Articles tagged with Lakes
New England waters show little net change in acidity despite Clean Air Act reductions, researchers say; further changes expected as nitrogen regulations take effect.
New mapping data reveals dramatic changes in Earth's crust beneath Lake Vostok, indicating a faultline and supporting the idea that thermal energy comes from tectonic processes. The lake's unique ecosystem may contain microorganisms with distinct adaptations to extreme environments.
Otter populations are declining due to parasite infections, with 60% of dead otters infected. The parasite is spread through storm drains and creeks, affecting water quality. Invasive fish like ruffe and gobies also pressure yellow perch in Lake Michigan, depleting resources for sport fishing.
Scientists uncover a unique ecosystem in Lake Vida, with ancient organic material and sediment, and a liquid zone beneath the ice. The discovery provides insights into the evolution of life on Earth and potentially offers clues to finding signs of ancient Martian microbial life.
Researchers find liquid lake beneath 62 feet of ice, containing seven times the saltiness of normal seawater. The isolated brine is believed to harbor life due to its chemical composition, with microbes returning to life after gradual melting.
Researchers use tree ring analysis to estimate salmon returns, following historical catch records. The study provides insights into the relationship between tree-ring growth and salmon populations, paving the way for more accurate reconstructions.
A study by Syracuse University researchers found that the frequency of El Niño events peaked around 1,200 years ago and may increase in the early part of the 22nd century. The 2,000-year cycle could have a significant impact on global climate conditions.
The GSA 2002 conference discusses the impacts of human activities on natural systems, including droughts, wildfires, and ground-water depletion. Researchers also explore the role of climate change in shaping Earth's history, as seen in sediment cores from the Great Blue Hole.
A team of scientists has analyzed sediment cores from 21 lakes in Vermont and New York to establish regional storm patterns. The findings indicate that intense rainstorms causing massive flooding are expected to increase frequency and severity over the coming years, with human activity contributing to this trend.
The Navy is using immersive simulation training, known as 'visceral reality,' to challenge fresh recruits through realistic and intense scenarios. This new approach aims to better equip sailors to deal with combat situations, providing a more effective training evolution.
Researchers present findings on Antarctic lake temperature changes, krill distribution under ice, and potential impacts on marine ecosystems. Climate-related changes in krill populations could trigger major ecosystem collapses.
The USGS will create maps and data to assess aquatic biodiversity in the Great Lakes region, which supports over 30 communities of unique plants and animals. The goal is to protect habitats and preserve species richness through conservation efforts across 49 states.
A study by MIT researchers found that nitrate pollution has a mitigating effect on arsenic release in polluted lakes. The discovery sheds light on the complex dynamics of water quality management and has implications for other pollutants, including phosphate and toxic metals.
Researchers tested the effectiveness of an electric barrier in preventing Asian carp from passing through a simulated barrier near Romeoville, Illinois. The study found that only one fish out of 381 attempts successfully passed through the barrier, and smaller fish were less susceptible to the electric current.
Researchers investigate active Archaean plate tectonics based on features in ultramafic blocks within oceanic crust remnants. Additionally, studies explore eukaryotic stromatolite builders' impact on Precambrian iron formations and atmospheric oxygenation.
Scientists are exploring the potential of Antarctica's subglacial lake to test sterile drilling techniques, which could also be used on Mars. The permafrost site is 2.8 kilometers below South Pole Station and contains a frozen mixture of ice and sediment.
The study aims to optimize planned control of the parasitic fish that have had a devastating impact on native fish populations in Lake Champlain and the Great Lakes. Anglers will be asked to collect marked sea lampreys from their catches, providing valuable data for researchers.
Researchers have discovered high levels of mercury contamination in the Still River and Housatonic River in Danbury, Connecticut, threatening human health through seafood consumption. A 'jubilee' phenomenon has also been recorded in Mobile Bay, Alabama, where abundant seafood is harvested during specific conditions.
A study by researchers at the University of Michigan found that lakeshore housing development affects breeding bird communities in ways that conventional methods may miss. The study suggests that property owners can take steps to lessen the effects, such as keeping lawns small and encouraging native vegetation.
A common soil bacterium produces a toxin that kills zebra mussels, causing major problems in water-dependent infrastructure. Preliminary tests indicate the microbe does not harm other species, paving the way for commercialization and potential use as an eco-friendly control agent.
A study at the Great Lakes meeting revealed that organically-grown oranges contain 30% more vitamin C than conventionally-grown fruits, defying common assumptions. The reason for this difference is unclear but may be attributed to the use of nitrogen fertilizers in conventional farming practices.
