Research on lakes and freshwater. Covers waterborne illness, AI algal-bloom technology, freshwater carbon, and cyanobacteria toxin detection.
Research highlights rapidly declining fish numbers in inland waters globally, with total catch quadrupling since 1950 and biodiversity at risk. Inland water fishing pressure shifts from species to species, leading to ecosystem collapse if left unmanaged.
The American Geosciences Institute announced the winners of its Earth Science Week 2005 contests. James Pugh won the Visual Art Contest with his drawing 'Volcanologists: It's a Hot Job,' while Robert Kendle took home the Essay Contest prize for his essay on paleontology and geoscientist aspirations.
Researchers found major increases in chlorophyll a concentration in six lakes on Baffin Island, indicating dramatic changes in ecosystem function. This increase occurred approximately 150 years ago, coinciding with the start of the Industrial Revolution and increased human impact on global atmospheric chemistry.
A study by Louisiana State University researchers has found that Katrina floodwaters were not as toxic as previously thought, but still contained high levels of certain metals and bacteria. The findings suggest that while the floodwaters posed some risks to human health, they were not the chemical catastrophe initially predicted.
Researchers discovered that closely related cichlid species use different subsets of visual pigments to shape their color vision. Each species primarily expresses three cone pigment genes encoded by its genome, allowing for unique adaptations to their environments and ecological niches.
A synthetic pheromone has been found to effectively control Great Lakes lamprey populations by attracting them to traps and sterilizing males. The pheromone, PADS, was isolated after 15 years of research and is expected to be environmentally friendly and less expensive than current methods.
Researchers document a significant shift from wetlands to woodland and forest in the Kenai Peninsula Lowlands due to climate change. The transformation threatens biodiversity, habitat loss for migratory birds, and increased wildfire risks.
Researchers discovered an isotopic anomaly in osmium from a primitive meteorite, shedding light on the star types that contributed elements to the solar system. The findings challenge previous theories of incomplete mixing of different dust sources and instead suggest presolar stardust may have survived and preserved its signature.
A University of Cincinnati team is interviewing Inupiaq elders to better understand and predict future environmental changes, combining western science with traditional knowledge. The research focuses on climate and environment on Alaska's North Slope, with unique findings on the impacts of global warming.
The emerald ash borer's invasive beetle population is rapidly spreading in Ontario's ash forests, despite containment efforts. The insect's distribution expanded dramatically in 2004, infecting new sites beyond a previously created firewall in Essex County.
The six most threatened National Wildlife Refuges in the US are at risk due to development and human activity, which deplete critical buffer zones. These areas provide essential resources for wildlife survival, highlighting the need for conservation efforts and cooperation with private landowners.
The study reveals that wintering waterbirds, primarily tufted ducks and coots, deplete mussel populations by over 90% in waters up to 11m deep. This top-down effect has a significant impact on the littoral community, with mussels recovering during summer months.
A new study models phosphorus loading into Lake Mendota, finding that the buildup of phosphorus in soils is likely to be the source of serious chronic environmental problems for hundreds of years. The research suggests that restoring water quality is unlikely unless soil erosion is greatly reduced and new technologies are developed.
Researchers propose that reservoir construction creates ideal conditions for exotic aquatic species to thrive and spread. Studies suggest that reservoirs can facilitate the invasion of invasive species such as Daphnia lumholtzi and zebra mussels.
The May GEOLOGY media highlights featured articles on the preservation of a unique coal-bearing succession in the Pennsylvanian Joggins Formation and the role of evaporite withdrawal. Seismic profiles also showed that layers of salt were able to flow and rise to the surface, leading to subsidence and preservation. Additionally, researc...
A warmer climate could lead to increased road salt use due to more precipitation falling as sleet and freezing rain, but this might also reduce ski traffic and winter economy. The study aims to model climate change impacts on salt and sand usage in the Adirondack Park.
Researchers found that round goby abundance has increased dramatically throughout the Great Lakes basin since its arrival in 1990, leading to concerns over native species extinctions. Gobies have been shown to eat eggs and young of various native species, contributing to their decline or extinction.
Researchers use network theory to find invasion hubs where invasive species spread fastest, targeting control efforts at these points. The study found Lake Muskoka and two other lakes as potential invasion hubs in Canada.
A new international study suggests that climate change is causing dramatic changes in the community composition of freshwater algae, water fleas, and insect larvae in five circumpolar countries. The team's findings indicate that climate-related phenomena like receding ice cover in lakes are associated with these changes.
