Articles tagged with Estuaries
A new model pinpoints sources of nitrogen pollution in Long Island Sound, helping municipalities identify actions to alleviate it. The tool, developed by UConn ecologist Jamie Vaudrey, shows the impact of different actions on nitrogen runoff and provides a detailed analysis of 116 estuaries, rivers, and harbors.
Wild barramundi populations are likely to be seriously affected by ocean acidification, which can impact fish that only spend a short time in the ocean. The study's findings have significant implications for fishing industries and ecosystem health.
A new study suggests that estuaries like the Chesapeake Bay could be a significant source of atmospheric methane, potentially more so than previously thought. Methane release is linked to eutrophication and anoxia in these bodies of water.
A study of Coos Bay found it is currently free of hypoxic conditions, thanks to its narrow offshore shelf and dredged ship channel. However, as the climate warms, the bay's flushing action may be disrupted, leading to increased risk of oxygen depletion.
Research found beaver-created ponds can remove 5-45% of nitrogen from water, reducing the risk of algal blooms and low oxygen levels. The study's findings suggest a new perspective on the ecological benefits of beavers in the region.
Researchers at UNH have developed a new method to identify the nursery grounds of winter flounder using otoliths, revealing regional groupings for stocks from Cape Cod to New Jersey. This technology could help restore plummeting populations along the East Coast and protect essential habitats.
A new letter published in the journal Science suggests that a controversial terminal project in the Skeena River estuary poses far-reaching risks, including harm to juvenile salmon populations. The study found that the proposed development area supports unusually high abundances of juvenile salmon from over 40 populations.
A study of Elkhorn Slough and Monterey Bay found that nutrient runoff from land use leads to low oxygen levels, affecting fish populations and commercial fisheries. The research suggests improvements in land management could benefit estuaries and fisheries.
A new study reveals three regional mysteries about blue mussels in the Northeast coast, including generation gaps and predator activity. The research suggests that mussels can be a good sentinel species for rocky shores but requires more knowledge about their behavior in different estuarine settings.
A new study by Duke University researchers suggests that water-quality trading programs can significantly lower costs of achieving Clean Water Act goals. By allowing polluters to buy, sell or trade credits, these programs can reduce pollution in river basins and estuaries faster and at a lower cost than requiring facilities to meet com...
A comprehensive look at America's estuaries reveals human activities impact ecosystems and fishing resources, providing a framework for managers to address priorities and allocate funding.
The U-Michigan Water Center is joining the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to oversee research at a nationwide network of 28 coastal reserves. The program aims to improve stewardship of economically significant estuaries facing water-quality degradation, habitat loss, and climate change.
A new study suggests that oyster aquaculture can remove nearly half of the incoming nutrients from the Potomac River estuary if only 15-20% of its bottom is cultivated. This approach could provide a solution to long-term water quality problems and promote ecosystem balance.
Research reveals endocrine disrupting chemicals cause feminization in male thick-lipped grey mullet; 60-91% of males show vitellogenin and Aromatase Cyp19a1b gene expression, indicating feminization. Estuaries across Basque coast show high levels of pollutants contributing to the phenomenon.
Researchers at Duke University documented dramatic short-term increases in a North Carolina estuary's acidity, exceeding global predictions and potentially harming shelled organisms. The study highlights the need to consider multiple environmental variables to predict ocean acidification effects.
A new Dartmouth study reveals toxic metals from an open-pit mine in Maine's Goose Pond estuary are spreading into nearby sediment, water, and fish, affecting the regional marine food web. Elevated levels of copper, zinc, cadmium, and lead were found, posing a potential health risk to humans who consume seafood from these areas.
Research reveals that female migratory shorebirds can forage deeper into estuary mud than males, allowing them to access larger prey. Human impacts on estuaries may have different effects on males and females, depending on the availability of certain prey sizes.
Researchers found artificial light from industrial areas influences the foraging behavior of common redshanks, allowing them to forage more efficiently at night. This contradicts previous studies that reported negative effects of light pollution on wildlife.