Researchers found that glaciers in the tropical Andes Mountains retreated several thousand years earlier than North American glaciers during a wet period, indicating temperature change was the primary cause of glacial retreat. This challenges conventional wisdom that high northern latitudes drive global climate change.
A new climate study found that glaciers in the tropical Andes Mountains retreated several thousand years earlier than North American glaciers during a period of wet climate conditions. The research contradicts traditional thinking on global glaciation and suggests an alternative trigger for climate change.
Scientists warn of significant global impacts from glacier decline, with effects on agriculture, water supplies, and ecosystems. Glacier melting may lead to both serious problems and short-term increases in water availability.
Changes in agricultural practices have led to improved water conditions on Lake Erie, with phosphorus levels from fertilizers decreasing by over 50% for all seasons. Climate change also played a role, increasing nitrogen levels by up to 500% due to winter runoff and soil leaching.
Researchers at Dartmouth College found that algae helps to reduce the concentration of methylmercury in Daphnia and fish by dispersing it widely throughout single-celled algae cells. This discovery has significant implications for understanding mercury biomagnification in aquatic ecosystems.
A young Amazonian manatee named Airuwe was successfully rehabilitated and released back into the wild with the help of a conservation program led by Dr. Greg Bossart. The rehabilitation program, which involved a community-led effort, showed that with proper care and support, orphaned manatees can thrive in their natural habitats.
Levels of nitrogen and sulfuric acid have decreased moderately in some Adirondack lakes, suggesting a decline in acidic levels. Long-term data is needed to confirm the changes and understand the underlying causes.
The U.S. Navy has deployed a mobile communications center to Salt Lake City for the Winter Olympics, offering reliable satellite links and connectivity. The system, developed by the Office of Naval Research, can provide telephone and data connectivity anywhere and even handle streaming video.
A recent study published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine found that men with higher levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were more likely to father boys. Researchers analyzed data from 208 children born to 101 families, where PCB levels were detectable in both fathers and mothers.
A study found that recreational boating can transport zebra mussels via entangled aquatic weeds, engine cooling systems, and live wells. The risk of spread to new water bodies is significant due to the high volume of transient boat traffic.
Researchers suggest that subglacial lakes in Antarctica may support unique microbial life forms. The lakes' extreme conditions could provide insights into the origins of life on Earth. Scientists are now planning international cooperation to explore these hidden ecosystems.
University of Cincinnati researchers are monitoring Arctic thaw lake basins using radiocarbon dating, pollen analysis, and remote sensing. The study aims to improve understanding of the role of interactions among land, atmosphere, and ice in the functioning of the Arctic System.
A Penn State study found that uniform speed limits can lead to different impacts on boats of different sizes. At speeds near 6-8 mph, prop wash can stir up lake sediments, aggravating turbulence problems. The study suggests a computer program to predict water velocity and guide lake managers in setting safe speeds.
The USGS reports that 45 million residents live in hurricane-prone areas, with population growth doubling since the 1960s. Coastal erosion is expected to result in 1,500 homes lost per year, with approximately 87,000 at risk within 60 years.
Low levels of estrogen hormones in water may be responsible for the feminization of wild fish, according to a recent study. Researchers found that very low concentrations of estrogenic compounds released from sewage treatment plants were causing intersex and altered sex ratios in aquarium fish.
Scientists have found that gradual changes in ecosystems can lead to catastrophic collapse, as even small disturbances can trigger irreversible shifts. This is evident in various ecosystems around the world, including coral reefs and forests.
Scientists analyzed the physical response of the Sea of Galilee to external forcing and found intense mixing occurred closest to shores, which could improve ocean forecasts. This understanding is crucial for predicting currents, temperatures, and other oceanic issues like fish development.
Invasive round gobies are interfering with mottled sculpin spawning in the Great Lakes, potentially affecting yellow perch populations. The study suggests that removing larger rocks from prime spawning sites or creating artificial shelters for sculpins could minimize goby breeding and encourage sculpin reproduction.
The study found that while some economically important species like walleye and smallmouth bass decline, others like black crappie and common carp increase in abundance. The researchers conclude that ecosystem recovery is a positive sign, despite trade-offs in managing for certain species.
A new study suggests that climate change, particularly drought, plays a key role in shaping plant communities. The research found that grasslands thrive in dry conditions, while trees and shrubs prefer wetter environments. This challenges the long-held assumption that CO2 levels are the primary driver of vegetation changes.
