Research on lakes and freshwater. Covers waterborne illness, AI algal-bloom technology, freshwater carbon, and cyanobacteria toxin detection.
Scientists studied lake cores in Greenland to understand the ice sheet's response to a warm period 8,000-5,000 years ago. They found that during this time, the ice sheet was losing mass at a rate of 100 Gigaton per year, delivering an equivalent 16 cm of global sea-level rise.
Researchers found major changes in algae consistent with water warming, indicating physical structure changes in tropical high-mountain lakes. The findings have far-reaching consequences for Andean water resources as the lakes provide 60% of drinking water for Cuenca, Ecuador.
Researchers from the University of Leicester and Hungarian Academy of Sciences develop a way to map 'reed die-back' using satellite and aircraft monitoring systems. They found several indices related to the ecological status of reed plants, which can be mapped from specific wavelengths of radiation.
A new study uses Flickr photos to calculate the value of clean water, finding that higher-quality lakes receive more visits and users are willing to travel farther to reach them. The research also highlights the potential for social media data to inform social-ecological research.
The Great Lakes are vulnerable to future invasions due to the lack of effective regulations. Scientists predict new waves of invaders and identify key species that could arrive in the next 50 years, posing threats to native biodiversity and the multibillion-dollar fishery.
Researchers from Italy and Brazil present a new conceptual model of staircase fractures in microbialites and travertines, enhancing permeability by connecting highly porous zones. This understanding is valuable for locating water supplies and exploring oil, gas, and geothermal resources.
Researchers studied the dispersal behavior of female and male cichlids in Lake Tanganyika. Females dispersed significantly longer distances than males, likely to avoid inbreeding and resource competition. Kin-shoaling also emerged as a key phenomenon, with small females tending to shoal with female siblings.
A Cornell University study reveals that surface meltwater can fill subglacial lakes beneath the ice sheet, providing heat to its bottom. This process could accelerate ice flow and alter the Greenland Ice Sheet's response to climate change.
Researchers have discovered two sub-glacial lakes beneath the ice in Greenland that have rapidly drained away, filling and emptying twice in a matter of years. The sudden disappearance of these lakes raises concerns about the stability of the Greenland Ice Sheet and its potential impact on global sea levels.
A team of researchers warns that human activity has crossed four planetary boundaries, putting food production and clean water at risk. The nitrogen-phosphorus cycle, essential for life, is particularly compromised due to limited phosphorus supplies and excessive fertilizer use.
A study among the Makushi people in Guyana reveals that men are more likely to pursue long-term relationships when women are in short supply. The researchers found that when women are abundant, men tend to seek multiple short-term partners, but when they are scarce, men value and attempt to maintain a single partner.
A new multi-institution study shows that cyanobacteria can set up positive feedback loops in lakes, amplifying the effects of pollutants and climate change to create ideal conditions for blooms. This finding sheds light on what makes cyanobacteria successful and may lead to new methods of prevention and control.
A massive dead zone in Lake Erie was linked to the 2012 drought, according to a new study. Researchers found that agricultural practices and meteorological conditions explain year-to-year variability in the size of the dead zone.
Scientists have installed a degasing pipe in the Guadiana pit lake to remove extremely high concentrations of dissolved carbon dioxide. The system uses buoyancy to drive the flow and release gas to the atmosphere, reducing the risk of human exposure to deadly CO2 levels.
A new study by Ohio State University reveals that low wind speeds are a key factor in amplifying Lake Erie algal blooms. The research found that consistent wind speed contributed more to HABs than sunshine or precipitation, with seasons of low winds leading to larger blooms.
Scientists simulate the future distribution of 'supraglacial' lakes on Greenland's ice sheet, predicting they will migrate farther inland over the next half century. This could alter the ice sheet flow in dramatic ways, leading to increased melting and potential sea-level rise.
A new study from the University of Notre Dame develops a more sensitive and affordable tool for detecting Asian Carp DNA using environmental DNA (eDNA) monitoring. The new method detects Asian Carp eDNA 95% of the time, compared to less than 5% with current methods.
A new online tool, Cities Impact Assessment Tool (CIAT), helps cities in the Great Lakes region anticipate and prepare for climate-related challenges. The tool provides climate histories, projections, and adaptation strategies to support informed policy and infrastructure decisions.
Naturally spawned juvenile sockeye are migrating to the ocean and returning as adults at a much higher rate than others released from hatcheries. The analysis indicates that the program to save the species has succeeded in rebuilding populations in the wild, with the species regaining fitness.
Biologists believe the increased return rate of naturally spawned sockeye is high enough for the species to eventually sustain itself in the wild. Naturally spawned fish are returning at rates up to three times higher than those released from hatcheries.
