Researchers discovered that marine snail larvae control their swimming speed by shifting the position of their velar lobes, exhibiting complex neuromuscular control. The larvae can vary their speed from one body length per second to four body lengths per second within a single day.
A new study by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution researchers documents the historic sediment record along the Danube River delta and offers simple and inexpensive strategies to maintain delta environments. The team analyzed sediment cores and found that mimicking natural distributaries can help keep sediment on flood plains, rather ...
Scientists studied Yangtze finless porpoise hearing using medical technology to understand impact of constant shipping and construction on their critical sense of hearing. The research revealed variations in hearing sensitivity among different species, with implications for effective management strategies.
The OceanCube Observatories are designed to understand changes in species, nutrients, and energy within a controlled cube-shaped volume of water. The system provides real-time data on temperature, salinity, and other chemical, biological, and physical data critical to understanding coral reef ecosystem health.
The QPE team studied the impact of Typhoon Morakot on the East China Sea, examining freshwater run-off, upwelling, and biogeochemistry. They also investigated internal waves, measuring their size, shape, and direction using sonar to track plankton movement.
Scientists have discovered a vast plume of iron and micronutrients in the South Atlantic Ocean, challenging previous estimates of iron sources in the world's seas. The finding has profound implications for understanding ocean life and Earth's climate as it suggests that slow-spreading ridges may be a significant source of iron.
The first global atlas of marine plankton catalogues an estimated 100 trillion individual organisms, revealing surprising similarities in phytoplankton and zooplankton biomass. The open-source database will aid conservation efforts and inform computer models to predict climate change impacts.
Researchers from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and University of California, Santa Barbara, used a patented method to fingerprint chemical makeup of oil sheens and estimate source based on evaporation of gasoline-like compounds. The study confirms that the Deepwater Horizon debris is the likely source of Gulf of Mexico oil sheens.
Researchers found that a transient 'perfect storm' of nutrients and light led to the brief bloom of phytoplankton 14,000 years ago. The study resolves conflicting ideas about the relationship between iron and biological productivity in the North Pacific, with implications for geo-engineering efforts to curb climate change.
A new study reveals that healthy Red Sea corals harbor bacterial communities deep within their tissues, including the previously unknown species Endozoicomonas. This symbiotic relationship is believed to aid the coral's nutrient recycling, contributing to its overall health and survival.
Researchers found at least 1000 types of bacterial cells on plastic debris, including autotrophs, heterotrophs, and symbionts. The plastisphere may alter ocean ecosystems and transport harmful microbes, sparking concerns about its impact on marine life.
Researchers found evidence of actively metabolizing and proliferating bacteria, archaea, and fungi in the deep biosphere, with implications for global biogeochemical cycles. The study revealed diverse biochemical pathways and movement mechanisms, including flagellar-driven locomotion and gliding.
Scientists from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution provide a new model for understanding the geological source of silent earthquakes along California's San Andreas fault. Creep events originate closer to the surface, a shallower source along the fault, according to the study published in Nature Geoscience.
A new study reveals that squid are vulnerable to acidic conditions in the ocean, which could have far-reaching effects on the ecosystem. The research found that squid reared in more acidic seawater were smaller, had misshapen statoliths, and took longer to develop.
Scientists discovered that foraminifera may be responsible for the decline of stromatolites and the emergence of thrombolites. The researchers found evidence of foraminifera in both types of structures, suggesting a possible link between their disappearance and appearance.
Scientists attached a device to entangled whales, showing how fishing lines change their behavior and deplete energy. The study highlights the dangers of added drag and buoyancy from fishing gear, posing significant threats to whales' ability to eat, migrate, and survive.
A new study published in Nature Geoscience investigates the ability of climate models to simulate tropical climate change by analyzing preserved geological evidence from the Last Glacial Maximum. The research reveals that only one model reproduces the rainfall patterns found from the geological evidence, with implications for simulatin...
Researchers used ancient DNA to reconstruct past plankton communities in the Black Sea, shedding light on climate-driven changes and human impact. The study found that marine ecosystems are highly sensitive to climate change and human disturbances.
Researchers from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and NOAA's ECOHAB program have developed a testing protocol that allows fishermen to safely harvest surf clams and ocean quahogs on Georges Bank. The shellfish industry can now produce up to 1 million bushels of product annually, valued at $10-15 million.
Research reveals Ganges river dolphins produce low-intensity echolocation signals at surprising frequencies, while freshwater dolphins look for prey closer to home. The study provides a new perspective on the evolution of echolocation among toothed whales.
A 'moderate' red tide is expected in New England this spring and summer due to toxic algae Alexandrium fundyense. The forecast is based on cyst abundance data and toxicity records, with a range of bloom scenarios possible.
Lyme disease bacteria rely on manganese to make essential enzymes, evading immune system defenses that starve pathogens of iron. This discovery opens the door to new therapies targeting manganese, potentially improving disease detection and treatment.
A new study by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution identifies glaciers as a significant source of iron to the North Atlantic Ocean. The research found high concentrations of dissolved iron in meltwater from glaciers and ice sheets, which may fuel plankton growth during spring and summer.
US East Coast regions will be disproportionately affected by ocean acidification, with the Gulf of Maine being particularly vulnerable. The study found that waters with low alkalinity to DIC ratios are more susceptible to acidification, and the Labrador Coastal Current may contribute to this effect.
Researchers studied paleoclimate data to understand historical patterns of aridity in Eastern Africa, revealing a clear pattern of dry and wet periods. Climate model simulations showed that sea surface temperatures in the Indian Ocean drive rainfall variations in East Africa.
