Articles tagged with Aquatic Ecosystems
Researchers have developed a technique to analyze DNA from water samples to track species, detect pollution, and monitor ecosystem health. The technology identifies DNA from various organisms, including fish, amphibians, mammals, and even leatherback sea turtles.
A study by University of Essex and NOAA Fisheries reveals that young Californian Chinook salmon are struggling due to extreme weather and habitat destruction. The research found that juvenile salmon thrive in wet conditions but face high mortality rates during winter storms, leading to 'river ghosts' dying unseen
A recent study by Chinese researchers has quantified lake carbon dioxide emissions in China, finding a significant increase of 24% over the past two decades. The study highlights the importance of high-resolution monitoring to refine lake carbon budgets and inform effective climate mitigation policies.
A new study reveals that freshwater fish are accumulating antidepressants, opioids, and other drugs of abuse in their bodies, which can alter their behavior, development, and reproduction. The research uses a novel analytical method to detect these substances in small fish living in rivers receiving urban wastewater.
The US Nature Assessment Report documents human impact on nature, including resource extraction and habitat loss, but also shows restoration and Indigenous stewardship approaches can help turn things around. The report highlights the importance of farmer involvement in protecting ecosystems and preserving biodiversity.
A study from the University of California, Davis, reveals that managed wetlands in Suisun Marsh produce 11-22 times more zooplankton than tidal habitats. Zooplankton are crucial for fish diets and increase in response to controlled floods.
Researchers at Tongji University have discovered that ferrihydrite is a highly effective mineral in trapping chromium and storing organic carbon. This finding has significant implications for environmental remediation, enabling the development of nature-based solutions to clean up contaminated mine soils while sequestering carbon.
Researchers found juvenile smalltooth sawfish showing strong site fidelity to the South Fork of the Saint Lucie River, spending up to 87% of their time within a 0.4 square kilometer area. This suggests that the Indian River Lagoon is once again functioning as a nursery for this endangered species.
A recent study on the 2021 North American heat wave reveals that some species, such as sea lettuce, were able to withstand the extreme temperatures, while others, like mussels and blueberry plants, suffered severe declines. The research highlights the importance of understanding these differing effects to prepare for future heat waves.
A recent study co-authored by NAU researchers found that fires in northern Canada have a net cooling effect when coupled with snowpack, but this is outweighed by the warming effects of permafrost carbon released from fires in Alaska. This highlights the need for land and fire managers to reconsider how wildland fires are managed.
A computer model identifies potential threats to over 10,000 freshwater species worldwide, offering a cost-effective way to safeguard species before they become endangered. The tool analyzes 52 variables, including damming, pollution, and habitat degradation, to recognize ecological patterns that benefit multiple species at once.
A new study explores how artificial lighting at night shapes ecological and genetic patterns of two closely related isopod species, Ligia laticarpa and L. furcata, in Tokyo Bay. The research reveals a clear ecological boundary between the two species, consistent with patterns of urban illumination.
Researchers warn that public fountains can be a breeding ground for aerosolized pollutants, posing significant risks to human health. With an estimated 30% of visitors being children, the risk of fountain-related illnesses is particularly high.
Researchers have developed a new method for cleaning oil spills using massive fire whirls, which can burn through crude oil nearly twice as fast as in-situ fire pools. The results show that fire whirls produce 40% less soot and consume up to 95% of the fuel, leaving fewer harmful particles behind.
A UT San Antonio assistant professor is studying how climate change and urbanization affect freshwater ecosystems by tracking the expansion of exotic tropical fish species into northern regions. The project aims to provide practical tools for natural resource managers to protect Texas waterways.
A new FAU study uncovers the impact of acidic water on shell-building marine organisms, highlighting the need for strategies to mitigate coastal acidification. The research found that nutrient pollution, freshwater input, and other environmental factors contribute to reduced aragonite saturation.
McGill researchers found that freshwater browning is stunting some fish species' growth, shrinking others' populations, and altering fish communities. This phenomenon has broad impacts on biodiversity, affecting economically important fish species such as northern pike and walleye.
New research from Simon Fraser University finds that Canada is failing to monitor the health of Pacific salmon populations, with 44% lacking sufficient data. The decline in monitoring is particularly concerning as salmon face the dual threat of climate change and industrial projects set to be fast-tracked by the federal government.
Florida Atlantic University's College of Engineering has received a $600,379 grant to advance technology targeting harmful algal blooms in Florida's waterways. The project aims to develop novel 3D-printed adsorbent materials for efficient phosphate removal.
