Inland waterbodies in China
Researchers reestimated China's inland waterbodies using satellite images from 1984-2015, finding a 0.2-1.5 times increase in surface area and 0.3-1.5 times higher numbers of larger waterbodies than previous estimates.
Lakes
Articles tagged with Lakes
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Smarter strategies
Researchers at UC Santa Barbara have developed integrated pest management strategies to combat aquatic invasive species, such as quagga and zebra mussels, in California's waterways. The studies focus on using biological control methods, like sunfish, to target early life stages of these pests, reducing harm to people and the environment.
Drone images show Greenland ice sheet becoming more unstable as it fractures
Researchers use drones to observe fracture formation on Greenland Ice Sheet, finding that meltwater causes formation of new fractures and expansion of dormant ones. The study shows how these chain reactions can trigger catastrophic lake drainages, with significant effects on the ice sheet's instability.
Rapid lake drainage on Greenland Ice Sheet
Researchers report rapid draining of a lake on the Greenland Ice Sheet, altering ice dynamics. Partial drainage events deliver large volumes of water to the bed in under 5 hours.
Reservoir management could help prevent toxic algal blooms in Great Lakes
Researchers found reservoirs on streams and rivers release dissolved phosphorus into water when warm lake water is ideal for algae growth. This leads to toxic algal blooms causing illness and contaminating water supplies. Strategies like adding oxygen or chemicals to reservoirs could help prevent this problem.
Scientists use modern technology to understand how ochre paint was created in pictographs
Researchers used modern technology to understand how ochre paint was created by hunter-gatherers in North America, revealing a temperature range of 750-850°C. The study, published in Scientific Reports, shows that individuals deliberately heated an aquatic bacteria to initiate color transformation.
Evidence of two quakes extends rupture history in Grand Tetons National Park
New findings published in the Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America extend the history of Teton Fault earthquakes, suggesting multi-section ruptures may have occurred. The study, which analyzed trenches around Leigh Lake, estimates a 10,000-year-old earthquake with a magnitude of 6.6 to 7.2.
Climate change could double greenhouse gas emissions from freshwater lakes
Research reveals an invisible world of organic molecules in freshwater ecosystems that contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. Climate change could increase the diversity of these molecules by 1.5-2.7 times, leading to higher emissions.
Chemical and microbial diversity in boreal lakes
A study found that boreal lakes exhibit enhanced chemical and microbial diversity in response to rising organic matter levels, leading to increased decomposition of carbon dioxide and methane. This correlation has significant implications for the global carbon cycle and potential greenhouse gas emissions.
Study of Wisconsin walleye finds recreational fishing contributes to stock declines
A study found that recreational fishing in Wisconsin's walleye lakes contributes to declining fish stocks, with overharvesting reaching 40% in some areas. The research suggests that fisheries managers should consider production rates instead of abundance alone to set more effective regulations.
The global distribution of freshwater plants is controlled by catchment characteristics
Freshwater plants in lakes with high bicarbonate concentrations have higher photosynthesis yields, altering species richness and composition. This shift is expected to change underwater meadow structure and predator protection for small animals and juvenile fish.
Global climate change concerns for Africa's Lake Victoria
Researchers warn that Africa's Lake Victoria could dry up in the next 500 years due to climate change, posing a significant threat to 40 million people. The lake's water levels are projected to decline rapidly if temperature changes and precipitation patterns shift
Winners of the 2019 AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Awards
The 2019 AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Awards honored reporters from around the world for their coverage of topics such as killer whales, air quality, and nuclear research facilities. Reporters from The Seattle Times won multiple awards for their in-depth series on Puget Sound's dying orcas.
New exploration method for geothermal energy
A new method for locating potential drilling sites covered by water has been presented by an international research team, combining bathymetry measurements with geochemical profiles. This approach allows the distinction between permeable and non-permeable structures, enabling more precise location of promising locations for drilling.
Reassessing strategies to reduce phosphorus levels in the Detroit river watershed
The current US reduction strategy for the Detroit River doesn't address Lake Huron, a major source of phosphorus. The new study suggests that reducing phosphorus loads from the remainder of the watershed by 72% is unrealistic without adjustments to the strategy.
