Articles tagged with Coastal Zones
A new digital mapping project has created a comprehensive dataset to safeguard UNESCO World Heritage sites along coastlines at risk of flooding and erosion. The Global Coastal Heritage (Glo-CoH) dataset includes 1250 individual heritage sites, spanning over 235 million hectares across the globe.
A new study reveals critical fine-scale spatial heterogeneity of mesozooplankton across three brackish bays of the Central and Eastern Baltic Sea. Salinity and temperature drive distinct zooplankton assemblages, with clear inter-bay community separation emerging.
Researchers have discovered a previously unknown mechanism by which microbes boost plants' ability to survive in salty conditions. Pseudomonad bacteria stimulate the production of lignin, a tough substance found in plant cell walls, helping plants withstand environmental stress.
Rising ocean temperatures cause corals to struggle with oxygen uptake due to disrupted ciliary motion. At moderate temperatures, corals accelerate ciliary motion to meet increased oxygen demand, but this compensatory mechanism fails at higher temperatures.
A new study reveals how responsive Greenland's ice sheet is to climate change, with widespread methane release linked to an episode of warming around 4,000 years ago. The findings highlight the role of recent ice margin fluctuations on subglacial carbon cycling, with implications for global methane budget assessments.
A new study explores potential options for Venice to adapt to sea-level rise, including relocating the city, movable barriers, ring dikes, and closing the Venetian Lagoon. The research suggests that no single approach is optimal, requiring a balance of factors such as resident wellbeing, economic prosperity, and cultural heritage.
Researchers at the University of Gothenburg measured carbon dioxide and oxygen levels in 23 mangrove areas, revealing global patterns in environmental stress. The study found that extreme conditions, including low oxygen and high carbon dioxide levels, are becoming more frequent and severe, posing a threat to sensitive fish species.
The FAU project will integrate high-resolution modeling, observational data, and advanced machine learning to improve understanding of regional sea-level variability in the Gulf of America. The team aims to produce decision-relevant scenario outputs and empower stakeholders with actionable information for future-oriented decisions.
Research finds that humpback whales face a higher risk of getting entangled in fishing equipment during years with lower availability of cool-water habitat. The Habitat Compression Index can predict ocean conditions up to a year in advance, suggesting its potential as an early warning system for fishery management decisions.
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 new study reveals that offshore wind farms can create complex wake structures that interact with each other, affecting surface currents and sediment transport. The research suggests that turbines spaced farther apart can reduce turbulence caused by tidal wakes, leading to optimized wind farm designs.
Marine darkwaves are short-term episodes of underwater darkness that can severely impact kelp forests, seagrass beds, and other light-dependent marine life. The researchers developed a framework to compare these events across the globe, finding between 25-80 marine darkwaves along the East Cape since 2002.
Research shows that flooding in delta cities like Shanghai can expand by up to 80% and be much deeper by 2100 due to extreme climate events, sea-level rise and land subsidence. A major adaptation effort is required to raise defences and construct mobile flood barriers.
Studies in the Tropical Eastern Pacific indicate that sharks thrive in oceanic islands' MPAs, unlike coastal areas where predatory fish are depleted. The research highlights the importance of these refuges for shark conservation.
A new unified mathematical description model for coastal tipping points has been introduced, addressing escalating risks in coastal zones. The model classifies tipping points into six types, including bifurcation-driven, noise-driven, and shock-driven, highlighting the need for integrated strategies to mitigate regime shifts.
A new study reveals that ocean acidification is accelerating at a rate outpacing atmospheric CO2 levels, with the Northeastern Pacific Ocean experiencing rapid acidification. The research analyzed coral skeletons from the past century, showing that CO2 has been accumulating in North American waters faster than in the atmosphere.
New research reveals many encouraging signs for ochre sea star populations, with many baby boomers reaching adulthood and population numbers exceeding pre-wasting disease abundances. However, the average body sizes of the sea stars are still smaller than before, and the populations coast-wide are generally less steady from year to year.
Researchers develop AI-powered methods for modeling the Gulf of Mexico's dynamics, achieving higher accuracy for short-term predictions and emulating 10-year dynamics without hallucinations. This breakthrough drives forward critical management of natural resources in the U.S. and Mexico, advancing AI technology in earth sciences.
Researchers at the University of Technology Sydney discovered that tailored lipid supplements can significantly increase coral larvae's strength, speed, and survival rate. This innovation has major implications for reef restoration projects, which aim to improve larval supply but often face low post-settlement survival rates.