The Lake Van drilling project provides a unique 600,000-year archive of climate fluctuations and natural hazards, including six cycles of warm and cold periods. The analysis reveals the region's high risk for earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
Scientists found that ancient rivers, streams, and lakes on Mars were likely formed during brief periods of volcanic activity, warming the planet enough for water to flow. This challenges previous climate models suggesting a cold and ice-covered world, instead proposing a more complex history with episodic heating and melting.
Scientists at the University of Utah have found that iguanas, not known for high-capacity aerobic fitness, have bird-like breathing patterns in their lungs. This discovery bolsters the case that unidirectional airflow evolved long before the first birds, suggesting a common ancestor among lizards, snakes, crocodiles, and dinosaurs.
Researchers found that fine particles eroded from riverbanks were the main source of phosphorus in Lake Pepin sediment before 1850. After 1850, riverbanks absorbed P from polluted river water, contributing to increasing phosphorus concentrations. Upgrading sewage treatment plants is crucial to controlling phosphorus pollution upstream.
A new study by Brigham Young University and Fox affiliate in Salt Lake City reveals that choosing to broadcast a local favorite isn't always the smartest ratings decision. The analysis shows that fans also hop on the bandwagon of whoever is winning and lighting up the scoreboard, leading to higher TV audience ratings.
Researchers found rivers carrying large volumes of sediment meander more across floodplains, creating oxbow lakes. Sediment supply is a key driver of river behavior, affecting meander migration speed and floodplain evolution.
The critically endangered Saimaa ringed seal has extremely low genetic diversity, which continues to decline due to its isolated population and limited migration. A recent study developed a method to identify individual seals using DNA samples from placentas collected from birth-lair sites.
Scientists discovered the Midcontinent Rift evolved in three stages: a narrow crack, volcanic rock filling, and igneous rocks rising to surface. The rift's unique geology was formed by magma flowing into the developing crack and eventually creating a large igneous province.
A new study led by University of Michigan researchers finds that microcystin-producing cyanobacteria in Lake Erie are becoming more sensitive to phosphorus, suggesting current reduction targets may not be enough to curb blooms. The team also suggests invasive quagga and zebra mussels may be driving the trend.
A new study reveals that Earth's magnetic field reversed direction in less than 100 years, approximately 786,000 years ago. This rapid reversal could have significant effects on our planet, including disruptions to electrical grids and increased cancer rates due to the loss of protection from solar and cosmic particles.
Research at Royal Holloway University found that individuals with delusions tend to make hasty choices in daily life. They gather less information before making decisions, leading to potentially less successful outcomes.
The Greenland Ice Sheet is more sensitive to climate change due to the role of soft ground beneath it, which affects its dynamics and leads to increased ice loss. This study reveals that the ice sheet is vulnerable not only to warming temperatures but also to extreme meteorological events like heavy rainfall and heat waves.
Researchers found evidence that the Zhada Basin in southwest Tibet lost 3,000 to 5,000 feet of elevation around 3-4 million years ago. This finding was confirmed using ancient snail shells and clumped isotope thermometry techniques.
Numerical models suggest that Miranda's corona formation was driven by tidal heating and convection in the ice mantle. This process is similar to plate tectonics on Earth, resulting in extensional tectonic faults and surface deformation.
The creation of the Vuoksi River approximately 6,000 years ago led to a significant cultural shift in eastern Finland. The rapid decrease in Lake Saimaa's water level revealed fertile land, flourishing elk populations attracted innovative human settlements, and a new culture emerged.
The project aims to digitize images and data on aquatic and wetland plants, mollusks, and fish from the Great Lakes basin, targeting 2,550 species. The goal is to document species invasions and eventually prevent them.
A new study by University of Vermont scientists predicts increased precipitation and temperature in the Lake Champlain region, leading to more extreme weather events and potential flooding. The forecast suggests a rise in average temperatures by mid-century, with some ski resorts experiencing a 50% decline in annual snowfall.
The original northern boundary of Illinois was south of Chicago and Lake Michigan due to a proposed straight line from the southernmost tip of Lake Michigan to the Rock and Mississippi River confluence. This would have resulted in a smaller population and footprint for Illinois if it had been approved.
The 790 Fire in Oregon affects over 3,000 acres with a 54% containment rate, posing risks to natural resources like the Northern Spotted Owl habitat. The Happy Camp Fire Complex in California spans 105,000 acres, with an estimated cost of $60.7 million to fight.
The FASEB MARC Program has announced travel award recipients for the Society of Leukocyte Biology Joint Meeting. This year, 1 student and postdoctoral researcher received a total of $1,850 to encourage participation from underrepresented groups in biomedical research.