Mercury in fish from Lake Michigan
A study found declining mercury concentrations in lake trout from Lake Michigan, likely due to domestic emissions reductions. However, changes in fish diets and growth rates due to zebra mussel invasions slowed these declines.
Invasive species short-circuiting benefits from mercury reduction in the Great Lakes
A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that reduced mercury use in the Great Lakes region has not led to a decline in mercury accumulation in large game fish. Instead, aquatic invasive species such as quagga and zebra mussels are forcing fish to seek atypical food sources enriched in mercury.
Four decades of data sounds early warning on Lake George
A 40-year study of Lake George's deep waters reveals significant increases in salt and nutrients, but at concentrations still too low to cause harm. The findings serve as an early warning for potential impacts on streams, wetlands, and shallow waters, suggesting a shift in research focus.
Fishery in Lake Shinji, Japan, collapsed 1 year after neonicotinoid use
A study by Masumi Yamamuro and colleagues found that neonicotinoid pesticide use led to a 83% decrease in average springtime zooplankton biomass, causing the collapse of two commercial fisheries on Lake Shinji. The impact was felt throughout the aquatic food chain, with smelt harvests plummeting from 240 tons to 22 tons in just one year.
Where to install renewable energy in US to achieve greatest benefits
A new Harvard study identifies the Upper Midwest as ideal for wind turbines and the Great Lakes/Mid-Atlantic region for solar power to achieve maximum benefits. The research, funded by Harvard University's Climate Change Solutions Fund, provides a guide for policymakers, businesses, and utilities on where to deploy renewable energy.
Human activities boosted global soil erosion already 4,000 years ago
Researchers found increased soil erosion 4,000 years ago coinciding with deforestation and land-use changes. Human practices accelerated global sediment accumulation, affecting ecosystems and climate.
Human influences on global soil erosion
A study analyzing pollen samples and radiocarbon dates found that human land use changes drove global soil erosion rates, starting around 4,000 years ago. In 70% of studied watersheds, land cover change was the main driver of soil erosion.
Lead pollution from Native Americans attributed to crushing galena for glitter paint
Researchers discovered significant lead pollution at Kincaid Mounds site due to galena processing and use by Native Americans. Sediment core samples revealed higher lead levels during the pre-Columbian period, tracing back to galena deposits in Missouri and the Upper Mississippi Valley.
Big data, artificial intelligence to support research on harmful blue-green algae
A team of scientists will develop high-tech tools to explore cyanobacteria in lakes across the East Coast. The project combines big data, artificial intelligence, and robotics with new techniques for lake sampling to understand where and how cyanobacterial blooms develop.
Mars once had salt lakes similar to Earth
A team of scientists, including Texas A&M University researcher Marion Nachon, found that Mars' Gale Crater lake underwent drying episodes, potentially linked to the planet's global drying. The study reveals signs of liquid water and salt ponds similar to those on Earth, particularly in South America's Altiplano region.
Lakes worldwide are experiencing more severe algal blooms
A global survey of large freshwater lakes found that summer algal blooms are increasing in intensity, harming aquatic life and human activities like agriculture and tourism. Climate change is likely exacerbating the problem, with warmer temperatures hindering recovery efforts in some areas.
A unique study sheds light on the ecology of the glacial relict amphipod Gammaracanthus lacustris
A unique study on Gammaracanthus lacustris reveals the amphipod's life cycle and trophic position in deep lakes. The species is a carnivore, feeding on zooplankton and other crustaceans, but its high trophic position makes it a valuable prey for many fish and seals.
Disappearing Peruvian glaciers
A team of researchers found that Peruvian glaciers have retreated by 30% since 2000, with the rate of retreat accelerating since 2013. The increased melting is linked to El Niño events and has significant implications for water supply, agriculture, and natural hazards.
Early hunter-gatherers interacted much sooner than previously believed
A recent study reveals that early hunter-gatherers on opposite sides of North America interacted much sooner than previously believed. Analysis of human remains, stone tools, and a copper band found in an ancient burial pit in Georgia suggests direct trade networks between the Great Lakes region and the coastal southeast United States....
Great Lakes Sea grant programs awarded $1 million for aquaculture collaborative
A new collaborative project aims to address the Great Lakes' seafood trade deficit by promoting sustainable aquaculture. The project, funded by $1 million, will focus on environmentally responsible and science-based initiatives.