Researchers have discovered that the George VI Ice Shelf experienced a significant retreat around 9,500 years ago, driven by changes in ocean currents. This finding challenges the long-held assumption that rising air temperatures are the primary cause of ice shelf collapse.
Scientists are restoring the marshes of Eden in southern Iraq, which were devastated under Saddam Hussein's rule. The project aims to rebuild wetland ecosystems and reacquaint local experts after two decades of isolation.
The oldest known fossils of Homo sapiens have been found in Ethiopia and date back to 195,000 years ago. This pushes the emergence of anatomically modern humans back by approximately 30,000 years, with implications for our understanding of human cultural development.
Researchers reconstructed climatic conditions in western Egypt 130,000 years ago, finding a humid event that supported human presence and wildlife. The study provides new insights into the dispersal of humans out of Africa and the impact of climate change on ancient societies.
Researchers found a new strain of Acaryochloris that uses infrared light for oxygen-evolving photosynthesis, opening up new habitats for oxygen production. The discovery reveals 'gene-jumping' between cyanobacteria and proteobacteria, rewriting the evolutionary timeline.
Researchers analyzed over 100 water samples in the Sierra Nevada and found that more than half had no water quality issues. E. coli and other bacteria pose a greater risk of waterborne illnesses than Giardia in this region.
A catastrophic flood from ancient Glacial Lake Iroquois may have triggered the Intra-Allerod Cold Period and the Younger Dryas cold climate event. The team analyzed sediment cores, walrus fossils, and pollen to precisely date the discharge of freshwater into the North Atlantic.
Researchers found sharks can detect geomagnetic field changes, which may aid navigation. This discovery builds upon previous studies on bird navigation.
Geologists have discovered evidence of massive ice-dammed lakes in the Himalayas, which burst and caused catastrophic floods. The discovery provides new insights into the geological history of the region and its impact on the surrounding landscape.
A University of Colorado at Boulder research team has discovered evidence of microbial activity in a rock glacier, a barren environment previously thought to be devoid of life. The discovery includes traces of dissolved organic material and high levels of nitrates, suggesting microbes metabolize nitrogen within the glacier.
The USGS warns that avian cholera could spread from the Great Salt Lake as eared grebes migrate to wintering areas, where they congregate in dense groups. The disease is highly contagious among bird species and can sweep through wetlands quickly, killing thousands of birds in a single outbreak.
Researchers studied Tanytrachelos ahynis fossils from the late Triassic Cow Branch Formation, finding no significant differences in size or morphology between populations of the same species. The team analyzed over 90 specimens and discovered that environmental factors rather than intrinsic differences may be responsible for preservati...
Scientists at Indiana University and the EPA will study the circulation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) between the air and Great Lakes, aiming to inform new clean-up policies. Elevated PCB levels have led to fish consumption advisories for all five Great Lakes, with implications for human health.
A new study suggests that most people's diets get healthier from childhood to young adulthood. Adults tend to consume more fruit and vegetables and less fat and sugar compared to their child years. However, many people perceive barriers to healthy eating, such as lack of time and work patterns.
Researchers found that two prokaryotes merged to form the first eukaryote, creating a 'ring of life' that has significant implications for all multicellular forms of life. The study sheds light on the origins of eukaryotes and their genetic background.
NASA's TOPEX/Poseidon and Jason-1 satellites offer near-real-time lake water height data for 350 of the world's largest lakes. The US Department of Agriculture uses this information to manage irrigation and forecast crop production, particularly in areas with limited access to traditional water level gauges.
Despite searching for large lakes and seas, no conclusive evidence of water has been found. However, the Spirit rover did uncover small amounts of water in rock samples. The team also took spectacular photographs of Martian landscapes, including 3-D images that provided valuable insights.
Researchers at the University of Nevada, Reno recorded a cluster of nearly 1,600 small earthquakes beneath Lake Tahoe, causing the nearby Slide Mountain to rise by 8 millimeters. The earthquakes coincided with an unprecedented uplift of the mountain, which scientists believe was caused by magma movement about 20 miles deep.
A study by University of Toronto researchers found high levels of mercury in sport-fish eaters' blood, particularly among Asian-Canadians. The findings emphasize the need for ongoing surveillance and education to minimize health risks from contaminated fish consumption.
The study suggests that lakes can have either a high or low abundance of invasive rusty crayfish, favoring native species or altering fish populations. Researchers believe alternate states of crayfish abundance may exist among lakes, allowing for strategies to remove these invaders and restore habitats.
A team of scientists led by a URI oceanographer will extract long sediment cores from Lake Bosumtwi to study West African monsoon dynamics and tropical climate linkages. The research aims to improve understanding of Earth's climate system.