Researchers at UC San Diego discover that moving rocks requires a rare combination of events: water-filled playa, freezing temperatures, and thin sheets of 'windowpane' ice. Light winds drive the ice panels across the playa, pushing rocks in front of them.
Research led by UC Riverside scientist James O. Sickman found declining levels of carbonaceous particles in Sierra Nevada lakes, indicating improved air quality and reduced acid rain. This decline has allowed sensitive aquatic species to thrive, preserving native clams, zooplankton, sponges, and invertebrates.
Researchers sequenced five African cichlid fish genomes to understand the molecular basis of adaptation in vertebrates. They found a variety of genomic changes that enabled the fishes to thrive in new habitats and ecological niches.
Researchers discovered evidence of Sahara dust affecting Lake Rio Seco in Sierra Nevada 11,000 years ago, indicating a relatively humid period during the Holocene. The study also revealed an aridification tendency and increased atmospheric dust fall in the Iberian Peninsula.
A total of 133 active fires are currently burning in the North Slave Region of the Northwest Territories, Canada. The fire danger is moderate to high, with smoke potentially affecting some communities.
Researchers from Louisiana State University have confirmed the existence of microbial life in a subglacial lake beneath the West Antarctic ice sheet. The discovery sheds new light on the potential for life in other extreme environments and has implications for our understanding of the planet's biosphere.
Researchers funded by NSF publish paper confirming presence of viable microbial ecosystems in subglacial Lake Whillans, 800 meters beneath the West Antarctic ice sheet. The discovery has implications for life in other extreme environments and may influence the chemical and biological composition of the Southern Ocean.
A new study finds that sunlight, not bacteria, is the key to converting carbon stored in Arctic permafrost into carbon dioxide. As climate change alters the timing and pace of thawing, this process could significantly impact global CO2 levels.
A US expedition has made a groundbreaking discovery, finding microorganisms thriving beneath the West Antarctic Ice Sheet. The team, led by Montana State University professor John Priscu, drilled down to Subglacial Lake Whillans and discovered an active ecosystem with archaea-based life forms.
A team led by Jill Mikucki finds microbial ecosystems in Subglacial Lake Whillans, supporting a diverse ecosystem that functions in the dark at subzero temperatures. The discovery has implications for life in extreme environments on Earth and in the solar system.
The 5th Lindau Meeting on Economic Sciences was opened by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who stressed the importance of policy counselling by scientific experts. The meeting brings together Nobel Laureates and young economic scientists from over 80 countries to discuss future orientation of the discipline.
Researchers used a modeling study to identify environmental conditions that trigger cholera epidemics near Lake Kivu, predicting potential warning time for health managers. By analyzing satellite data and precipitation patterns, they found the El Niño–Southern Oscillation and human mobility are key factors.
A new NOAA analysis shows that between 1996 and 2011, 64,975 square miles of coastal regions experienced changes in land cover, with a decline in wetlands and forest cover. Development was a major contributing factor in these losses, with the Southeast region losing 510 square miles of wetlands.
Extreme wildfire danger is raging in British Columbia, Canada, with over 142,000 hectares of land impacted. The majority of fires occurred in BC, Alberta, and the Northwest Territories, with high to extreme fire danger across western and northern Canada.
Researchers discovered active microbes in tiny droplets of water, revealing diverse bacteria and archaea. These microorganisms also degrade oil in asphalt, suggesting a similar process could be used to clean up oil spills.
A study published by University of Notre Dame scientists estimates that bighead and silver carp biomass in Lake Erie could be up to 25 metric-tons/km2, potentially increasing Yellow perch biomass by 15-50% but decreasing Walleye biomass by 10-40%. The experts emphasize the importance of considering uncertainty in decision-making.
A University of Minnesota researcher found that Siberian lakes have pulled more greenhouse gases from the atmosphere than they have released into it since the last Ice Age. This process, known as thermokarst, has caused a slight cooling effect due to the sequestration of carbon in permafrost.
The Lucinidae family's symbiotic relationship with seagrasses dates back to the Cretaceous period, allowing them to thrive in oxygen-poor environments. This unique partnership provided a rich supply of sulfur-oxidizing bacteria, which the bivalves consumed and seagrasses benefited from the uptake of toxic sulfide.
The construction of the Upamayo Dam in Peru's central Andes led to the discharge of Río San Juan waters into Lake Junín, causing widespread contamination with heavy metals. Climate change and mining activities have exacerbated this environmental disaster, highlighting the need for sustainable hydroelectric practices.
Research reveals thermokarst lakes in Arctic regions act as climate coolers over longer time scales, storing more carbon than emitting. The study finds that these lakes, which form from thawing permafrost, absorb significant amounts of carbon from the atmosphere, offsetting greenhouse gas emissions.