Otherworldly worms with three sexes discovered in Mono Lake
Researchers at Caltech have discovered a new species of worm, Auanema sp., in Mono Lake, which can survive 500 times the lethal human dose of arsenic. The eight discovered species are diverse and resilient to arsenic-laden conditions, suggesting nematodes may have genetic predispositions for adaptability.
Thousands of meltwater lakes mapped on the east Antarctic ice sheet
A study has mapped over 65,000 supraglacial lakes on the East Antarctic Ice Sheet, revealing a more extensive presence than previously thought. The findings suggest that East Antarctica may be more susceptible to the effects of a warming climate.
Ecologists find strong evidence of fishing down the food web in freshwater lake
Researchers found a significant decline in top predatory fish populations in Lake Simcoe from the mid-1800s to the early 1900s due to commercial fishing. However, once recreational fishing increased, the number of top predators began to recover, suggesting resilience in the system.
Fish trophic levels in freshwater lake
A study of 148 years of fishing records in Lake Simcoe found that commercial fishing led to depletion of high-trophic-level fish, while recreational fishing helped recover trophic levels. Fish stocking and invasive species also impacted the lake's ecosystem.
'Fire inversions' lock smoke in valleys
Researchers have discovered a feedback loop that reinforces atmospheric inversions, locking smoke in valleys and worsening air quality. Understanding this loop enables scientists to predict when fire inversions are likely to occur, aiding firefighters and residents.
Nitrogen explosions created craters on Saturn moon Titan
On Saturn's moon Titan, nitrogen explosions create craters that fill with liquid methane, forming distinctive lakes. The research suggests a pressurized explosion model as the best explanation for these geological features.
Warm on top, cold below: Unexpected greenhouse gas effect in lakes
A study by the University of Basel found that global warming can cause lakes to cool at the bottom despite warming at the surface, leading to increased carbon burial and reduced greenhouse gas production. The research suggests that this effect is most pronounced in small and shallow lakes worldwide.
Building water-efficient cities
A study led by the University of Arizona found that city design factors such as housing density, lot size, and vegetated land cover significantly impact residential water use. Researchers estimated models for annual and summer water use in four cities, including Austin, Phoenix, Portland, and Salt Lake City.
Oldest lake in Europe reveals more than one million years of climate history
The Lake Ohrid drilling project has provided a unique window into the region's climate history, revealing significant increases in winter precipitation and shedding light on the causes of rain phases. The findings offer valuable data for assessing the effects of climate change and comparing with models.
Could recreating freshwater lakes help trial plastic alternatives?
Researchers at Staffordshire University are using artificial aquatic ecosystems called limnotrons to test plastic degradation and develop a standardized method for identifying the age of plastics. The study will help identify effective mitigation and management strategies for reducing plastic pollution in freshwater systems.
How changes in land use could reduce the browning of lakes
A new study suggests that returning to more deciduous trees near lakes and protecting waterlogged areas can help reduce the browning of lakes. This approach is aligned with industry visions for sustainable forestry management near water.
A 3.8-million-year-old fossil from Ethiopia reveals the face of Lucy's ancestor
Researchers uncover remarkably complete cranium of Australopithecus anamensis, a 3.8-million-year-old early human ancestor. The discovery contradicts long-held notions of human evolution, revealing that Lucy's species and its ancestor coexisted for at least 100,000 years.
A face for Lucy's ancestor
Researchers discovered a remarkably complete 3.8-million-year-old cranium of Australopithecus anamensis in Ethiopia, revealing new insights into human evolution. The fossil finds contradict the long-held notion of a linear transition between A. anamensis and its descendant species A. afarensis.
Detecting hydrothermal vents in volcanic lakes
Researchers use integrated exploration tools to detect multiple hydrothermal feed zones in Lake Ngozi, Tanzania, by combining bathymetry, thermal mapping and gas emission measurements. The approach provides spatial information on the location of hydrothermal vents, their abundance and current state of activity.
Environmental DNA proves the expansion of invasive crayfish habitats
Researchers used eDNA to survey Japanese and signal crayfish habitats around Lake Akan, finding signal crayfish are widely distributed, potentially threatening native species. eDNA analysis identified presence or absence of aquatic organisms more reliably than conventional methods.