Penguin populations off South Africa have declined drastically due to collapsing food supplies, with some species facing an estimated 62,000 breeding individual losses. The study suggests that sardine biomass has fallen below a quarter of its peak levels in 17 years, posing a significant threat to the long-term survival of these birds.
Professor John Smol of Queen's University is being honored for his groundbreaking contributions to identifying stressors of environmental change in the Arctic. He has developed tools for detecting environmental shifts in freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems, providing key insights into the impact of global warming and human activities.
A research team led by Göttingen University found that urban blue spaces play a critical role in food security and social inclusion in four major Indian cities. Women, the elderly, and marginalized communities most frequently collected, shared, cooked, and sold food products.
A new study reveals that many Western river networks in arid areas may be soaking up more carbon dioxide than they emit, challenging the long-held assumption of net emissions. This finding has significant implications for understanding the global carbon cycle and managing CO2 levels.
A University of Houston biologist has received a $2.16 million federal grant to study how some coastal frogs survive in salty environments. The research could reveal how cells cope with salt stress and have implications for understanding the health risks of high-salt diets in humans.
The project aims to quantify the link between water conditions, fish populations, and wading bird nesting success in the Florida Everglades. Researchers will collect data on aquatic prey and habitat conditions during the dry season to provide essential insight into restoration efforts.
Researchers have developed a practical and affordable method for assessing the state of river ecosystems by using different substrates such as marble tiles, alder leaves, and cotton strips. The study found that these materials can provide valuable information on the condition of rivers and help address pollution.
A long-term study in the White Mountains of New Hampshire found that recovering forests are using roots to mine minerals for nutrients, leading to improved stream pH but depleted soil fertility. This process enhances mineral weathering, which can make forests more vulnerable to future pollution.
A new international study reveals that nitrogen fixation occurs beneath Arctic sea ice, increasing available nitrogen for algae and potentially boosting marine life. This discovery could also impact carbon absorption in the Arctic Ocean.
Research on threespine stickleback populations in lakes with and without sculpins reveals that ecological differences trigger the evolution of new species. The study shows that adaptation to different habitats plays a crucial role in speciation, even in geographically isolated populations.
Researchers found that communities with green infrastructure systems like rain gardens saw a notable reduction in cadmium, copper, nickel, and zinc being sent into local waterways. Implementing more of these systems can improve water quality, make cities cooler, and enhance ecosystem services.
A recent study found that light color affects phytoplankton growth and nutrient cycling in lake ecosystems. The researchers discovered that the less light available to microalgae, the more important the color of light became for their growth.
Climate-driven oxygen loss can trigger expansion of microorganisms producing methylmercury, a potent neurotoxin. Ancient DNA analysis shows similar processes occurred in the past; modern warming oceans risk similar conditions.
A study found that volcanic ash can enhance phytoplankton growth even at considerable distances from the volcanic site. Researchers detected a surge in phytoplankton levels around Mukojima Island, located 130 km northeast of Nishinoshima, after ash was transported by wind and ocean currents.
Researchers analyzed 11 international constructed floating wetlands projects and found that they can be a competitive solution for improving water quality, especially for nitrogen removal. The cost of removing nitrogen was consistently cheaper than phosphorus, making floating wetlands a more economical option over time.
Rivers are experiencing a more rapid increase in frequency, duration and intensity of heatwaves than air, with periods of abnormally high water temperatures posing a threat to aquatic ecosystems, water quality and America's food supply and energy stability. The study found significant increases observed at 82% of sites, with critical t...
Stakeholders from Germany, the Netherlands, and Finland met to develop impact plans influencing policies and markets to restore degraded peatlands. The plans aim to align policy goals with specific tasks, support efficient funding and market innovation.
As Arctic permafrost thaws, geochemical reactions unleash metals like cadmium, harming fish and disrupting ecosystems. The Salmon River's transformation poses indirect threats to Indigenous communities and other species.
UCSB researchers warn that the ocean's cumulative impact will double by 2050 due to climate change and human activities. The tropics and poles are expected to experience the fastest changes in impacts, with coastal areas bearing the brunt of the increased pressures.
A new study found that when Hanauma Bay was closed to the public during the 2020 pandemic, the reef quickly returned to more natural levels. This led to clearer water, increased sightings of endangered Hawaiian monk seals, and more active fish populations.
A landmark review published by FAU reveals that sargassum is a rapidly growing and widely distributed marine organism. The study found that the Atlantic Ocean's sargassum biomass has increased by over 50% since the 1980s, with nitrogen content rising sharply.