Research suggests climate shifts, such as droughts and temperature changes, may be more important than carbon dioxide levels in determining plant community composition. The study analyzed sediment cores from Mexico and Guatemala, finding that trends in C3 versus C4 plants were correlated with shifts in rainfall rather than carbon dioxide.
A new study found that wood smoke is toxic to certain aquatic organisms in the Great Lakes region. The researchers collected particulate matter samples from different areas along the shores of southern Lake Michigan and found concentrations as low as 10-15 milligrams per liter killed 50% of water fleas within a 24-hour exposure.
Researchers found that low-energy radio waves can kill zebra mussels by depleting calcium levels in the water, which are essential for their survival. This method is considered an eco-friendly alternative to traditional chemical treatments or molluscicides, and may be effective in preventing pipe clogging.
Researchers use reflectance spectroscopy to determine the meteorite's composition, providing clues about early solar chemical evolution and differing from any seen in meteorites so far. The findings were published by NASA's Johnson Space Center and Brown University, funded by grants from NASA.
A team of researchers analyzed a rare, well-preserved meteorite found in Canada, revealing organic compounds with similarities to other known carbonaceous chondrites. The study suggests that the Tagish Lake Meteorite may represent an early stage in the evolution of complex carbon compounds in space.
Researchers analyzed lake sediment samples to find two naturally occurring warm periods in Alaska spanning 2,000 years. The initial period occurred from A.D. 0-300 and was accompanied by drier conditions; the second period corresponded to the Medieval Climatic Anomaly, a global warming event.
A study by Penn State researchers found that quaking aspen groves have declined by 30% in the last 50 years due to environmental changes such as fire suppression, livestock grazing, and increased herbivore populations. The unique history of the Lake Tahoe Basin also plays a role in this decline.
Australian researchers use giant rain gauges in crater lakes to study past climate change, finding a climate shift in the 1800s triggered lake level decline. Modern rainfall is only 80% of evaporation, requiring 95% rainfall to maintain pre-European levels.
A new study on Lake Titicaca reveals dramatic changes in the lake's water level and precipitation patterns over the past 25,000 years. The research suggests that natural climate variability, including changes in Earth's orbit around the sun, may be influencing global climate change.
A study by Alaskan and Canadian researchers found that climate change and commercial fishing negatively affect sockeye salmon runs in Alaska. The research used nitrogen isotope analysis to track salmon populations over 300 years, revealing a link between climate shifts and changes in salmon abundance.
A five-year study will investigate how physical, biological and human interactions shape the ecosystems of Lake Ontario's freshwater bays and lagoons. The research team, led by Mark B. Bain, will examine internal ecosystem processes and integrate data to determine conditions for self-organization of ecosystems.
A recent study found consistent evidence of later freeze and earlier breakup of ice on northern waterways over a 150-year span, corresponding to a 1.8 degrees Centigrade increase in air temperature. The trend suggests climate change, but other drivers like solar activity may also be involved.
Scientists have assembled a 150-year lake and river ice record spanning the Northern Hemisphere, showing a steady warming trend. The average rate of change over the 150-year period was 8.7 days later for freeze dates and 9.8 days earlier for breakup dates.
A Wisconsin lake study has found that acid rain effects can last for decades, with the chemistry of the lake correcting itself naturally within two years. However, the biological changes took much longer to recover, with some species thriving while others were decimated.
A new study by researchers at Dartmouth College found that fertilized lakes in Ontario, Canada, exhibit unpredictable algal composition and abundance fluctuations from year to year. This unpredictability makes it challenging for lake managers to make accurate predictions for planning management and research efforts.
Researchers at Cornell University found that larger lakes have longer food chains than smaller ones, contrary to previous assumptions about energy availability. The study suggests that the size of an ecosystem, not energy levels, constrains food-chain length.
The introduction of non-native smallmouth and rock bass into Canadian lakes has profound effects on native fish populations, particularly lake trout. The study uses stable isotope techniques to quantify the food-web consequences of recent invasions, revealing a dramatic impact on ecosystem functioning.
Biologists at Cornell University and Max Planck Institute found that Daphnia crustaceans can evolve quickly to cope with polluted water. The study showed that these tiny crustaceans adapted to handle less nutritious food, becoming a natural control for toxic cyanobacteria in Lake Constance.
The catastrophic draining of two gigantic glacial lakes in Canada's Hudson Bay region led to the most abrupt, widespread cold spell on Earth during the last 10,000 years. Temperatures dropped by as much as 15 degrees Fahrenheit in central Greenland and by nearly 6 degrees F in Western Europe.