Articles tagged with Lakes
The metagenomics field is gaining traction, allowing researchers to reconstruct metabolic profiles of microbes from environmental samples. DOE JGI's advancements in this area are crucial for understanding microbial diversity, as they have characterized many metagenomes across various ecosystems, including acid mine drainage and gut env...
A Brown-led research team has discovered that the Lake Tanganyika area's climate is linked to ocean and atmospheric patterns in the Northern Hemisphere. The region's rainfall sensitivity is high, with small changes triggering significant precipitation fluctuations.
Researchers use infrared sensors and thermal imagery to detect hot water plumes in frozen lakes, predicting power plant energy production. They also measure hot air temperature using surface temperatures of fan blades and motors.
Scientists have made significant progress in understanding the impact of dust on climate, with a new study using CALIPSO data to map global dust distribution. Another study found that a new Earth System Model can better represent global climate effects in the Amazon basin. Additionally, researchers have identified key dust sources in A...
A CU-Boulder study suggests that growing numbers of dams and impoundments are facilitating the spread of invasive species into natural lakes. The research team found that such species can create 'stepping-stone habitats' for further invasion, posing risks to lake ecosystems.
Numerical simulations of nutrient transport changes in Honghu Lake Basin revealed that human activities increased rapidly and became a dominant factor in changes of the nutrient transportation. The study found variations in nutrient production and concentration, with increasing rates of eutrophication over time.
Researchers have successfully sequenced the complete genome of a microbe that eats methylamine, a form of ammonia, using lake mud as a sample. The study showcases a new method for discovering unknown organisms and has significant implications for understanding ecological cycles and monitoring microbial population shifts.
The New Zealand mud snail is outcompeting native species, altering food chains and ecosystems in the Great Lakes. Research suggests the snails can survive being frozen for short periods, making control difficult.
Researchers explore the application of ecosystem services approaches to conservation, finding that preserving these benefits is more economically and environmentally valuable. Studies reveal tradeoffs among ecosystem services and highlight the importance of considering long-term perspectives in management actions.
Scientists confirmed a surface liquid lake on Titan, measuring approximately 235 kilometers long and filled with liquid ethane. The discovery was made using the Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) instrument on NASA's Cassini orbiter.
Researchers found that living in a walkable neighborhood can reduce the risk of obesity by up to six pounds. The study used census data from Salt Lake County and found that neighborhoods built before 1950 were associated with lower BMI values.
Scientists have discovered a new fossil in Antarctica that suggests the polar region was once much warmer. The fossils, found in an ancient lake, date back 14 million years and provide evidence of a substantial cooling of the Antarctic climate.
A 37-year experiment on Lake 227 found that controlling nitrogen levels does not correct polluted lakes and may exacerbate the issue. The study's results contradict EU practices and previous research, highlighting the severity of cultural eutrophication globally.
Researchers found evidence of a water-rich environment in ancient southern highlands of Mars, with phyllosilicate deposits indicating low-temperature mineral formation. The team's discovery suggests a benign, habitable environment during the Noachian period.
Two new studies reveal vast lakes, flowing rivers and various wet environments on ancient Mars, suggesting the planet may have been habitable. The discoveries were made using data from NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, which found clay minerals and phyllosilicates in ancient highlands dating back to 4.6 billion years ago.
Researchers found a general link between increased acidity and decreased bacterial diversity, but most dominant species were not directly impacted. Some rarer types of bacteria were strongly correlated to acidity and might be used as indicators of lake recovery.
Researchers are using single-person submersibles to collect samples from a lake in BC that may hold vital clues to the history of life on Earth. The dives aim to develop a baseline understanding of life on our planet, with potential applications for future Mars missions.
Researchers at Oregon State University successfully relocated Caspian terns to a new nesting site at Crump Lake, finding over 135 nesting pairs. The move aims to reduce the birds' impact on threatened and endangered salmon populations in the Columbia River estuary.
The June issue of GEOSPHERE discusses delamination models for the Columbia River Basalt Group, a USGS Great Basin Paleontological Database with 150 years of fossil data, and 3D modeling techniques in Oklahoma and Ireland. Geochemical processes also contribute to contamination in northern Mexico's Rio Conchos basin.
Diporeia, a small crustacean, has declined dramatically in Lake Michigan and other Great Lakes, threatening the ecosystem and $4 billion sport fishing industry. Researchers are exploring possible causes, including invasive mussels and pollutants like pesticides and PCBs.
