Researchers found evidence of coincident timing between ancient Salton Sea flooding and fault rupture, potentially triggering large earthquakes on the southern San Andreas Fault. The study suggests heightened preparedness for a major quake immediately following smaller quakes in the stepover zone is warranted.
Researchers from the University of Southampton have discovered a way to track Atlantic salmon's feeding grounds in the North Atlantic. By analyzing the chemistry of their scales, scientists can now identify where individual rivers' salmon migrate to feed, revealing surprising differences in their ocean experiences.
Researchers have pinned down the timing of the Paleocene-Eocene thermal maximum (PETM), an ancient global warming event that occurred around 56 million years ago. The study suggests that the event was triggered by a different mechanism, possibly related to volcanism, rather than cyclic variations in Earth's orbit.
Researchers from British Antarctic Survey discovered that copepods use a remarkable transformation of their oily body fluids to adjust buoyancy, similar to whales' 'diver's weight belt'. This adaptation allows copepods to overwinter in deep waters without wasting energy on constant swimming.
A new study reveals that jellyfish blooms drastically alter marine food webs by shunting food energy toward bacteria. This shift can lead to a detour of energy away from higher trophic levels and towards bacteria, altering the microbial community composition.
The UK Ocean Acidification research programme aims to study the impact of changing CO2 levels on marine organisms and ecosystems. The cruise will conduct experiments using tanks of natural seawater collected from the sea, subjecting them to various levels of carbon dioxide that may occur in the future.
Researchers found that ancient global warming, known as the Palaeocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM), saw slower rate of carbon emissions compared to current levels. The study suggests that humankind's carbon footprint may be accelerating modern climate change.
The West Coast high-frequency radar network, operated by Scripps Institution of Oceanography, provides kilometer-scale current observations out to 150 kilometers offshore and 2,500 kilometers of shoreline. This network allows for the determination of geographic differences in coastal surface circulation and characterization of phenomen...
Researchers found that penguins' muscles have sufficient oxygen to sustain dives for up to 20 minutes, contrary to earlier theories. The team's discovery reveals a surprising efficiency in the birds' underwater metabolism.
Researchers argue that increased discussion is needed to monitor the ecological effects of human activities on deep-sea ecosystems. Advances in underwater monitoring equipment enable real-time data sharing, facilitating sustainable resource use and early warning systems.
Researchers found that Antarctic icebergs enrich the Southern Ocean with iron-rich sediment, fertilizing microscopic algae that absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This process transfers carbon into the deep sea, potentially impacting global climate models.
Researchers at UC San Diego and Scripps Institute of Oceanography used matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry to reveal multiplex microbial interactions. The technique allowed them to see competition for resources, secretion of molecules altering neighboring organisms' phenotypes.
Researchers have discovered that pyrite nanoparticles from hydrothermal vents are a significant source of iron for ocean life, with the ability to travel long distances and form a potentially important food source. These nanoparticles are dispersed into the ocean rather than falling to the bottom due to their small size.
A team of researchers has deciphered the genome of a tropical marine organism, Lyngbya majuscula 3L, which produces substances with biomedical promise. The study provides insights into the genetics underlying their production and reveals key information about its limitations and shortcomings.
The new miniature sensors, developed by University of Southampton researchers, can measure ocean temperature and salinity with high precision. The sensors will be tested on an expedition from Australia to Mauritius, providing valuable information about climate change.
Researchers at University of Washington and Stanford University report turbulence at a front near Japan, 10-20 times more energetic than wind generated. This finding provides first direct observations of an ocean front's dynamics on scales from kilometers to millimeters.
Researchers discovered Osedax living on tuna and wahoo bones, contradicting earlier assumptions. The study confirms Osedax as generalists that exploit various vertebrate bones, shedding light on their evolution.
Marine scientists compiled a directory of life on Australia's continental shelf, identifying 37 environmental factors shaping seabed life. The new maps and knowledge highlight complex patterns of biodiversity across the country's shelf habitats.
A recent study warns that human impacts on the Southern Ocean are degrading its unique ecology, threatening native fauna. The researchers highlight various human activities causing harm, including pollution, overfishing, and climate change, which are altering food webs and endangering species.
Research by the University of California - San Diego team discovered that icebergs cool and dilute ocean water, affecting phytoplankton distribution and carbon dioxide absorption. The findings suggest enhanced phytoplankton growth would increase carbon dioxide removal from the ocean.
