Articles tagged with Marine Photosynthesis
A University of Rhode Island professor's study has developed a macromolecular model of phytoplankton, which could have significant implications for climate research. The model predicts the variation in C:N:P ratios throughout the ocean, providing new insights into how phytoplankton respond to changing environmental conditions.
New study reveals marine algae adapt to nutrient-poor ocean conditions, sustaining productivity even in depleted waters. This 'metabolic hack' could impact global ocean productivity and carbon sequestration.
Researchers studied the photosynthetic antenna of Codium fragile, a marine algae, to understand how it efficiently utilizes weak blue-green light. The study revealed that siphonaxanthin and chlorophyll b play key roles in absorbing green and blue-green light, respectively.
Researchers found that Kellet's whelk larvae are susceptible to developmental abnormalities and mortality at high temperatures, with half of hatchlings dying off at 27.6°C and veligers more resistant to defects at 24.9°C
Researchers identified carbon-dioxide-fixing cells from seawater and used Raman-spectroscopy to determine that they engage in photosynthesis. The study reveals that uncultured Pelagibacter spp., one of the most abundant SAR11 marine bacteria, can use light-powered metabolism for CO2 fixation in seawater.
The Arctic Ocean's pH is decreasing at a rate 3–4 times faster than in other oceans, with acidification impacting marine life. Sea butterflies, a key food source for whales, may face reduced availability due to increased carbon dioxide uptake.
Researchers found that ocean bacteria absorbing carbon dioxide from the air need more energy and resources when infected with viruses and facing predator attacks. This complex interaction can lead to increased carbon sequestration, a key factor in mitigating climate change.
A recent study published in Geophysical Research Letters reveals that the Tonga volcano eruption stimulated a rapid and massive bloom of ocean phytoplankton, covering an area nearly 40 times the size of Oahu within just 48 hours. The bloom was triggered by the deposition of volcanic ash, which supplied nutrients for phytoplankton growth.
Brown algae's unique pigments have evolved through a complex genetic pathway, enabling them to harness more light energy than green plants. This discovery could lead to insights into fucoxanthin's health applications and improved photosynthetic efficiency for biofuels production.
A new study published in Earth Science Frontiers reveals that lacustrine shale oil reserves in China have significant potential to shape energy security and geopolitics. The research identifies optimal conditions for shale oil accumulation, including high organic content and thermal maturity, as well as characteristics of these deposits.
Scientists have developed a new model incorporating the day/night cycle into a global ocean biogeochemistry model to investigate its effects on phytoplankton. The study found that diel light cycles significantly impact phytoplankton competition, particularly at lower latitudes.
A recent study led by Nagoya University found that human-made iron in the Southern Ocean may be up to ten times higher than previously thought, with a 60% contribution from fossil fuel combustion. This could lead to decreased photosynthesis and increased CO2 levels, exacerbating global warming.
Researchers study the sea-surface microlayer, a biogeochemical reactor where organisms adapt to harsh conditions like UV radiation and fluctuating temperatures. The team aims to understand biological, chemical, and physical interactions in this thin layer, influencing global climate.
A new study by University of California, Riverside researchers has found that coral-algal symbiosis can initiate without photosynthesis. This breakthrough could help corals survive climate change and ultimately save coral reefs.
A new study finds that flame-retardants and plasticizers are present in the oceans, harming marine organisms and potentially affecting human health. The substances, which are widely used in everyday products, can be transported from inland sources to coastal environments through air masses and ocean currents.
Scientists have identified a single-celled marine microbe that can photosynthesize, hunt, and eat prey, making it a secret weapon in the battle against climate change. This microbe can sequester carbon by releasing a heavy exopolymer that sinks to the ocean floor.
Scientists have discovered that the onset of microbial fertilizer factories on the Earth's seafloor roughly 2.6 billion years ago was a crucial step in the rise of oxygen levels during the Great Oxidation Event. This recycling process fueled photosynthetic bacteria, which increased oxygen production and paved the way for complex life t...
Researchers at TUM have successfully produced succinic acid using the marine bacterium Vibrio natriegens, which has rapid growth and substrate uptake rates. The team is now working to optimize the process for industrial-scale production using renewable raw materials.
A team of researchers found that many marine phytoplankton are voracious predators, consuming bacteria like Prochlorococcus and other primary production. This discovery reveals the complexity of ocean ecosystems and challenges traditional views of phytoplankton as solely photosynthetic organisms.
Scientists have characterized thousands of small molecules in coral reef ecosystems, providing insights into food web dynamics and chemical ecology. The study found that corals and seaweeds release diverse compounds that influence nutrient concentrations and availability in the ecosystem.
Researchers from McGill University found that oxygen levels rose with complex eukaryotic ecosystems, indicating low oxygen was a significant limitation on evolution for billions of years. The discovery has implications for searching for biosignatures in other planets, focusing on ozone detection.