Researchers at the University of Helsinki solved the structure of archaeal virus SH1 to one nanometre resolution, revealing details about its biological membrane, genomic matter, and protein coat. The study suggests a possible common viral structural protein ancestor found in adenoviruses.
Scientists analyzed 15 major earthquakes and found at least 12 triggered small quakes hundreds to thousands of miles away. The study shows large earthquakes routinely trigger smaller jolts globally, contradicting previous assumptions that seismically active regions were most vulnerable.
A researcher at the University of Western Ontario is studying the relationship between global warming, nutrient enrichment, and lake systems to understand the complex dynamics of climate change. The study aims to identify how human activities impact regional temperature, hydroclimates, and aquatic ecosystems.
The USGS Great Lakes Beach Health Initiative aims to enhance water-quality forecasting and provide decision-making tools for effective beach closure management. Scientists will focus on improving models, identifying pathogen processes, and evaluating rapid monitoring methods.
Researchers discovered that Lake Washington sticklebacks adapted to increased trout predation after water transparency improved, leading to rapid evolution of bony armor. The study found that genetic variation and the Eda gene played key roles in this process.
A new NASA-led study finds human-caused climate change has made significant impacts on Earth's natural systems, including permafrost thawing and plant blooming earlier across Europe. The study concludes that human-caused warming is resulting in a broad range of impacts across the globe.
A new report by the Ecological Society of America finds that restoring fish populations in the Great Lakes leads to a shift in herring gull diet, with birds opting for terrestrial food instead. This change may have severe consequences for other species, such as terns, which are more closely tied to aquatic environments.
The freshwater herring of Lake Tanganyika have a marine invasion origin dating back 25-50 million years. Their DNA analysis suggests that they colonized the lake during its early formation, leading to their unique diversity.
Researchers confirm structure of Greenland Ice Sheet plumbing and find that summertime melt indeed contributes to the speed up of ice loss. However, they also conclude that summertime melt is not as critical a factor as other causes of ice loss.
Researchers found that surface meltwater is responsible for only a few percent of the movement of Greenland's outlet glaciers, despite being a major factor in their acceleration. Meltwater is instead thought to play a more significant role in calving events, which contribute to ice loss.
Researchers found that surface meltwater can penetrate thick ice and accelerate ice flow, with a significant impact on fast-moving outlet glaciers. The study suggests a new plumbing system for the ice sheet, where meltwater can lubricate the base and reduce friction.
Cyanobacteria blooms are becoming more frequent and widespread due to global warming, posing a threat to human health and water ecosystems. The algae can cause digestive, neurological, and skin diseases in humans, and deplete oxygen in water reservoirs.
Researchers at U-M have developed a ballast-free ship concept that can block non-native aquatic species from entering the Great Lakes while eliminating costly sterilization equipment. The design reduces power consumption by up to 7.3% and would save shipping companies millions of dollars.
Scientists have discovered a possible once-habitable ancient lake on Mars using NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. The image of Holden crater shows layers of fine sediments and minerals that formed in the presence of water, suggesting quiescent conditions that may preserve signatures of past habitability.
A new study reveals that the slightest environmental perturbation can tip an ecosystem's balance, with unpredictable and irreversible consequences. Icelandic midges provide a unique model to assess these dynamics, highlighting the fragility of ecosystems and the importance of understanding their responses to human-induced changes.
A study of Lake Bloomington, a major source of drinking water for central Illinois residents, reveals high nitrate concentrations exceeding safe levels. The research aims to inform producers on nitrogen fertilizer management in sensitive watershed areas.
Researchers create hair analysis method to track past movements of suspects or unidentified murder victims based on hydrogen and oxygen isotope levels. The technique helps identify general geographic areas where individuals drank water, providing a valuable lead for law enforcement.
A new CU-Boulder study reveals a 500% increase in West US dust levels over the past two centuries, primarily caused by westward expansion and livestock grazing. The research indicates 'dust fall' is five to seven times heavier than at any time in the previous 5,000 years.
Researchers have found that 400 chemicals resist breaking down in the environment, affecting fish and wildlife, and potentially human health. The study also reveals pesticides can be more toxic when combined, threatening salmon populations and human health.
A robotic probe called ENDURANCE will test its performance in cold, icy conditions on Lake Mendota, simulating the environment of Jupiter's moon Europa. The probe is designed to map underwater environments and collect data on biological conditions.
