Articles tagged with Lakes
Recent record-high water levels have caused significant impacts on Great Lakes state parks, including shoreline erosion and flooding. The study found that 50% of the surveyed parks were affected, with total damage costs ranging from $50,000 to extensive repairs.
Researchers discovered that 85.8% of lake water samples were supersaturated with nitrogen gas, suggesting a lack of balance between nitrogen inputs and fixation. The findings highlight the need for terrestrial nitrogen sources to mitigate nitrogen loss in the lakes.
Researchers from Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute analyzed sediment cores and historical records to study the long-term effects of damming on Lake Gatun's ecosystem. The findings highlight the importance of natural river processes in maintaining biodiversity in tropical ecosystems.
A team of researchers has discovered a new family of extinct marsupials, Mukupirnidae, including the giant wombat-like creature Mukupirna nambensis. The species is estimated to be around 25 million years old and was likely a gentle giant that subsisted on plants.
Researchers tracked beaver activity in two regions of Alaska and found that they created 56 new lakes in just five years, with the number doubling every four years. This can accelerate permafrost thawing, releasing greenhouse gases and intensifying climate change.
Three species of pink flamingos evolved to live in shallow lakes and breed during seasonal blooms of algae and zooplankton before the inland lakes dried up due to climate change.
A new analysis reveals that satellite-based detection of harmful algal blooms can provide early warning systems for lake visitors, resulting in significant socioeconomic benefits. The study found that local officials' swift action to respond to toxic cyanobacteria in Utah Lake saved $370,000 in healthcare costs and prevented illness.
Scientists at University of Wisconsin-Madison found that a constantly changing environment enables some species to invade new areas and adapt to their new homes by maintaining genetic diversity. The researchers studied the copepod Eurytemora affinis, which invaded the Great Lakes and other freshwater lakes.
A new model developed by Duke University engineers can accurately recreate the dynamics of historic and current landslides, pointing to the temperature of a thin layer of clay as critical to its potential for sudden cataclysmic failure. The approach is being used to monitor an evolving landslide in Andorra.
A study published in Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry has identified coal-tar-sealant as the primary source of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Great Lakes tributaries. The research highlights the need for further analysis to determine the potential effects of PAHs on aquatic life in these areas.
Post-tropical cyclone Cristobal is soaking the Great Lakes, triggering watches and warnings for heavy rain, gusty winds, and tornadoes. Rainfall rates reached 1 inch per hour in some areas, with minor to moderate river flooding expected.
Researchers simulate Holocene effective moisture change in East and Central Asia using a virtual lake system. The study reveals that changes in precipitation and evaporation patterns drove climate change in the region, with decreased effective moisture in the Tibetan Plateau primarily attributed to decreased summer solar radiation.
Researchers at Virginia Tech propose that high-energy cosmic rays, rather than neutrinos, are responsible for the mysterious signals detected by the ANITA experiment. The team suggests that sub-surface firn, a dense layer of compacted snow, is causing the reflections.
Tropical Depression Cristobal is generating large amounts of rainfall while heading towards the Great Lakes region. Forecasters expect Cristobal to produce storm total rainfall accumulations of 2-4 inches with local amounts up to 6 inches, potentially leading to flash flooding.
A new study using crowd-sourced GPS data reveals signs of a rising mantle plume beneath the Eifel region in western Germany. The research suggests that this ancient volcanic system may still be active, posing an increased risk of seismic activity and volcanic eruptions.
Researchers discovered that a brief ozone layer collapse led to the extinction of plant and freshwater aquatic life 360 million years ago. This finding has profound implications for our warming world today, as Earth's temperatures may reach comparable levels, potentially triggering a similar event.
Researchers have quantified over a century of changes in Cook County, finding 80% wetland loss and species extinctions. The study aims to inform restoring aquatic ecosystems' health.
A new study reveals that minority students and charter schools experience higher concentrations of PM 2.5 levels even on clean air days, highlighting the need for policies to protect school-aged children from environmental harm. The research used a community-university partnership to analyze data from 174 public schools in Salt Lake Co...
A study reveals that cyanobacteria and tardigrades are widely distributed in freshwater lakes in Antarctica, with specific eukaryotic algae dominating certain sites. This research contributes to understanding adaptation mechanisms of microorganisms to extreme physical stresses in Antarctica.
Satellite data and airborne measurements show that methane emissions from lakes in the Arctic have been overestimated, with most emissions coming from smaller thermokarst lakes in organic-rich sediments. The study also found that low-emitting large lakes play a crucial role in regional flux estimates.
