Research on lakes and freshwater. Covers waterborne illness, AI algal-bloom technology, freshwater carbon, and cyanobacteria toxin detection.
Red swamp crayfish, an invasive species introduced to enhance fisheries in East Africa, has been found to adapt and survive on terrestrial plants when water levels are low. This discovery highlights the species' incredible resilience and potential for further ecological damage.
A new study challenges conventional models assessing radiation's impact on human health, revealing a non-linear transfer of radioactive compounds in ecosystems. The research found that levels of these compounds are three times higher in fish-eating species than in non-fish-eating species.
Researchers analyzed meteorite fragments from Tagish Lake in Canada and found large left-hand excesses of aspartic acid, an amino acid used by life, while alanine showed a much smaller excess. The team suggests that liquid water inside asteroids may favor the production of left-handed proteinogenic amino acids.
Chris Hacon, a distinguished University of Utah math professor, has been selected as a Simons Foundation Investigator, receiving up to $1.32 million over five years. He will support graduate students and visiting experts in algebraic geometry.
Research by the University of Zurich reveals that global warming is compromising successful lake clean-ups by reducing water turnover and promoting harmful algal blooms. The warmer temperatures are particularly affecting large lakes in Central Europe, where overfertilization has led to cyanobacteria growth.
James Elser, an ASU ecologist, has been elected president of the global aquatic sciences organization, ASLO. He will focus on addressing pressing issues related to freshwater sustainability and promoting sustainable agricultural practices to reduce pollution.
Researchers used tree ring data from the US Pacific Northwest and oxygen isotope analysis of lake sediments to clarify ancient climate regimes. The study suggests that drought patterns in the American West may have varied across different regions, with some areas experiencing wetter winters than expected.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have discovered an unexpected complexity in the patterns of drought during the Middle Ages. The study uses tree rings and oxygen isotopes to reveal that winters were wetter-than-expected during the Medieval Climate Anomaly, contradicting previous tree ring data.
Researchers have extracted a sediment core from Lake El'gygytgyn in Siberia, revealing temperatures previously thought impossible for the Arctic Circle. The findings suggest a correlation between warm periods in the Arctic and large melting events in Antarctica, indicating previously unknown interactions between the Polar Regions.
A new study of lake sediment cores from Sanak Island in the western Gulf of Alaska suggests that deglaciation occurred 1,500-2,000 years earlier than previously thought. This finding opens the door for re-evaluating coastal migration models for the Americas.
A new study reveals intense warm intervals in the Arctic over the past 2.8 million years, corresponding closely with times when parts of Antarctica were ice-free and also warm. The findings suggest strong inter-hemispheric climate connectivity and imply that the polar regions are more vulnerable to change than previously thought.
The study of Lake El'gygytgyn sediment cores reveals extreme warm periods in the Arctic correspond with ice-free and warm times in Antarctica, linking the two hemispheres. The findings suggest additional climate feedbacks are at work and challenge current climate models.
The University of Nevada, Reno is supporting the commercial harvesting of invasive crayfish at Lake Tahoe to improve clarity and take away a food source for other invasive species. The estimated 220 million crayfish could be harvested, stimulating local tourism and providing a new market for restaurants.
Researchers developed a screening tool to predict microcystin levels in lakes prone to blue-green algal blooms. The tool uses phycocyanin measurements and water transparency to provide a quick and affordable assessment of the toxin's presence.
Research confirms long-lasting severe droughts in western US throughout history, including 200-year megadroughts in the Sierra Nevada. Scientists used advanced sonar tools and tree-ring analysis to determine precipitation levels over the past 12,000 years.
A new USGS study using LiDAR technology confirms the existence of previously suspected faults west of Lake Tahoe, increasing seismic hazard assessment for the region. The study also identifies an earthquake-induced landslide hazard along the fault-formed range front.
Researchers have made groundbreaking discoveries about ancient geological events. Green rust formations were found in Indonesia, while historical sulfide concentrations were reconstructed in the Black Sea using molybdenum isotopes, providing new insights into past environmental conditions.
Researchers studied geological formations across the globe, including the Coast Range basalt province and the Faroe Islands. They discovered evidence of plume-influenced magmatism and fault rock types that can help model fluid migration and distribution. Additionally, a study on the Wairarapa fault in New Zealand investigated the geome...
Scientists from University of Utah and Harvard develop method to detect changes in CO2 emissions of 15% or more using three monitoring stations. The method is a proof-of-concept step towards verifying compliance with future greenhouse gas treaties.