Researchers will track nutrient water quality and examine pollution levels when sediments are stirred up by storms, creating a statistical model to inform policy decisions. The study aims to understand the role of storms in transferring excess phosphates and nitrates from rivers into coastal seas.
A recent study found that rain affects waterbird communities in urban estuaries, influencing their populations and diversity. Heavy rainfall leads to increased nutrient runoff, reducing small invertebrate populations and changing the dynamics of waterbird communities.
A University of Delaware oceanographer found trace amounts of radioactive iodine in the Delaware River, providing a new way to study substance travel through rivers to the ocean. The contaminant enters waterways via wastewater treatment systems and has a half-life of eight days.
Researchers found a 100-fold weakening in coastal ecosystems' ability to sequester carbon since European settlement, coinciding with industrial expansion and nitrogen deposition. Estuaries, natural global carbon sinks, are at risk of diminishing their ability to mitigate climate change.
Researchers at the University of Montreal developed a computer program to evaluate tradeoffs between marine mammal conservation, whale watching, and marine transportation. The model simulates the comings and goings of five whale species and three types of boats, allowing regulators to make data-driven decisions to reduce collisions and...
Nadia Bhuiyan and Yves Gélinas, two Concordia professors, have received NSERC Discovery Accelerator Supplement awards to advance their research in lean manufacturing and coastal aquatic ecosystems. The awards will support Bhuiyan's study on product development and Gélinas' research on estuaries and microbial composition.
Researchers found that copepod carcasses play a crucial role in understanding oceanic food webs. Non-predatory mortality accounted for over 10% of all copepod deaths, providing insights into the fate of these tiny crustaceans.
A three-year study on the Nauset Marsh Estuary's red tide problem begins next week. The researchers will collect water samples and analyze them for concentrations of toxic algae to better understand environmental factors influencing the incidence of red tides.
The Estero de Domingo Rubio wetland is polluted with heavy metals and pesticides, affecting its water quality and ecosystem. The study highlights the need for greater control over agrochemicals and industrial waste to prevent contamination.
A new study is exploring the effects of the Gulf oil spill on oyster reefs along the US East Coast, with a focus on guiding future restoration efforts. The research aims to understand how predators and climate influence estuarine health in natural oyster reefs.
Research confirms the transfer of zinc, cadmium, and copper from water to fish tissues in Huelva estuary. The study found positive correlations between metal levels in water and fish tissues, highlighting the impact of pollution on commercially important species.
A new NOAA report reveals widespread contamination of US coastal waters with Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs), a common flame retardant used in commercial goods since the 1970s. Elevated levels were found near urban and industrial centers, posing health concerns to humans and aquatic life.
Researchers are fitting lobsters with transmitters to track their migrations year-round, providing more accurate information about juvenile lobster sources and interactions between populations. The study aims to improve management of the economically valuable fishery, allowing lobsters to remain a staple in New England cuisine.
Researchers found contaminated offspring with underdeveloped brains, inadequate energy supplies, and dysfunctional livers. The study's findings have implications for human health, as the estuary is a primary water source for California.
Researchers from Penn State and University of Maryland studied Chesapeake Bay's salinity changes due to sea-level rise. They found an increasing trend in salinity, supporting the hypothesis that climate change is impacting the Bay's ecosystem.
A new study by Professor Grace Brush highlights the negative impact of fertilizer use on water quality and fish populations in Chesapeake Bay. The imbalanced nitrogen cycle has led to eutrophication, reducing oxygen concentrations and affecting aquatic life.
Researchers found that natural systems can rebound quickly after hurricanes, while human-made infrastructure and ecosystems are more vulnerable. The study also showed that storm characteristics, such as intensity and direction, play a significant role in environmental damage.
A new study quantifies the magnitude and causes of ecological change in 12 estuaries and coastal seas worldwide, documenting severe degradation and loss of marine biodiversity. The research highlights the importance of mitigating human activities to recover these critical ecosystems.
UNH researcher Ray Grizzle is restoring oyster reefs in the Great Bay estuarine system to promote water quality, support marine life, and provide habitat for sport fishes. His research explores optimal reef restoration techniques using disease-resistant young oysters and recycled shells.