To make lakes healthy, you first need the right recipe
Researchers from NIOO-KNAW suggest a different approach to lake restoration by identifying four types of lakes based on spatial differences. Flushing with clean water may not be effective in all lake types, while reducing nutrient supply is key to permanent recovery.
Biomolecular analyses of Roopkund skeletons show Mediterranean migrants in Indian Himalaya
Ancient DNA data from Roopkund Lake reveals diverse groups of people died at the lake in multiple events around 1000 years apart. The study, published in Nature Communications, found three distinct genetic groups among the skeletons, with ancestries related to present-day India, the eastern Mediterranean, and Southeast Asia.
Rapid evolution: New findings on its molecular mechanisms
Researchers found a link between microRNA regulation and the rapid evolution of new species in Nicaraguan crater lakes. They analyzed five species of Midas cichlids and identified specific pairs of microRNAs and genes that interact with each other.
Asian carp capable of surviving in much larger areas of Lake Michigan than previously thought
A new study by University of Michigan researchers reveals that Asian carp can survive and grow in larger portions of Lake Michigan than previously believed. The findings suggest that the fish can thrive in various diets, including detritus, and have suitable habitat volumes throughout the water column.
Chicago water pollution may be keeping invasive silver carp out of Great Lakes, study says
A new study by University of Illinois researchers suggests that Chicago's water pollution is likely keeping invasive silver carp out of the Great Lakes. The study found that certain compounds in the water flowing downstream from Chicago induce avoidance behaviors in fish, causing them to stop moving upstream.
Calcium levels in freshwater lakes declining in Europe and North America
A global study reveals calcium concentrations are critically low in many freshwater lakes, posing a threat to reproduction and survival of aquatic organisms. The decline is attributed to reduced sulphate deposition associated with acid rain, which has led to less calcium leaching from surrounding terrestrial areas.
Maya more warlike than previously thought
Researchers found extensive burning at Witzna and its surroundings dating back to the classic period, indicating scorched-earth military campaigns even during periods of prosperity. This challenges the idea that warfare was a late development in Maya civilization's decline.
Conservation or construction? Deciding waterbird hotspots
Researchers at Michigan State University studied four different hotspot analysis methods for Great Lakes waterbirds, finding that no single method produced consistent results. A combination of data-driven approaches may be the best way to inform conservation management decisions.
Paleontology -- new light on cichlid evolution in Africa
Researchers have discovered a new fossil cichlid species, Oreochromimos, from Central Kenya dating back 12.5 million years, providing insights into the evolutionary history of East African Cichlids and their radiation in the Great Lakes region.
Oldest completely preserved lily discovered
The oldest completely preserved lily, Cratolirion bognerianum, was found in Brazil with a 40cm length and well-preserved roots, flower, and individual cells. The discovery provides new insights into the diversity of tropical flowering plants 115 million years ago.
Fish die-offs linked to hotter summers
A study found that fish die-offs in Wisconsin lakes are strongly linked to heat waves and warmer surface water temperatures. By mid-century, fish kills are expected to double, and by 2100, they will quadruple.
SMU's 'Titans in a jar' could answer key questions ahead of NASA's space exploration
SMU's 'Titans in a jar' project aims to recreate Titan's conditions in laboratory cylinders, helping assess the possibility of life on the moon. Researchers will study chemical structures and organic minerals to understand Titan's potential for past or present life.
New study solves mystery of salt buildup on bottom of Dead Sea
A new study explains why salt crystals are piling up on the Dead Sea's floor by proposing a 'salt fingering' process where tiny disturbances create channels for salt to flow down. This finding helps understand the formation of massive salt deposits found in Earth's crust, including those beneath the Mediterranean Sea.
The water future of Earth's 'third pole'
The 'Third Pole' region in Asia contains one-seventh of the world's freshwater, but rapid climate changes are affecting glacier melt and snowmelt. NASA's High Mountain Asia Team is conducting a comprehensive survey to understand these changes and their implications for food and water security.
Researchers discover more than 50 lakes beneath the Greenland Ice Sheet
Scientists have discovered 56 new subglacial lakes in Greenland, expanding our knowledge of lake distribution and behavior under the ice sheet. The newly identified lakes are relatively stable but may become active as climate change causes surface meltwater to form lakes and streams.