Researchers analyzed sedimentary and geochemical records from Rantin Lake to reconstruct past water-level changes and understand the timing and magnitude of prehistoric climate events. The study found that rapid climate change events occurred during the Holocene, with a notable 'megadrought' in the early period.
Researchers found a direct solar-climate linkage on centennial timescales using sediment analysis from Lake Meerfelder Maar. The study suggests a mechanism explaining the relation between weak sun and climate change, with positive feedback effects.
Researchers are analyzing lake cores for pollen, charcoal, and organisms to understand past biotic changes over 500,000 years. They aim to improve models predicting how life will adapt to today's environmental pressures and inform state planning on climate change.
Research from NASA-funded scientists uses data from Cassini and Huygens spacecraft to estimate how long Titan's methane factory has been operating, with estimated ages ranging from 10 million to 1.6 billion years. The study provides new perspectives on the history of Titan's atmosphere.
A team led by Dr. Rachel Morgan-Kiss sampled Lake Bonney's ice-covered waters to study the single-celled organisms that inhabit it. These microbes play a crucial role in global climate change, with their mixotrophic metabolism influencing carbon cycling.
Research finds Himalayan glacier shrinkage scenarios exaggerated, with average length decreases of 15-20 meters and area losses of 0.1-0.6 percent per year. Glaciers are more variable than predicted, posing a threat to local populations and glacial lakes.
Researchers used gravity and seismic geophysical methods to study the San Juan volcanic field in Colorado, revealing new constraints on its development. In Alaska, subducting plate geology was studied during three great earthquake ruptures, providing insights into tsunamis and future earthquake hazards.
Scientists have identified active faults in the Pacific Northwest region, which could produce earthquakes with magnitudes between 6 and 6.5. A volcano in Greece has also reawakened, causing significant swelling of the land near the caldera, suggesting an influx of magma into a chamber below the surface.
A CU-Boulder study shows that massive releases of meltwater from surface lakes on the Greenland Ice Sheet are causing it to slide faster into the ocean. This could accelerate sea-level rise and have implications for coastal communities.
Geologists uncover distinct mantle sources for Sierra Nevada volcanism, shedding light on the region's youth and seismic activity. A warmer, wetter climate characterized large mammals in Western Nevada, contrary to today's Sierran orographic rain shadow.
A new study reveals that the number of vertebrate predators and food availability influence epidemic size and host evolution. Daphnia populations evolve increased susceptibility to yeast infection in lakes with fewer resources and high predation.
A freshwater zooplankton species, Daphnia dentifera, evolves quickly to balance infection resistance and reproduction during epidemics. The number of vertebrate predators and food availability influence the size of epidemics and host evolution.
Lake Christina's transformation from clear waters to murky state has impacted migrating ducks and fish. Extensive modern records and sediment analysis reveal a 200-year history of management, leading scientists to propose bottom-up landscape management to restore the lake's ecosystem.
A new study published in Nature Geoscience suggests that the Eastern branch of the East African Rift system is approximately 25-30 million years old, nearly doubling its previously estimated age. This discovery has important implications for understanding climate change models, faunal evolution, and the development of Africa's unique l...
Researchers tracked Lake Erie water snakes using Lotek Archival Tags (LATs) to study their habits and diet, finding that they spend more time foraging than previously estimated. The findings suggest that native snake species can help combat the invasive round goby fish population in Lake Erie.
In 2012, areas usually covered in snow are bare due to La Niña conditions and a strong Arctic Oscillation. The resulting snow cover is significantly lower than in 2011, with the Great Lakes, Rocky Mountains, and East Coast experiencing less snow.
Research reveals Pacific chorus frogs are effective carriers of deadly chytridiomycosis, surviving infection with high levels of infection. The species' unique skin feature allows it to carry the disease without showing symptoms, contributing to its spread.
A study by Queen Mary University of London found that common carp have driven Louisiana red swamp crayfish away from Lake Naivasha, leading to a shift in the food web. The carp's dominance has resulted in the crayfish being forced to eat lower-quality diets, making it nearly impossible to catch them.
Scientists have discovered primary exhalative hydrothermal dolostone in the Santanghu area of Xinjiang, China. The dolostone is believed to have formed via mantle-originated hydrothermal activities, providing valuable evidence for primary dolomite formation in geological history.
Three scientific expeditions, including a Russian team that drilled 2.5 miles through ice to reach Lake Vostok's ancient water, aim to uncover secrets about life in the Frozen Continent. The teams will analyze water samples and nutrient sources from lakes deep beneath the surface of Antarctica.