Peter A. Raymond, Yale assistant professor of ecosystem ecology, has received the 2005 Cronin Award for his research on rivers, estuaries, and coastal systems' role in carbon budgets. He studies climate and land use's impact on river carbon transfer and collaboration with researchers on air-water CO2 exchange.
The study models seasonal distribution of BOD and DIN to identify areas at greatest risk for low water quality. Unmanaged shrimp mariculture development leads to increased BOD and DIN, causing oxygen depletion and harming aquatic life.
Research on the Columbia River and estuary focuses on dredge entrainment, toxic compounds, and ecological impacts from Hanford nuclear materials production. Studies reveal loss estimates for Dungeness crab, elevated levels of toxic compounds in sediments, and effects on fall Chinook salmon survival and development.
A team of scientists found that the estuaries were resilient and recovered quickly from the storms, with most shellfish and finfish populations returning to normal. However, blue crabs took longer to recover due to overfishing and floodwaters disrupting their migration patterns.
A University of Arizona researcher estimates that Colorado River water divertions result in a $2.4 billion annual loss to society, primarily due to the absence of natural flood control and wastewater treatment. The study suggests including an environmental impact fee in water prices to support ecosystem restoration in the delta.
A study using earstones reveals that both totoaba and gulf corvina rely on brackish water in the Colorado River estuary for their early life, which is now threatened by freshwater diversion. The research provides evidence of human impact on these species' decline.
A study found that warmer water temperatures increase shrimp predation rates on juvenile winter flounder, leading to local extinction. The warming trend may explain the failure of winter flounder stocks to recover in affected areas.
The Hudson River Estuary has largely stopped filling in with new sediment, except for specific locations, according to researchers. The estuary's sedimentation rate is approximately 1mm per year, matching the rate of sea level rise.
The Severn Estuary Partnership has received £150,000 funding to improve and develop sustainable access to and around the estuary. The project aims to boost local economies by promoting local produce and enhance nature conservation values.
The presentation highlights the impacts of major water restrictions and efforts toward community communication during severe droughts. Researchers explore the management of freshwater inflow criteria for affected regions, examining vulnerability to aquatic resources and allocation of water resources in South Africa.
A team of scientists at the University of Rhode Island tested shallow marine systems' response to increased nutrients, focusing on eelgrass survival. They found that rapid leaf elongation and low root growth can indicate a poor prognosis for bed survival in these ecosystems.
Researchers used radium isotopes to measure seasonal changes in groundwater supply, finding highest input in summer and lowest in winter. This study provides valuable data on groundwater supply, crucial for addressing increasing water demands.
A new molecular study challenges the long-held idea that Pfiesteria piscicida, a toxic algae, causes coastal fish kills and health problems. The study found no evidence of complex life cycle stages or neurotoxin associated with fish kills.
The University of Southern Mississippi has received a $6 million grant from the EPA to conduct research on coastal waters using bioindicators. The four-year project will measure estuary health and develop predictive indicators for coastal managers.
Researchers have developed a uniform methodology to measure carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus levels in estuaries, revealing the relative health of coastal waters. The data show that some estuaries, like Tokyo Bay, have significantly higher nutrient loads than others, such as the Chesapeake Bay.
The Mid-Atlantic Regional Assessment of climate change impacts identifies severe consequences for the region's population and ecosystems. The study finds that rising temperatures, sea-level rise, and extreme weather events will have devastating effects on agriculture, water resources, and coastal communities.
Research suggests that estuaries are vital habitats for juvenile fish in the Southeastern US, providing better sanctuaries and food supplies than offshore waters. Degradation of estuarine habitats due to human activities, such as overfishing and nutrient pollution, threatens the productivity of fisheries.
Scientists have documented the invasion of a single-celled amoeba-like organism, Trochammina hadai, into San Francisco Bay, raising concerns about the impact on native species and ecosystem. The introduction of exotic microorganisms is a growing problem in US waters, with potential consequences for harbors and waterways.