A new three-year agreement between the Pacific Marine Science Alliance Society and MEOPAR aims to strengthen national ocean research collaboration across Canada's coasts. The partnership will focus on addressing key challenges such as climate resilience, marine hazard prediction, and sustainable resource use.
A study analyzing four decades of Italian cetacean strandings reveals that bottlenose and striped dolphins are most commonly impacted by fishery interactions. The research, published in PLOS One, highlights the need for conservation efforts to mitigate these effects.
Researchers found that kelp forests support nearby beaches with high biodiversity due to nutrient subsidies. The connectivity between kelp and beach ecosystems is a local process, with the strongest benefit within 10 kilometers of kelp forests.
The Mediterranean Sea is warming at a faster rate than the open ocean, posing significant risks to marine ecosystems. The study highlights the urgent need for action to protect these unique ecosystems, which could collapse or remain functional depending on political decisions made now.
A global review highlights the need for better tools to understand juvenile fish habitats, which are facing increased pressure from various factors. The study recommends incorporating metrics like growth, survival, and contribution rates to assess habitat quality.
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.
Researchers found that mangrove populations have nearly tripled in areas with oysters, leading to significant acidification of oyster reef sediment. Oyster shell dissolution could impact reef viability and services like filtration and storm surge reduction.
A new study by Macquarie University researchers found that adding colour to concrete panels increased marine biodiversity in Sydney Harbour. The team discovered that red panels supported communities distinct from other coloured panels, attracting higher numbers of green algae and barnacles.
A new study published in Science finds that strong climate policy can preserve twice as much ice as current warming trajectories, even if temperatures stabilized today. At a 1.5°C temperature increase, 53% of global glacier mass could be preserved, alleviating hazards like flooding and freshwater deficiency.
The global ocean has experienced a significant reduction in the depth of its photic zones, home to 90% of all marine life, leading to widespread ocean darkening. This change could have profound implications for the planet's marine species and ecosystem services.
A recent study found that fully protected marine areas in Brazil are contaminated by microplastics, with an average concentration of 0.42 particles per gram of wet tissue. The contamination was detected in all ten integral protection areas studied, with the highest levels found in the Alcatrazes Archipelago Wildlife Refuge.
Researchers warn that artificial oxygen input cannot replace comprehensive water protection strategies. Technical approaches have shown promise, but risks include intensifying greenhouse gases and disrupting marine habitats. Climate protection and reducing nutrient inputs remain crucial for mitigating ocean oxygen loss.
Researchers developed a new method to predict the effectiveness of mangroves in protecting coastlines against extreme weather events. The HU method uses wave non-linearity and can calculate wave height attenuation with ease, saving billions of dollars worldwide.
A new USF study identifies several viruses associated with Karenia brevis, the single-celled organism causing red tide. The finding marks an initial step toward exploring viruses as biocontrol agents for red tide blooms.
A USC study has found a drastic increase in building collapses in Alexandria, Egypt, due to rising sea levels and seawater intrusion. The researchers used a three-pronged approach to assess the impact of shoreline changes on the city's buildings.
Researchers from the University of Houston have confirmed alarming rates of subsidence in Miami's barrier islands, with 35 skyscrapers sinking up to three inches into the ground since 2016. The study used InSAR technology to detect changes in the earth's surface and found that construction-induced stresses extend beyond building footpr...
A recent study revealed that 66% of coral colonies on the southern Great Barrier Reef were bleached by February 2024, with 80% by April. The research team tracked the health of 462 coral colonies over 161 days and found that 44% of the bleached colonies had died, including a staggering 95% mortality rate for some species.
The 105th Annual Meeting of the American Meteorological Society will address key issues in weather, water, and climate. The meeting features a Presidential Forum on physical, social, cultural, and economic impacts of climate change, with experts from the region of the Mississippi River Delta.
Researchers at Stanford University have discovered a genetic twist in cyanobacteria, allowing them to produce two forms of the enzyme RuBisCo, which could enhance carbon storage. This adaptation may play a crucial role in ocean carbon sequestration and has potential implications for more efficient crop production.
Researchers suggest that manatees may have only become a permanent fixture in Florida after Europeans colonization began, contradicting the common assumption of their long history in the state. The study suggests that warming waters and human activities may have encouraged the manatees to stay and breed.
A new study highlights the pressures human activities place on tropical marine ecosystems, with fishing techniques and tourism posing the greatest threat. The research provides insights into the impact of various activities on different habitats, shedding light on how to ensure sustainable management.