Researchers analyze lake sediment cores to infer past forest fire frequency and explore the success of First Nations' historical fire management strategies. They suggest a mixed approach combining controlled burning, silviculture, and aggressive fire suppression to mitigate increasing forest fires in Canada.
A study of Enol lake sediments reveals significant environmental changes throughout the last 13,500 years, including climatic differences amongst previously thought 'stable' periods. The research highlights human impact on the environment, particularly pasture and deforestation.
A team of four British engineers has successfully paved the way to explore an ancient lake buried beneath 3 km of Antarctic ice. The Lake Ellsworth Programme aims to yield new knowledge about the evolution of life on Earth and other planets, while extracting vital clues about the Earth's past climate.
Researchers at California Institute of Technology developed a computer model that explains the distribution of clouds, lakes, and rainstorms on Titan. The model attributes these phenomena to the interaction between sunlight, atmospheric circulation, and methane reservoirs on the surface.
The Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies has received a major grant to develop an innovative graduate training program in freshwater ecology, focusing on lake conservation and sustainability. The GLEON Graduate Fellows Program will train the next generation of scientists in leadership, research, and communication skills.
A comprehensive study of 36 lakes in the USA, Canada, Greenland, and Svalbard reveals that biologically active nitrogen from human sources can be traced back to the end of the 19th century. The rate of change has accelerated over the past 60 years, coinciding with the commercialization of artificial fertilizer production.
Historical analysis of lake sediments reveals nitrogen pollution from human activities has polluted remote lakes worldwide for over a century. The findings suggest that excess nitrogen contributes to smog, acid rain, and water pollution in these ecosystems.
Researchers at Indiana University find increasing concentrations of new flame retardants in atmospheric samples, particularly in urban areas, suggesting potential environmental impact.
A Danish research team has developed a new DNA-based method to monitor rare and threatened animal species in freshwater environments, showing it can be effective even for extremely rare populations. The study found a clear correlation between DNA detection and population density, enabling the estimation of population sizes.
Two studies investigate geological history of Grenville Province and thermal properties of Antarctica's Victoria Land Basin. A new educational program also enhances science education among educators participating in the ANDRILL research initiative.
Researchers found that several native fish species have incorporated the bloody red shrimp into their diet over multi-seasonal periods. The study suggests these fish are adapting to the invasive species, alleviating concerns about its impact on native populations.
Researchers have found a body of liquid water on Europa, similar to the North American Great Lakes, which could support life. The newly discovered lake is covered by floating ice shelves that facilitate nutrient and energy transfer between the surface and a vast ocean below.
Elena Litchman leads a $2 million NSF grant to study Lake Baikal's adaptation to climate change. The research aims to understand how the lake's endemic species will respond to rising temperatures and human-induced stress, with potential implications for global ecosystems.
Researchers have discovered evidence of a late Pleistocene landslide-dammed lake along California's Eel River, which formed around 22,500 years ago. The lake's existence explains the genetic similarity between two types of ocean-going steelhead trout found in the river today.
Scientists at University of Oregon and Caltech discovered a 22,500-year-old landslide dammed the upper reaches of the Eel River, forming a 30-mile-long lake that disappeared over time. The lake's presence may explain genetic similarity among steelhead trout found in the river today.
A University of Tennessee microbiologist is working on a biofilter to remove harmful algal toxins from water. The project aims to reduce the risk of toxins passing into water distribution systems and restore safe water resources.
The December 2011 Geology issue presents several studies. Researchers discovered microfossils in the Tayshir Formation, Mongolia, shedding light on ancient life forms. Additionally, a study investigated melt migration mechanisms, finding evidence for porosity waves in the sub-arc mantle of Kohistan Island Arc.
University of Utah researchers are using the Doppler on Wheels radar truck to study eight to 10 snow and rain storms during its time in Utah. The truck's radar system provides detailed information on the size and shape of snowflakes, lake-effect snow patterns, and other storm characteristics.
Researchers are testing a new device that can measure contaminants with unprecedented precision, accuracy and sensitivity at Superfund sites. The device will evaluate the health effects of five specific compounds on two species of marine organisms.
Researchers from the University of Leicester are working with Kenyan partners to develop demonstration projects for an ecologically sustainable source of flowers grown at Lake Naivasha. The project aims to reduce water use, improve ecosystem health, and increase access to clean water for local communities.
Researchers at Intermountain Medical Center found that fetal heart rate patterns may lead to unnecessary C-sections and increased costs. Category II patterns, considered indeterminate, are often misclassified, resulting in lower Apgar scores and NICU admissions.