The International Bathymetric Chart of the Southern Ocean v2 provides the most detailed seafloor map of the region, with new data covering twice the area of its predecessor. This chart will help scientists better understand ocean currents and climate change.
Diatoms, responsible for 40% of ocean plant biomass production, are declining due to ocean acidification. This decline can lead to nutrient scarcity in surface waters and disrupt marine food webs. Global simulations predict a loss of up to 27% silica in surface waters by 2200.
Researchers at MBARI use eDNA and autonomous underwater robots to survey marine biodiversity, providing clues about changes in sensitive areas and the presence of rare species. The technology enables persistent monitoring of ocean ecosystems, supporting food webs and regulating climate.
New research suggests that 62% of warming in the subtropical North Atlantic is stored in the deep ocean below 700m. The study estimates a further 0.2°C warming in the next 50 years due to climate change.
The world's ocean is losing its year-to-year memory due to global warming, making it harder to predict ocean conditions. This decline in ocean memory will have significant impacts on fisheries management, population estimates, and land-based weather forecasts.
Research reveals that tropospheric ozone contributes more to the Southern Ocean's warming than previously thought. This finding highlights the importance of reducing air pollution to mitigate ocean heat uptake and climate change.
A Scripps Oceanography-led study predicts that climate change is making surface ocean currents faster and thinner, affecting global nutrient transport and carbon removal. This change can have a ripple effect on the ocean's ability to remove heat from the atmosphere.
Research by University of Washington reveals that ice shards in Southern Ocean clouds increase the amount of sunlight absorbed by the ocean's surface. The study found a significant impact on temperature, with differences of 10 Watts per square meter between models including and excluding ice formation.
Floating microplastics from European rivers are found to accumulate in parts of the Arctic Ocean, Nordic Seas, and Baffin Bay. The study's model predicts that these particles have been circulating throughout the Arctic for at least ten years, highlighting concerns for Arctic ecosystems' health.
A new study by Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences reveals that microbial life in the ocean is adapting to warmer conditions, maintaining vital processes despite climate change. The research found that carbon export was maintained as phytoplankton populations declined due to other small organisms taking up the slack.
Researchers assess predictive skills of ocean heat content in two state-of-the-art seasonal forecasting systems, finding potential to predict sub-surface warming up to two seasons in advance. This could aid mitigation of extreme events and provide early warnings for industries such as aquaculture and fishing.
Researchers from Texas A&M University have discovered past methane release in the Southern Ocean during a peak glaciation 23 million years ago. This finding suggests that ancient methane gas hydrates could contribute to ocean acidification and low oxygen levels, similar to recent environmental issues in the Gulf of Mexico.
A study led by Monterey Bay Aquarium reveals more than half of the ocean surface has experienced extreme heat since 2014, posing a threat to marine ecosystems. The research found that these heat extremes increase the risk of collapse for crucial ecosystems like coral reefs and kelp forests.
Researchers measured oxygen transport in deep ocean currents, finding that half of atmospheric oxygen is injected into boundary current over 5 months. The findings have implications for climate models and the impact of Arctic changes on the Labrador Sea's 'breathing' process.
University of Delaware professors Wei-Jun Cai and David Kirchman have been named AAAS Fellows for their important contributions to STEM fields. Cai was recognized for his work on the global carbon cycle and ocean acidification, while Kirchman was honored for his research on marine biosciences and microbial ecology.
Research reveals that intense storms in the Southern Ocean increase ocean mixing, bringing carbon dioxide-rich waters to the surface and driving an outgassing of CO2 into the atmosphere. This process has significant implications for understanding global climate models and predicting future climate change.
Researchers from Uppsala University found that ocean productivity declined rapidly 4.6 million years ago in tropical regions, likely caused by reduced East Asian monsoon intensity and decreased riverine nutrient supply, coinciding with changes in the Earth's orbit.
The upper ocean has reached record-breaking temperatures for the sixth consecutive year, with the latest data showing a significant increase in heat content. This warming trend is primarily driven by human-induced climate change, which affects ocean acidification and marine life.
A new study led by NCAR finds that the Southern Ocean absorbs significantly more carbon than it releases, clarifying its role as a carbon sink. Airborne measurements of carbon dioxide reveal critical patterns in the global carbon cycle, providing insights into climate change projections and emission reduction measures.
Ocean predators survive on small, scattered areas of food rather than average concentrations found in the water. Acoustic tools reveal dynamic layered maps of ocean life by interpreting echoes from sound pulses, providing insights into how animals adapt to find and exploit resources.