Researchers at Rice University develop OpenSafe.AI, a system that leverages responsible AI and hazard models to provide timely insights for emergency response organizations and communities before, during, and after tropical cyclones and coastal storm events. The goal is to enable better preparation and navigation for severe weather.
A team of researchers discovered that a 'tag-team' between the oceans and continents led to severe environmental crises, causing mass extinctions of marine species. The study found that chemical weathering pulses disrupted the oceans, leading to anoxic events that had profound impacts on marine ecosystems.
Researchers at University of South Florida found that sea surface temperatures in four estuaries in South Florida have risen faster than globally and in the Gulf of Mexico. The accelerated warming poses a threat to marine life, including algae, seagrass, and coral reefs.
A new study found that microplastics impact plant reproduction, while seawater flooding causes greater tissue death in coastal plants. Combining both stressors amplifies threats to ecosystem wellbeing.
Researchers used drones to map loko iʻa at the community level, providing insights into flooding and future sea level rise impacts. Drones accurately estimated observed flooding during extreme high tide events, while LiDAR models overestimated flooding by two to five times.
A new study found that magnesium levels in sandhoppers increase during cold weather, slowing their activity. In deeper sleep, magnesium levels can more than double, putting the sandhopper into a torpid state and allowing it to conserve energy.
A new study found that human-induced environmental changes around Antarctica are contributing to sea level rise in the North Atlantic. The research team analyzed two decades of oceanographic data and found a 12% weakening of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation deep water limb.
The Global Ocean Artificial Light at Night Network aims to expand on previous research, providing a central resource for marine light pollution expertise. Light pollution poses significant ecological harm, including disruptions to daily rhythms and reproductive cycles of marine species.
Researchers provided first detailed estimates of sediment supply to coral reef islands, crucial for understanding climate change impacts. They found that around 0.1m³ (100kg) of sediment is delivered to islands per year, helping islands withstand rising seas.
A new study reveals tiny plankton (0.02mm) make up majority of ocean plankton, playing critical role in ecosystem health and oxygen production. The research emphasizes the need to take these tiny organisms seriously and incorporate them into global ocean policy.
The study found that England's only resident population of bottlenose dolphins has declined to just 48 individuals due to various human impacts. The researchers call for urgent measures to protect the population and its habitats.
A new research project will explore the potential for low-lying coral atoll islands to survive the impact of rising sea levels, contradicting previous forecasts. The five-year £2.8m ARISE project will conduct extensive field tests and laboratory experiments in the Maldives and Pacific.
A historic red tide event in 2020 was caused by an exceptionally dense bloom of Lingulodinium polyedra, a plankton species that can swim and outgrow its competitors, leading to harmful algal blooms. The study validated a 50-year-old hypothesis and highlighted the exceptional swimming ability of dinoflagellates.
A multidisciplinary team of scientists conducted a comprehensive study to understand the sources and sinks of plastic debris in the Southern North Sea. Local citizen scientists played a crucial role in tracking the distribution pathways of plastic particles, revealing that two-thirds were washed ashore within 25km of their release site.
A new study published in Marine Pollution Bulletin found significantly higher levels of polyethylene, polypropylene, acrylic, and polyamide in the North Atlantic gyre compared to other offshore locations. Inshore areas exhibited a diverse range of polymers, possibly influenced by proximity to various plastic sources.
A new study models likely future cliff retreat rates of two rock coasts in the UK, finding that rock coasts are likely to retreat at a rate not seen for 3,000-5,000 years. The researchers predict that rock coast cliffs will retreat by at least 10-22 meters inland due to accelerating sea level rise.
A new project aims to explore the tension between managing hurricane risk and achieving equity and economic prosperity in coastal communities. Researchers will develop methods to model long-term hurricane hazards and create a framework for designing policy interventions.
Research highlights the impact of historical development on US coastal zones' exposure to sea level rise and hurricanes. The study uses historical data to better understand how development contributes to increased vulnerability.
The construction of dams and changes in land use have significantly impacted the amount of sediment rivers carry to oceans. Sediment transport has decreased by 49% globally due to dam construction, while increasing on 36% of rivers in the south, primarily driven by deforestation.
A new modeling study predicts that coastal marsh migration will release more carbon into the atmosphere, exacerbating climate change. As marshes move inland due to sea level rise, they convert land from a net carbon sink to a net carbon source, releasing stored carbon into the air.