Two ocean-going robots, equipped with acoustic monitoring instruments, detected nine endangered North Atlantic right whales in real-time. The gliders' data helped NOAA establish a dynamic management area, asking mariners to slow their vessel speed to avoid striking the animals.
Three WHOI projects will investigate the complex interactions between marine microbes, nutrients, and their environments using advanced technologies and methods. The grants aim to improve understanding of microbial communities and their impact on ocean health and productivity.
Darlene Ketten, a biologist at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, has been recognized as an AAAS Fellow for her work on the biophysics of hearing in mammals. She is also developing ultra-high resolution imaging techniques to diagnose hearing impairments.
A recent analysis of Japan fisheries data reveals that most fish caught off the northeast coast remain below seafood consumption limits, despite tightened regulations. However, highly contaminated demersal fish consistently show high levels of cesium contamination from the damaged nuclear power plant.
Scientists discovered a diversion of the Gulf Stream's path south of New England in late 2011, resulting in unusually high surface water temperatures and strong currents. The researchers found that the warm waters were carried by the Gulf Stream itself, rather than just transient warm core rings.
Researchers reconstruct 9,000-year record of delta's growth and find evidence of human impact on the entire Black Sea basin. The team finds that human deforestation and agriculture led to increased nutrient availability in the sea.
Researchers developed a method to analyze ear-bone 'tree rings' to track juvenile fish movements, revealing surprising plasticity and long-distance migrations between habitats. This study has important implications for management and protection of coral reefs.
Researchers found that whirlpools, or eddies, in the North Atlantic Ocean sustain phytoplankton growth, allowing them to thrive in shallower waters with ample sunlight. This discovery helps explain the timing and patchy appearance of the massive spring blooms.
The new titanium personnel sphere has been successfully tested to withstand the extreme pressures of 6500 meters, with sufficient data collected to support certification for human-occupied operations. The upgrade project is a significant step towards resuming ocean science missions with Alvin in the near future.
A new study predicts that global warming will lead to a significant decline in Emperor penguin populations by 2040, with only 500-600 breeding pairs remaining by 2100. The melting of sea ice will disrupt the penguins' food source and breeding habits.
Researchers found a massive under-ice phytoplankton bloom in the Arctic, with levels four times greater than neighboring ice-free waters. The bloom extended over 100 kilometers and was fueled by transient skylights and nutrient-rich deep waters.
Researchers found a key protein, CBA1, that enables marine algae to capture vitamin B12 from seawater. This discovery has significant implications for the marine food web and climate, as well as potential industrial and therapeutic applications.
A new study combines archaeology and geoscience to reveal that climate change was a key factor in the collapse of the ancient Indus civilization around 4000 years ago. The research suggests that weakened monsoon rains led to reduced river dynamics, contributing to the decline of cities and the shift towards small farming communities.
Scientists from WHOI conducted a new study measuring carbon levels at various depths in the Arctic Ocean. The data will help researchers understand how carbon cycles through the marine ecosystem and respond to rising global temperatures.
Climate change could cause ocean currents to operate in a surprising way, mitigating the warming near Pacific island coral reefs. These islands may become isolated refuges for corals and fish, thanks to enhanced upwelling processes driven by the Equatorial Undercurrent.
A new study published in The Anatomical Record reveals that some baleen whales have specialized fats associated with their jaws, similar to those found in toothed whales. This discovery sheds light on the auditory anatomy of these animals and challenges previous assumptions about their hearing systems.
A moderate bloom could cause the closure of shellfish beds along an estimated 126-250 miles of coastline. The forecast is based on computer simulations modeling meteorological and oceanographic conditions that impact the size of the bloom.
An international research team found elevated levels of radioactive substances in the Pacific Ocean, reflecting the complex nature of the marine environment. While levels of radioactivity in marine life were below concern for humans and organisms, long-term impacts on the ecosystem remain unclear.
The Hadal Ecosystem Studies program will conduct detailed studies of life in major deep ocean trenches, comparing findings between trenches around the world. Researchers aim to unravel how organisms have evolved to survive in extreme environments.
Researchers find stressed corals and brown flocculent material at depths of up to 4,300 feet, contradicting initial assumption that such ecosystems are immune to surface spills. The study's findings suggest the Deepwater Horizon spill had a more far-reaching impact than previously thought.
A new study reveals that the Indian monsoon has undergone significant changes over the last few millennia, from a steady humid monsoon to extended periods of drought. The research provides insights into the impact of the monsoon on past cultures and could help model future monsoons.
Researchers will monitor the Cascadia subduction zone's strain buildup using a new seafloor geodesy observatory. This data will aid in modeling fault slip and predicting tsunami heights, ultimately informing city planners and emergency response managers.
John Waterbury, a WHOI scientist emeritus, has been awarded the NAS Gilbert Morgan Smith Medal for his path-breaking discovery and characterization of ecologically important marine microorganisms. This achievement marked major advances in understanding marine food webs and nutrient cycling in ocean ecosystems.
A WHOI study found that mysterious honeycomb material in the Gulf of Mexico came from a buoyancy module on the Deepwater Horizon rig. The researchers used chemical forensics to confirm the source and tracked the debris's trajectory, showing it was ahead of the spreading oil slick due to leeway principles.
Louis St. Laurent of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution received the 2012 Nicholas P. Fofonoff Award for his groundbreaking research on small-scale mixing processes and dynamical processes involved. The award recognizes his fundamental contributions to understanding ocean dynamics.