Articles tagged with Marine Plants
Scientists have quantified the transport of carbon from surface waters to the deep ocean in response to iron fertilization. The study found that while iron fertilization can enhance carbon flux and reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide levels, the quantities removed are no greater than natural plankton blooms, making it a limited solution.
A new species of deep-sea predatory fish, dubbed Eustomias jimcraddocki, has been discovered by Dr. Tracey Sutton at the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution. The species exhibits unique bioluminescent features and varying barbel patterns, challenging previous assumptions about its functionality.
Scientists investigate iron fertilization to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by boosting phytoplankton photosynthesis. However, the process is hindered by zooplankton consumption and limited sinking of plant material.
A massive Antarctic iceberg, C-19, blocked the movement of sea ice in the Ross Sea region, resulting in unusually high sea-ice cover and a significant reduction in primary production. This study used satellite imagery and chlorophyll data to quantify the effects of the iceberg on phytoplankton growth.
Phytoplankton's shift to red pigments occurred due to a global ocean oxygen depletion, which paved the way for their evolution. This discovery reveals how the ocean's chemistry has been dominated by red phytoplankton ever since.
Ocean phytoplankton's net primary productivity has declined by over 6% globally since the 1980s, mainly due to increased temperatures and decreased iron deposition. This decline affects the global carbon cycle, as phytoplankton absorbs half of the Earth's CO2 through photosynthesis.
A team of Marine Corps reconnaissance swimmers, Navy SEALS, Explosive Ordnance divers, dolphins, and REMUS worked together to clear mines from Iraq's port. REMUS successfully located potential targets, allowing the dolphins to inspect and report back on its findings.
Scientists create composite maps of the world's 'net primary production' every 8 days, revealing how much carbon dioxide is taken in by vegetation during photosynthesis. The new measurement provides a global perspective on the Earth's carbon cycle and has implications for climate change, agriculture, and ocean productivity.
The book is a comprehensive guide to the flora of the Caribbean, featuring over 700 underwater color photographs and detailed information on 565 species of marine plants. The award recognizes the widespread need for this reference among students, researchers, and reef managers.
A study using satellite ocean color data has shed light on the spring bloom of phytoplankton in the North Atlantic, a critical factor in the carbon cycle and global warming. The research found that simple models can accurately predict the timing of the bloom, with plankton animals and bacteria playing a key role in its duration.
A new study has successfully mapped the global extent of 'iron-limited' ocean regions, which are crucial for understanding how the ocean's biology controls the flow of carbon between the atmosphere and the ocean. These regions were identified by analyzing satellite data on dust deposition and phytoplankton productivity.
Phosphorus is essential for life as a building block of nucleic acids and energy transfer molecules. New technologies help scientists study phosphorus cycling in soil, sea, and living organisms to better understand its role in the Earth system.
Researchers found high concentrations of discharged microbes in ballast water from ships arriving at Chesapeake Bay ports. The study highlights the need for greater concern about biological invasions and emergent diseases, as non-indigenous microorganisms can cause significant ecological and disease processes.
Harbor Branch researchers have isolated compounds from an Indian Ocean sponge that show promise as a new treatment for fungal infections, including those affecting AIDS patients. The discovery of unique cyclic peroxy acids may provide a more effective alternative to existing antifungal agents.
A new study by Stanford University researchers finds that global aquaculture production has more than doubled in the past 15 years, but it also adds to the world's supply of fish. However, the growing demand for carnivorous species like salmon and shrimp threatens the sustainability of ocean fisheries.
The Earth's oceans are predicted to evaporate within 1 billion years as the sun's temperature increases, leading to a waterless planet. The process is driven by the sun's increasing brightness, which will eventually cause water to evaporate into space.
Researchers analyzed 176 species of modern-day plants to determine the sources of carbon in the atmosphere hundreds of millions of years ago. However, their results suggest that fossil plants may not provide a direct link between ancient carbon levels and climate change.