Scientists found prolonged changes in hydrothermal activity after a magnitude-7.9 Denali fault earthquake in Alaska triggered more than 1,000 small earthquakes in Yellowstone within a week. Some geysers erupted more frequently while others less often due to changes in water pressure and underground conduits.
Engineers at Ohio State University determined which computer models perform well for monitoring Great Lakes water quality, aiding studies of global climate change. The study used satellite images to gauge algae levels in Lake Erie and other lakes, enabling scientists to remove atmospheric interference and compare model performance.
Researchers using GPS satellites have discovered a pattern of land movement across North America, with Canadian sites rising and US sites south of the Great Lakes sinking. This post-glacial rebound affects not only industries but also international water management.
A study by UC Berkeley post-doctoral fellow Vance T. Vredenburg shows that non-native trout have devastated native frog populations in high-Sierra lakes, but removing fish allows the frogs to flourish. The mountain yellow-legged frog has declined dramatically due to introduced trout, with only 5,000 adults remaining in its range.
A recent study by Michigan State University researchers has found that lakes invaded by zebra mussels have three times higher levels of a toxic algae and twice the levels of its deadly toxin, microcystins. The discovery raises concerns about the potential reversal of water quality gains made in recent years.
A study by Queen's University researchers found that taste and odour-causing algae have increased in 90% of lakes in the Muskoka-Haliburton region since the early 1800s. The increase is attributed to climate change and acidic deposition, with significant rises over the past two decades.
Researchers found that lake classification systems can increase property value by protecting lakes from overdevelopment and preserving environmental quality. In Vilas County, Wisconsin, homeowners who adopted a lake classification system saw significant increases in property prices due to their commitment to environmental preservation.
The AAAS panel on human-nature interactions examines six NSF-supported projects focusing on urban development, Polynesian culture, and shoreline development. Biocomplexity researchers discuss the linkages between human behaviors and natural systems, highlighting the importance of interdisciplinary approaches and new technologies.
A new study reveals that a significant part of the aquatic food chain is supported by terrestrial organic matter originating on the shoreline. Aquatic plants produce organic carbon through photosynthesis, which supports fish and invertebrate populations.
A study by Pace and colleagues found that 40-55% of lake plant production supports resident aquatic life, while 2250% of zooplankton is derived from terrestrial sources. The results suggest that aquatic food chains are supported not only by in-water production but also by organic matter from surrounding watersheds.
Native C4 plants faced disastrous consequences during prolonged severe droughts in the middle Holocene, contrary to expectations. Weedy C3 plants adapted well due to their ability to exploit limited water resources, highlighting a key difference between C3 and C4 plant responses.
Researchers from Ohio State University discovered that Blood Falls is the last remnant of an ancient salt-water lake, formed when sea levels were higher. The lake probably existed 5 million years ago, and its remains are being slowly pushed out by the glacier.
Researchers found microbial communities with a pH level of 12.8, surpassing known natural environments. The microbes are related to bacteria found in highly alkaline waters and tufa columns around the world.
Researchers found that glacial icebergs carried boulders, known as erratics, from the Rocky Mountains to Rattlesnake Mountain in south-central Washington. The rocks were deposited along northeast-running gullies and show signs of weathering, suggesting they were carried by older Ice Age floods.
A Texas A&M University researcher is conducting a study of the Valle de Bravo reservoir near Mexico City to understand the factors contributing to its pollution. The study aims to provide useful information for the Mexican government to improve its water management practices and protect public health.
Researchers found cycles lasting 200, 435, 590 and 950 years that reflect changes in solar intensity and sea ice extent. The patterns match cyclic changes in solar irradiance and North Atlantic sea ice, suggesting a link between solar variations and climate.
The Ward Hunt Ice Shelf's sudden break-up in 2002 led to the loss of a freshwater lake with unique biological communities. The rupture was attributed to long-term warming and climate changes.
A NASA scientist has discovered a new species of organism that thrives in a salty, alkaline environment without oxygen. The Spirochaeta americana microorganism can survive in conditions inhospitable to humans and is of great interest to astrobiologists studying the possibility of life on Mars.
Researchers chart seismic effects on water levels to better understand the impact of earthquakes on hydrology. The study found that wells and aquifers respond differently to earthquakes than surface water, with effects recorded at greater distances.
Researchers confirm that particulate air pollution and ozone react with pollutants over Lake Michigan, generating more toxic compounds. City residents may experience high concentrations of hazardous substances before they dissipate, increasing the risk of asthma attacks.