Scientists have detected a significant acceleration of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC), the only ocean current that circumnavigates the planet. The study found that climate change is causing the ACC to speed up, with prevailing westerly winds energizing ocean eddies and facilitating property exchange between ocean basins.
A study reconstructed ocean warming history in the Arctic Ocean, finding it began rapidly warming at the start of the 20th century due to Atlantification from the Atlantic Ocean. This warming has led to sea ice retreat and salinity increases.
A new study suggests that the tectonic opening of Southern Ocean seaways led to a sudden cooling event 34 million years ago, contributing to the formation of Antarctic ice sheets. High-resolution simulations showed that this event caused a dramatic drop in coastal temperatures and initiated the Earth's transition into an Icehouse world.
A new study projects that more than eight million tons of pandemic-associated plastic waste have been generated globally, with over 25,000 tons entering the global ocean. The research highlights the need for improved medical waste management in developing countries and calls for global action to reduce plastic pollution.
Researchers found that most coralline algae are negatively impacted by ocean acidification, with decreases in abundance and calcification rates. However, some species, like those in the family Mesophyllumaceae, appear to be more resilient to ocean acidification.
A new study published in Nature suggests that rainwater is not the primary deposition vector of oceanic mercury, but rather the ocean itself absorbs mercury through gas exchange. The research also indicates that the ocean receives less atmospheric mercury than previously estimated.
A new study led by the University of Miami Rosenstiel School found that changes in ocean salinity due to a more intensified water cycle lead to reduced surface warming. This phenomenon enhances ocean heat uptake into the deep ocean, moderating the pace of global warming.
The Copernicus Ocean State Report reveals record low Arctic ice levels, with a 90% reduction in average sea ice thickness in the Barents Sea. The report also highlights extreme variability in ocean temperatures and oxygen levels, posing significant challenges for marine ecosystems.
Researchers found daily and seasonal fluctuations in chemical conditions despite long-term ocean acidification trends. Massive cycles occur every five to 10 years, causing extreme events that stress sensitive organisms.
Researchers tracked insect evolution with major Pacific Ocean currents, revealing species adapted to different conditions. Genetic analysis of ocean skaters found distinct variations among species, mirroring changes in currents and climate.
A study published in Scientific Reports suggests that between 10.3% and 82% of the global ocean may experience new climates with higher temperatures and lower aragonite saturation by 2100. The disappearance of these climates could force marine species to adapt rapidly or disappear.
The deployment of thousands of autonomous robots called BGC-Argo floats is transforming our understanding of marine primary productivity on a global scale. By measuring oxygen production over time, researchers can estimate net primary productivity and shed light on the ocean's role in storing carbon.
A new study led by Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences suggests that the balance of chemical elements in plankton is primarily dependent on the ratio of nitrogen and phosphorus supplied from the subsurface ocean. This discovery could improve the accuracy of computer models used to forecast ocean change.
A new review paper assesses heat and freshwater changes in the Indian Ocean, finding some consistent responses to anthropogenic global warming. However, observational records are still too short to distinguish natural variability from man-made changes.
A new model developed by Newcastle University's researchers tracks the vertical movement of algae-covered microplastic particles, identifying processes that underpin their trajectories. The study shows that particle properties and algal population dynamics determine the movement of microplastics below the ocean surface.
A study published in Nature Communications found that nearly all nitrogen that fertilizes life in the open ocean of the Gulf of Mexico originates from coastal waters. This discovery is crucial for understanding the food web and survival of commercially valuable species like Atlantic bluefin tuna.
Researchers developed a method to identify areas with smoother waters as indicative of microplastic presence, leveraging CYGNSS satellite data. This technique demonstrates the potential for tracking ocean microplastics from space.
New research suggests that artificial ocean alkalinization can offset ten years of projected acidification in the Great Barrier Reef. The study used a high-resolution model to simulate the impact of alkalinity injection on the reef's acidity, finding that it could sequester 35,000 tons of carbon per year and alleviate the effects of oc...
A new report identifies four major barriers to financing a sustainable ocean economy, including weak enabling environment and insufficient public-private investment. Governments, financial institutions, and other players can make financial gains with sustainable ocean investments.
Researchers found that adding aluminum to seawater increases net carbon fixation of marine diatoms by 10-30%, improving the ocean's ability to absorb CO2. This process can significantly increase the ocean's carbon sink capacity and sequester carbon for long periods, aiding climate change mitigation.