A new study found potentially concerning concentrations of domoic acid in wild sea stars, which could have cascading consequences for marine biodiversity. The researchers also observed behavioral and physiological changes in response to the neurotoxin, raising concerns about its potential impacts on keystone species.
A new ASU study identifies the most polluted areas of coastline in West Hawaiʻi and targets for remediation, providing critical data needed to mitigate sewage contamination. The research found that cesspools, septic systems, and coastal urban development are highly predictive of water contamination.
A new $3 million grant will help researchers evaluate the long-term value of integrating natural systems into infrastructure planning. The project aims to advance natural infrastructure applications by developing and monitoring technologies, such as unoccupied aerial systems equipped with advanced sensors to collect environmental data.
A new project at FAU aims to advance water quality monitoring in Lake Okeechobee by understanding how common contaminants break down after being released into freshwater environments. The team will deploy passive sampling devices and use cutting-edge chemical analysis to predict which contaminants are forming dangerous byproducts.
Researchers found that ponds, lakes, rivers, and estuaries play a significant role in fixing nitrogen, supporting food webs and ecosystem productivity. They estimated that these systems fix the equivalent of 15% of total nitrogen fixed on land and in the open ocean, despite covering less than 10% of global surface area.
The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework sets robust targets for protecting marine biodiversity, addressing its complexity and variability. By focusing on key indicators such as species distribution, genetic diversity, and ecosystem structure, policymakers can track changes and implement effective conservation measures.
Researchers from Italy developed a conductive biopaste to accelerate coral growth and a natural healing patch to target antibiotic delivery to diseased corals, both showing promising results in laboratory tests.
A recent genetic study found that populations of the amphidromous goby Luciogobius ryukyuensis are genetically distinguishable, suggesting minimal larval exchange between islands. This highlights the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect vulnerable habitats in island ecosystems.
Anemonefish evolved into diverse species due to distinct ecological lifestyles, including swimming efficiency, muscle architecture, and behavior. The study challenges long-held ideas about host specialization, positioning anemonefish as a new model system for studying ecological and evolutionary forces.
A new approach, facilitated migration, aims to increase juvenile salmon survival in California's Central Valley waterways. By tweaking release timing and volume, water managers can boost survival rates from 6% to 46%, potentially adding 20,000 more fish to the ocean.
Research reveals rainfall dramatically affects planktonic fungal communities in urban lakes, reducing species richness and evenness. Parasitic fungi emerge as key biomarkers, with changes in their abundance and distribution observed following precipitation.
In response to annual removal of smallmouth bass from an Adirondack lake, the population shifted towards a fast-living and early-maturing life history strategy. This adaptation allowed the smaller fish to rapidly increase in numbers, even as larger fish were mostly eliminated.
The Queen Conch Lab at FAU Harbor Branch will establish a community-based queen conch farm in every Caribbean country to restore healthy populations and improve sustainable fishing methods. The project aims to grow up to 2,000 queen conch juveniles per year for conservation and restoration.
Researchers discovered genes related to extracellular matrix and Wnt signaling pathway drive lip hypertrophy in East African Great Lakes cichlids. The study provides insights into the evolutionary biology of lip hypertrophy, highlighting the importance of proteoglycans and Wnt signaling pathway.
New research from Tulane University finds that global riverine mercury pollution has more than doubled since the pre-industrial era, with primary drivers including wastewater discharge, soil erosion, and industrial activities. This increase poses significant health risks to humans and wildlife through consumption of contaminated fish.
A new study reveals that rivers release around two gigatonnes of carbon each year, with over half coming from ancient carbon stores. This finding emphasizes the crucial part plants and shallow soil layers play in combating climate change.
New research finds megalodon preyed upon a variety of species, including fish, sharks, and even crustaceans, contrary to the long-held belief that it targeted large marine mammals. The discovery was made by analyzing zinc isotopes in fossilized teeth, providing insights into the prehistoric shark's ecological versatility.
A new study projects that climate change will cause bowhead whale habitats to contract by up to 75% due to sea ice loss. The Arctic's suitable summer foraging habitat is expected to decline significantly, with viable habitat in the Sea of Okhotsk likely to vanish entirely by 2060.
Researchers linked comprehensive datasets with physical ocean processes to understand the exceptional marine biodiversity around the Cape Verde Archipelago. The study identified three key mechanisms driving nutrient transport and found that physical dynamics influence not only productivity but also the type of organisms present.
A new study maps the daily movement of cyanobacteria in Florida's largest freshwater lake, revealing how these harmful algal blooms form and behave. The research provides critical insights into managing the risks associated with cyanobacteria blooms.