Hydroelectricity dams are decreasing Lake Victoria's level by at least two meters, threatening food security and fisheries in Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania. The dams' overuse has led to papyrus wetland collapse, eutrophication, and algal blooms, with far-reaching consequences for the lake's ecosystem and local populations.
Research team finds PCBs and DDE in Chicago night-heron eggs, but no negative effects on reproduction. Populations remain stable amidst ongoing contamination from Lake Michigan.
Researchers found potentially dangerous levels of mercury and arsenic in Lake Baiyangdian, a source of drinking water for thousands. The study highlights the need to apply US environmental research to China's rapidly industrializing environment.
A University of Cincinnati researcher, Dionysios Dionysiou, received a $698,689 EPA grant to investigate processes used to purify drinking water and remove cyanobacterial toxins. The research aims to develop cost-efficient technologies to treat water contaminated by such toxins.
A new international study will determine whether American eel population decline is caused by chemical pollution in Lake Ontario. The research aims to identify the impact of toxic chemicals on eel populations, habitats, and human consumers.
Researchers have found that muds can accumulate even when currents move swiftly, contradicting long-held assumptions. This discovery has significant implications for harbor and canal engineering, oil reservoir management, and fossil fuel prospecting.
A new study suggests that nearly 60% of the US is at high risk for zebra mussel invasion due to low calcium levels in streams and lakes. The invasive species could spread rapidly through connecting waterways and recreational boating, causing millions of dollars in damage and ecological harm.
A new national map assesses the risk of zebra and quagga mussel invasion in US waterways, with nearly 60% of land areas classified as high-risk. The map uses calcium concentrations to predict mussel distributions, highlighting regions where management resources should be targeted.
A study by Indiana University researchers found Dechlorane Plus, a chlorinated flame retardant, in tree bark across the northeastern US, with highest concentrations near the Niagara Falls factory. Tree bark can serve as a natural passive sampling device to detect airborne chemicals.
Researchers have successfully thawed ice from Lake Vostok, an ancient lake beneath Antarctica, in search of microorganisms that may hold secrets to surviving in extreme environments. The team aims to gain insights into how these tiny organisms adapted to live in darkness and isolation.
Researchers from UCL and EPA discover that brown water color change is indicative of reduced acid rain, leading to more organic matter in rivers. The study's findings suggest that waters are returning to a pre-industrial state, but further research is needed on the implications for freshwaters.
Scientists at the University of Utah report that Yellowstone's caldera floor has risen by almost 3 inches per year for three years, with a total uplift of 7 inches during the past 30 months. This rate is more than three times faster than previous observations and may be due to an injection of a Los Angeles-sized blob of molten rock.
A study by the University of Pittsburgh found that commercially sold white bass contained higher levels of mercury, arsenic, and selenium than those caught near former industrial areas. The pollutants were linked to coal-burning pollution through air emissions and water pollution.
A team of scientists identified lakes as a new likely source of prehistoric methane, which could have contributed up to 87% of the early Holocene methane spike. The findings suggest that large releases from lakes may occur again in the future with global warming.
Rochester Institute of Technology will conduct a year-long study on reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from freight transportation in the Great Lakes region. The project aims to compare different modes of transportation, including shipping, road, and rail, based on cost, energy use, emissions, and time-of-delivery.
Researchers discovered extreme droughts in tropical Africa between 135,000 to 90,000 years ago, which may have led to the Out-of-Africa hypothesis that all humans descended from a few people living in Africa. The study also found that fish evolution in Lake Malawi was altered due to these megadroughts.
Researchers found that aquatic life in Ward Hunt Lake has undergone significant transformations over the last two centuries, with abrupt changes in algae population and diatom presence. The lake's conditions have become more favorable for algae growth, raising concerns about climate change's impact on Arctic ecosystems.
Scientists at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute have discovered an established population of invasive Harris mud crabs in the Panama Canal's Miraflores Third Lock Lake. The crustaceans, native to North America, are known to cause environmental and economic harm, fouling pipes and preying on fish in gill nets.
A three-year study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that an increase in mercury loading resulted in a significant increase in methylmercury production and accumulation in fish. The study suggests that reducing atmospheric mercury emissions can lead to lower mercury levels in fish within a few years.
A UC-Riverside hydrologist will study the ecological impact of climate change on mountain lakes, focusing on atmospheric deposition of nutrients. The research aims to understand how nutrient enrichment affects lake productivity and ecology, with potential implications for regulatory agencies setting air quality standards.