Researchers discovered that Antarctic icebergs raise chlorophyll levels, increasing carbon dioxide absorption in the Southern Ocean. The findings indicate a new dimension to previous research on icebergs' role in polar ecosystems and global carbon cycling.
Researchers have reanalyzed Stanley Miller's 1958 'primordial soup' samples and found a diverse array of organic compounds, including sulfur amino acids. The discovery supports the hypothesis that volcanoes and lightning played a key role in creating the building blocks of life on Earth.
Researchers at Scripps Institution of Oceanography found evidence of ancient 'hyperthermals' - sudden global warming events that occurred tens of thousands of years ago, with impacts on marine life and ocean circulation.
A team of scientists discovered that shallow-water shrimp can tolerate extreme pressure and temperature conditions similar to those found in the deep sea. The study used the variable shrimp as a model species, finding it could withstand pressures beyond what would be expected in shallow water.
Researchers used satellite data to observe and monitor ice-edge blooms across the whole Arctic region. They found that ice-edge blooms occurred in all seasonally ice-covered areas and from spring to late summer.
Researchers found that algal secretions can increase ice salinity and create channels in ice, allowing algae to live and grow. This adaptation may help sea-ice algae thrive in a warmer climate.
Researchers at Scripps Institution of Oceanography found phytoplankton bloom timing has progressed up to 50 days earlier in the Arctic Ocean, with unknown impacts on the food chain. The shift may have consequences for the entire ecosystem and global carbon cycle.
Scientists have unraveled the environmental changes in the Arctic during an ancient bout of natural global warming. The Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) led to a 15-metre succession of sediment representing a 170,000-year event, with sea level peaking about 13,000 years into the period.
Researchers have discovered four new deep-sea vents in the Southern Ocean, challenging previous assumptions about their distribution and evolution. The vents, found near the South Sandwich Islands, support unique microbial communities and are part of a larger project to study ocean chemistry and life diversity.
Researchers reconstructed Arctic ocean conditions during Late Cretaceous greenhouse periods, finding periodicities matching modern Arctic climate influences. The findings suggest that natural modes of climate variability, such as ENSO and AO/NAO, may remain unchanged under global warming.
A comprehensive database analysis found a strong positive relationship between surface production and organic matter export, driving predicted patterns of seafloor biomass. Seafloor biomass is highest around the poles and equator due to nutrient-rich upwelling waters, while central abyssal plains exhibit consistently low values.
Researchers are developing new tools to analyze vast amounts of data from ocean sensors, cameras, and sonar. The collaboration aims to integrate and enhance this data to make it more easily consumable by scientists and the public.
Frank Millero, a leading expert in marine geochemistry, has been awarded the prestigious V.M. Goldschmidt Award for his major achievements in the field. His research focuses on understanding biogeochemical processes and the global carbon dioxide cycle in the world's oceans.
A multi-agency project investigates the effects of air pollution on California's precipitation, with research flights documenting cloud microphysics and aerosol impacts. The goal is to improve climate projections and planning for water and energy resources.
Researchers found people on ships are steadier when focusing on the horizon, unlike on land where they sway more when gazing far away. This phenomenon may help differentiate between body movement and ship movement, potentially predicting motion sickness.
Researchers have recorded a 0.15°C drop in subtropical Atlantic water temperature between 1998 and 2006, attributed to wind-induced circulation. This finding challenges climate change theories, highlighting the significance of ocean natural variability.
A major grant award of £3.3 million has been secured by a Southampton-led consortium project to study past and possible future sea-level rise. The researchers aim to obtain a better picture of how much and how quickly sea level may rise as a result of global warming.
The VIMS team is studying the Arctic coastal ecosystem, focusing on nutrient inputs and microbial community changes in response to climate change. Warmer temperatures, increased runoff, and larger ice-free areas may shift productivity from phytoplankton to bacteria, threatening native ecosystems.
According to Angelicque White, an assistant professor of oceanography at Oregon State University, the 'Great Garbage Patch' is less than 1% of Texas's geographic size. The amount of plastic in the North Pacific Ocean has not increased tenfold since the 1950s, contrary to previous claims.
A study found that growing hypoxic zones are reducing oxygen-rich waters preferred by billfish and tuna. The shrinking habitat may lead to increased catches, giving a false impression of more abundant fish stocks.
Marine scientists found that ocean acidification decreases nitrification rates globally, which could lead to reduced nitrous oxide emissions. This decrease may also shift the available form of dissolved nitrogen in surface oceans, favoring certain plant species.