A University of Alaska Fairbanks-led research team developed a method using satellite images and synthetic aperture radar to determine methane release from northern lakes. The technique found correlations between frozen lake conditions and methane production.
Researchers report a Triassic-era fossil that may be an ancestor of modern salamanders, extending the fossil record by 60-74 million years. The discovery provides insight into the evolution of salamander-like body plans and suggests Eurasia as the point of origin for salamanders.
A new prediction tool developed by University of Nevada, Reno researchers can help manage forests in the Sierra Nevada mountains. The tool, designed to focus on water quantity, predicts how different approaches to thinning impact snowpack accumulation in Lake Tahoe.
Researchers propose that catastrophic outburst floods, triggered by warm periods, carved Greenland's megacanyon over time. The floods are believed to have occurred hundreds of times, carving the Grand Canyon and influencing ocean circulation and present-day ice-sheet stability.
A team of scientists proposes that catastrophic outburst floods carved Greenland's megacanyon network, influenced by large meltwater-filled lakes. The study suggests that these floods could have impacted ocean circulation and caused abrupt climate changes with regional significance.
A recent study published in Water Research found that superoxide initiates the production of hydroxyl radicals, which then break down poorly biodegradable organic matter. This reaction is a natural process that can remove persistent natural and anthropogenic organic matter from lakes.
A recent study found that whole-lake experiments can reveal the causes of hyperstability in recreational fisheries. Habitat aggregation and effort sorting are identified as drivers of hyperstability collapse. Limiting angler effort through policy changes is proposed to protect vulnerable fish stocks.
Researchers found that genomic changes occurred quickly, with river variants increasing in frequency by 2.5% over a single generation. This study demonstrates rapid evolution in non-microorganisms, potentially aiding organisms to cope with human-induced environmental changes.
Researchers at RIT have developed the first three-dimensional model to show where microplastic pollution is collecting in Lake Erie. The study found that plastic particles accumulate more heavily on the eastern shore of the lake, with different types of plastics concentrated in different areas.
Researchers have developed a low-cost methodology for creating high-resolution three-dimensional models of lake bottoms, combining data from an echo sounder and LiDAR detection data collected from an airplane. The technique has been successfully implemented in the Truchillas Lake in Spain, providing insights into the origin of the lake...
Research suggests settlers arrived in East Polynesia around 200 years before previous estimates, coinciding with a dry period driven by climate change. Human settlement of the region helped answer key questions about why people made hazardous journeys east.
A 900 AD human dispersal event occurred in eastern Polynesia, preceding colonization of the southern Cook Islands. Regional drought may have driven an incremental expansion into the region.
A study of Middle Triassic lacustrine sediments found that both lake and peat-forming forest ecosystems took up to 10 million years to recover after the EPME. The restoration of complex lacustrine ecosystems coincided with the termination of the coal gap, a period of no coals deposited worldwide.
Glaciers in the Caucasus region are losing mass at a rate twice as fast as the average global mountain regions, with some areas decreasing by over 16% since 1986. The melting of glaciers poses significant risks to water supply and natural disasters such as rockfalls and mud flows.
A new study reveals that warmer winters and shorter ice-free periods in northern lakes significantly increase methane emissions. In Finland, this could lead to a 26-59% increase in methane emissions by the end of the century.
New study finds that populations of native fish species on both sides of Niagara Falls are genetically distinct, indicating no significant interbreeding or migration past the falls. This suggests that the falls and Welland Canal serve as effective barriers to prevent invasive aquatic species from entering the Great Lakes.
A University of Utah Health study found that poor communications in 22 Utah communities hinder efforts to connect those in need with food resources. The researchers identified four clusters of communities: Food Secure, Food Insecure, Information Deserts, and Information Uncertain.
Scientists have developed a global system to predict future warming of lakes, which could threaten cold-water species like salmon and trout. By 2100, average lake temperature is expected to rise by 4 degrees Celsius under extreme climate change scenarios.
Researchers discover cosmic impact evidence at Abu Hureyra archaeological site in northern Syria, dating back to the earliest human settlement. The impact is believed to have caused destruction and burning of the settlement nearly 12,800 years ago.
Researchers found a significant knowledge gap in how lakes respond to extreme storms, with inconsistent findings across studies. The team calls for a collaborative effort to develop a research framework to better predict phytoplankton responses to storm-induced changes.
The Whillans Subglacial Lake, located in West Antarctica, contains a pool of dissolved organic carbon that can be produced in 4.8 to 11.9 years. This nutrient-rich environment provides essential energy and sources for life in the ice-covered regions of the Southern Ocean.