A new study has reduced the Southern Ocean's CO2 uptake uncertainty by 50% using a novel method that constrains the ocean's carbon sink. The approach links human-made CO2 uptake to surface water salinity, allowing for more accurate projections of future climate change.
Researchers at FSU's Center for Ocean-Atmospheric Prediction Studies have developed a new virtual tool to track marine litter in the ocean. The tool provides insights into where mismanaged plastic waste is released and ends up, informing policies and regulations to mitigate its impact.
The Red Sea is now considered a mature ocean basin, approximately 13 million years old, with features similar to those of the young southern Atlantic Ocean. The study uses gravity and earthquake data to develop a new tectonic model, revealing hidden structures such as rift axes and transform faults.
A new study suggests that microplastic ingestion by zooplankton can significantly affect the marine ecosystem's nutrient cycling and oxygen levels. Even low concentrations of microplastics can lead to a strong impact on ecosystems.
The Ocean and Climate Innovation Accelerator (OCIA) consortium aims to advance knowledge of the ocean's role in combating climate change and develop new solutions. The consortium will focus on advancing the 'networked ocean' concept, placing sensors across oceanic environments to monitor critical metrics.
A new study reveals that ocean oxygen depletion will continue for centuries if all CO2 emissions were stopped immediately, more than quadrupling the current loss. The long-term decrease in oxygen primarily affects deeper layers, leading to major shifts in marine ecosystems and potentially changing habitats.
Researchers have reconstructed ocean temperatures over the past 700,000 years using ice core samples from Antarctica, finding that mean ocean temperatures have fluctuated by up to 3°C between ice ages and warm periods.
A new study examines the feasibility of ocean alkalinization to simultaneously address global warming and ocean acidification. The research reveals that nearly doubling the carbon-dioxide uptake rate of the Mediterranean Sea after 30 years could mitigate climate change and counteract acidification.
Scientists predict ocean currents on Enceladus, driven by salinity variations like those in Earth's Southern Ocean. The research suggests a pole-to-equator circulation influencing heat and nutrient distribution.
Research conducted by CNRS and international collaborators reveals that climate change has made the ocean six times stabler over the past 50 years. This increased stability limits oceanic mixing, making it harder for marine organisms to access light and for the ocean to function as a global thermostat.
Researchers from Bigelow Laboratory discovered that copepods gather around small vortexes in the ocean, affecting the food web. These tiny vortexes have significant implications for understanding copepod behavior and their impact on marine ecosystems.
Iron, a micronutrient crucial for phytoplankton, is being released from deep ocean sediments, providing a new source of nutrition for drifting marine organisms. This finding challenges previous expectations and has significant implications for studying the ocean carbon cycle and managing the marine environment.
An international team of researchers has discovered a new type of basalt beneath the Pacific Ocean, which was formed during large and exceptionally hot volcanic eruptions. The discovery suggests that ocean floor eruptions sourced in the Earth's mantle were even hotter and more voluminous than previously thought.
A new study published in Nature reveals that transform faults are actively involved in shaping the ocean floors, contradicting a previous assumption. The research found that these faults cause extension of the seafloor and magmatism at their outer corners.
A groundbreaking global study maps ocean areas that, if strongly protected, can help solve climate, food and biodiversity crises. The research identified specific regions that could provide multiple benefits, including safeguarding nearly 80% of marine species and preventing the release of one billion tons of CO2 into the ocean.
A comprehensive study identifies specific ocean areas that must be protected to safeguard over 80% of endangered marine species' habitats and boost fishing catches. The research also finds that trawling is pumping hundreds of millions of tons of carbon dioxide into the ocean every year, highlighting the need for strict protection.
Researchers analyzed fossilized shells to reconstruct Earth's climate during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum, a period of abrupt global warming and ocean acidification. The study found that foraminifera consumed less alkalinity from seawater to buffer increasing ocean acidity.
A study found that warming in the Indian Ocean led to extreme monsoon rainfall and Yangtze River flooding in 2020. The researchers used a global atmospheric model and observed data to predict the excessive rainfall, which was mainly caused by temperature anomalies in the Indian Ocean.
A new study uses a high-resolution ocean model to track the migration of baby sea turtles in their 'lost years'. The model shows that hatchlings are swept towards regions with favorable food availability, increasing their chances of survival. This research provides insights into the critical stages of sea turtle conservation efforts.
Sea butterflies are already experiencing difficulties building their shells due to ocean acidification, which will worsen in the future. They shift from growing thicker and larger shells to investing more in becoming larger, posing a major problem for local sea life that depend on them for food.