Rapid turnover of lipid membranes enables phytoplankton to adapt to phosphorus scarcity, potentially supporting further growth when conditions improve. The process occurs within 24 hours and is a physiological response by individual cells.
Kieran T. Bhatia, a meteorology and physical oceanography doctoral student, has been awarded the 12th annual Alumni Fellow at the University of Miami's Rosenstiel School. The fellowship provides tuition and stipend support for his graduate career. Bhatia is working on research related to hurricane dynamics and development.
The Malaspina 2010 expedition aims to assess the impact of global change on the ocean and explore its biodiversity. Over 250 researchers will study temperature, salinity, and nutrient concentration in various ocean regions.
Researchers at Scripps Institution of Oceanography have discovered a unique defense mechanism in the clusterwink snail, which uses its shell to scatter and spread bright green bioluminescent light. The study found that this diffused light may be used to create an illusion of a larger animal, deterring predators.
A joint US-Swedish expedition will study the Amundsen Sea, one of Antarctica's least-explored bodies, to gauge climate change effects. The research aims to determine nutrient availability, phytoplankton blooms, and sea-ice coverage.
A 50-year study confirms an increase in jellyfish <i>Pelagia noctiluca</i> size and intensity due to warming winters and over-fishing. This proliferation affects fisheries, fish farming, and tourism with toxic effects from their tentacles.
Researchers identified a large colony of Siboglinidae tubeworms on the side of an underwater mountain in the Eastern Mediterranean. The discovery was made possible by a team of scientists ashore and the public watching live via internet, using high-definition video cameras and satellite telecommunications.
A team of scientists found that the abundance of metal-loving elements in Earth's, Moon's, and Mars' mantles were delivered by massive impactors during the final phase of planet formation. The largest impactor on Earth may have modified its obliquity by approximately 10 degrees.
Researchers measured carbon dioxide fluxes in the North Atlantic using an autonomous system, making nearly 4,000 flux measurements. The study found that formation of bubbles in breaking waves may increase gas transfer at high wind speeds.
Researchers reconstructed global sea level history over the last 21 thousand years using data from 400 high-quality markers. The study found a gradual rise of 1m/century interrupted by two periods with rapid 'jumps' of up to 2.5m/century, coinciding with climate warming and cooling events.
A research expedition is studying the movement of water in the Southern Ocean to understand the rate of horizontal and vertical mixing between different water layers. The study aims to quantify the rate of climate change by measuring the effects of ocean mixing on heat exchange, nutrient cycling, and atmospheric CO2 concentrations.
Researchers used LIDAR technology to measure changes in coastal morphology following a catastrophic series of landslides in Matata, New Zealand. The study found that debris flows sourced from the Awatarariki stream transported over 350,000 cubic meters of debris, and mapped sediment flow paths with high accuracy.
Researchers discovered toxic Pseudo-nitzschia algae producing domoic acid in vast Pacific regions, contrary to the proposed approach of adding iron to reduce global warming. This finding highlights the concern that iron enrichment can promote toxic blooms in open sea environments.
Researchers reconstruct carbon dioxide levels during the Middle Eocene Climatic Optimum, a 400,000-year period of extreme global warming. They found that atmospheric carbon dioxide levels doubled, leading to temperature increases of 4-6 degrees Celsius.
The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution will collaborate with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute to develop new tools for analyzing underwater imagery data sets, enhancing scientific knowledge of marine ecosystems. The project aims to address challenges in converting large datasets into actionable insights.
Newly published findings reveal king crabs' distribution is influenced by water temperature in the Southern Ocean. The thermal barrier limits their biogeographical distribution, and even small increases in temperature due to global warming could lead to their spread into new areas.
Dr Veerle Huvenne, a NOC marine geoscientist, has been awarded a major research grant to map complex deep-sea environments and study the biodiversity they support. The project, CODEMAP, aims to use state-of-the-art surveying methods to map habitat heterogeneity as a proxy for biodiversity.
The University of California, Davis is part of a consortium co-hosting the new Southwest Climate Science Center. Researchers say signs of climate change are prevalent in the region, including rising temperatures, earlier snowmelt, and increasing precipitation intensity.
A study led by Dr. Stuart Painter identifies five distinct water masses controlling coccolithophore blooms off the southeast coast of South America, highlighting the region's complexity and productivity. The research cruise measured salinity, chemistry, and nutrient levels, confirming that specific conditions foster bloom formation.