A new study by the National Institute for Environmental Studies in Japan found that biotic and abiotic factors affecting radionuclide accumulation in fish are dependent on the ecosystem and differ between lakes and rivers. The study analyzed 30 species of fish from five rivers and three lakes in Fukushima, revealing significant differe...
A team of researchers has solved the mystery surrounding dinosaur footprints on a cave ceiling in Central Queensland, finding evidence of two plant-eating dinosaurs walking bipedally. The discovery was made possible by accessing previously unknown research material and high-resolution photographs stored by a local dentist's family.
Researchers validate TRAX air quality sensor data, showcasing its ability to capture air pollution events, including summer fireworks and winter inversions. The expanded dataset provides insights into air mass exchange between the Salt Lake and Utah counties.
A new wearable sensor and AI technology combo can predict worsening heart failure in patients up to 80% of the time, allowing for early intervention and potential prevention of rehospitalizations. The system has shown promising results in detecting changes in heart rate, rhythm, and other normal activities before a hospitalization occurs.
Researchers propose that massive Arctic sea ice melting disrupted North Atlantic currents, causing abrupt climate change after the last Ice Age. Thick sea ice was found in early 19th-century expeditions and numerical models show it could have slowed ocean circulation and cooled climate.
A study found that a high diversity of fish in the Rupununi region of Guyana indicates healthy forest ecosystems. Protecting this area can help preserve rivers and biodiversity across the Amazon.
Researchers discovered that the dinosaur footprints on a cave ceiling were made by two plant-eating dinosaurs that walked bipedally along an ancient lake shore. The discovery was made possible by access to high-resolution photographs and detailed notebooks of the tracks, which had been stored in a Sydney cupboard under the stairs.
The study reveals that even modest climate warming scenarios can lead to a significant loss of groundwater in the continental US, with the eastern region being more sensitive. As shallow groundwater storage is depleted, it can no longer buffer plant water stress, leading to dramatic changes in vegetation and surface waters.
A new study by the USDA Forest Service-led Pacific Northwest Research Station found that Alaska's Tongass and Chugach National Forests produce an average of 48 million salmon annually, worth approximately $88 million. The forest rivers and lakes support the salmon population through various life stages.
Recent studies have reported dramatic declines in mayfly emergence over major North American waterways, with up to 87.9 billion mayflies observed emerging annually. Deteriorating water quality, including warming water and nutrient-rich runoff, is believed to be the primary cause of these declines.
Researchers used ancient Daphnia samples and modern-day organisms to understand how they cope with eutrophication events. They identified clusters of genes adapted to high phosphorus levels, shedding light on evolutionary responses to environmental change.
A study published in Scientific Reports found that microbes from humic lakes can transform polyethylene into beneficial fatty acids, including omega-3 and omega-6. This discovery suggests that microplastic degradation may be more pronounced in certain environments than previously thought.
A new study finds that certain lakes with high concentrations of phosphate could have supplied the key ingredient for life to emerge on early Earth. The discovery solves a long-standing problem in origin-of-life research and suggests that lakes with carbonate-rich waters may have played a crucial role in creating life.
Researchers estimate that glacier lake outburst floods (GLOF) could reach peak discharges of up to 15,600 cubic meters per second, posing a major threat to rivers and communities in the region. The study highlights the importance of monitoring lake levels and historic outbursts in determining GLOF hazard.
Researchers propose that phosphate-rich lakes can support life due to concentrated phosphates. Carbonate-rich lake environments provide the necessary conditions for biomolecule formation, overcoming a major obstacle to life's origin.
A new study from Brigham Young University found that 90% of urban dust in Utah comes from dry lakebeds, posing a significant threat to air quality and human health. The research suggests that preserving lakes could help lower the amount of dust blown into urban areas.
A new study by the Ausable River Association and Adirondack Watershed Institute reveals that road salt runoff into Mirror Lake prevents natural water turnover, posing a risk to its ecology. The researchers found that high levels of surface-water chloride have created anoxic conditions, limiting habitat availability for native lake trout.
A new study found that megadroughts in the Andes led to widespread deforestation and maize farming in the Laguna de los Cóndores region. However, as climate conditions normalized, forests reclaimed the area, and sediment samples showed an improvement in water quality.
The study of two Siberian blue lakes reveals a similarity in zooplankton species composition to other Western Siberian lakes, with species such as cladocerans and copepods dominating. The concentration of heavy metals exceeds sanitary standards, but is characteristic of the region's aquatic ecosystems.