Researchers found that carbon dioxide from human activities primarily ends up in the subtropical ocean, rather than the cold Southern Ocean. This new understanding challenges previous models and highlights the complexity of global ocean carbon sequestration.
Research suggests that herbivores prefer northern salt marsh plants over tropical ones, with a striking trend of consuming greater quantities of northern plants regardless of species or time of year. The reasons for this preference are unclear but may be linked to physical and chemical defenses.
CSIRO scientists have measured a minuscule decline in oxygen over the past 20 years, which has shed new light on the role of forests and oceans in absorbing carbon dioxide. The oxygen reduction, just 0.03%, is negligible for human breathing but highlights the importance of plant life in capturing half of the CO2 generated by fossil fuels.
Researchers find potential anti-cancer agents in ethanol extract of soybean molasses from crop-processing plant waste. The active compound, phytochemical complex 100 (PCC 100), contains saponins and suppresses cancer cell growth, reducing human colon cancer rates.
Archaeopteris, an extinct tree, had a structure similar to modern trees, with woody strength and protective bark. The tree lived for 10-50 years or more, predating the evolution of seeds in trees.
USGS scientists will present research on rare plants, including soft-leaved Indian paintbrush and island jepsonia, and the effects of invasive species like feral pigs. The symposium aims to inform conservation strategies for California Channel Islands National Park.
A University of Florida researcher has found genetic differences in sea oats on the Gulf Coast, which could lead to the development of a "super" sea oat that can stabilize dunes during storms. The goal is to select and propagate sea oats with desirable traits such as quick root growth and extensive rhizome systems.
Phytoplankton, tiny marine plants and bacteria, have evolved to stabilize the Earth's atmosphere by regulating atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. They convert sunlight into oxygen and sequester carbon deep in the ocean, influencing climate regulation.
The Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution is building a $1.5 million ocean sciences museum with a self-guided format, featuring interactive exhibits and displays on marine research, education, engineering, and ocean operations. The museum will open in late 1998.
The Salton Sea Database Program will utilize GIS software to analyze data on the lake's ecosystem, including climate, soil, water quality, and vegetation. The program aims to inform decision-making and restoration efforts for the critically endangered Salton Sea.
The Pennsylvania Sea Grant will focus on extension, education, and communications, monitoring the ecology of Lake Erie's coast and Presque Isle peninsula. Studies will address non-point source pollution, invasive species, and environmentally friendly manufacturing development.
Researchers found evidence of regular climate shifts, including sudden cold snaps and warming periods, in ocean sediment cores from the North Atlantic. The 1,500-year cycle, which occurred every 1,470 years, may be the pacemaker of rapid climate change.
Drilling in the Caribbean Basin uncovered evidence of massive volcanic eruptions 55 million years ago, which triggered a dramatic climatic change and rapid ocean water inversion. This led to the release of sea floor methane into the atmosphere, causing global warming and speeding evolution of new species.
Researchers find parallels between Mount St. Helens' recovery and the Indonesian volcano Krakatau's transformation from a devastated island to a thriving tropical rainforest. Plants establish a stable surface, holding back water and nutrients, allowing for gradual growth and revegetation. This process is key to understanding the renewa...
A new study suggests that current methods for measuring nitrogen uptake in oceans are too low, resulting in an estimated 30% underestimation. The finding indicates that newly produced nitrogen may remain suspended as dissolved organic nitrogen, rather than sinking to the ocean floor.
The U.S. National Science Foundation is supporting over 145 Antarctic investigations this season, focusing on carbon cycling in the Southern Ocean, deicing dynamics of sea life, archea ecology, UV-B impact on terrestrial plants, and drilling an ice dome in West Antarctica.
Scientists from Brookhaven National Laboratory find that iron supplements can boost phytoplankton productivity, which absorbs 40% of the world's carbon annually. However, adding iron may not have a significant impact on global climate change due to other limiting factors.
A new study confirms the Bering land bridge was not inundated by rising seas until about 11,000 years ago. The study reveals that the vegetation at the time consisted primarily of tundra plants and shrubs, unsuitable for long-term habitation by large grazing mammals.