Researchers have discovered that certain microorganisms, such as Nitrosopumilus maritimus, can produce oxygen in the absence of sunlight, possibly deep below the ocean surface. These microbes play a crucial role in the nitrogen cycle and remove bioavailable nitrogen from the environment.
A recent study by Dr. Henrik Svensmark and colleagues reveals a close connection between supernovae occurrence and the burial of organic matter in sediments on Earth. The correlation indicates that supernovae are essential for life's existence, with high nutrient concentrations leading to increased bioproductivity and oxygen production.
A new UC Riverside-led study reveals that tiny microbes belching toxic gas helped cause and prolong the biggest mass extinction in Earth's history. The heat accelerated microbes' metabolisms, creating a deadly cycle of hydrogen sulfide production.
Researchers used mathematical models to reconstruct evolutionary history of photosymbiosis in Scleractinia, identifying groups where association is stable and others that may be more flexible. The study found that certain lineages are more likely to retain the reef-building trait in a changing climate.
Researchers have discovered that ulvan extracted from marine algae can prevent the infection of cells with the Corona virus. The study suggests that this cheap and accessible natural material may help solve the global spread of the pandemic in developing countries without access to vaccines.
Researchers have sequenced the quillwort genome, uncovering unique genetic mechanisms regulating CAM photosynthesis in these aquatic plants. The study found differences in phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase function between quillworts and terrestrial plants.
Researchers at NTU Singapore develop a method to encase algae protein in liquid droplets, tripling artificial photosynthesis efficiency and generating more energy. The technology has the potential to make solar cells more efficient and pave the way for sustainable energy production.
A recent study published in Nature reveals that pyrogenic iron from Australian wildfires fertilized the Southern Ocean, leading to unprecedented algal blooms. This phenomenon raises concerns about the role of wildfires in spurring phytoplankton growth, which absorbs large quantities of climate-warming carbon dioxide.
Researchers from Tel Aviv and Berkeley Universities propose a model for seaweed farms to absorb nitrogen, reducing pollution in estuarine and marine environments. The study shows that these farms can produce a natural decontamination facility with significant ecological and economic value.
A new study reveals zooplankton exhibit high-frequency 'mini-migrations' due to cloud shadows, affecting their energy expenditure and carbon transport. The daily process of swimming up and down in response to subtle changes in light intensity may have significant implications for Earth's carbon cycle.
A new study by University of New South Wales scientists has shed light on the pathways of ocean circulation that supply newly ventilated surface water to the deep Pacific. The research finds that diffusive transport plays a leading role in ventilating the shadow zone, which is crucial for biological production and climate regulation.
Researchers found that protistan grazing pressures are higher at hydrothermal vent sites than surrounding deep-sea environments. Protist consumption of bacteria and archaea biomass accounts for up to 22% of fixed carbon.
Researchers analyze Plakobranchus ocellatus type black sea slug genome, finding chloroplasts retain photosynthetic capability for months. The study reveals no evidence of algal genes encoded on the sea slug genome, suggesting alternative mechanisms behind kleptoplasty.
A global study suggests that coral reefs will experience significant declines in calcium carbonate production under projected climate scenarios. The models predict that 63% of reefs will continue to grow by 2100 under RCP2.6, but 94% will be eroding by 2050 under RCP8.5.
Researchers discovered that microbes in ancient sediment below the seafloor are sustained primarily by chemicals created through the natural irradiation of water molecules. This radiation-fueled ecosystem is one of Earth's largest and has significant implications for understanding life on Mars.
New study shows ocean acidification influences carbon content of sinking particles, affecting biological pump. The results, published in Nature Climate Change, indicate highly variable responses to CO2, with bacterial and animal plankton playing a key role.
Researchers have discovered how sea slugs protect chloroplasts from damage caused by light, allowing them to continue photosynthesis. The findings provide insight into this unique animal-chloroplast relationship and its potential implications for longevity.
A new study finds that global plastic emissions may exceed reduction targets by 2030, requiring a fundamental transformation of the plastics economy. To mitigate this issue, experts suggest reducing unnecessary plastics, establishing global limits for new production, and improving waste management.
Sustainably managing the ocean could increase food production by an outsize proportion relative to land-based food, nourishing the growing human population. Researchers estimate a roughly 16% increase in wild-caught seafood by 2050 if fisheries are sustainably managed.
A team of researchers identified how a single-celled organism produces flashlights in response to mechanical forces, shedding light on the underlying physics. The study showed that the brightness depends on both the depth and rate of deformation.
A new study from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution reveals the ocean's biological carbon pump is more efficient than previously estimated, capturing twice as much carbon as thought. This discovery has significant implications for future climate assessments and policy.
A study revealed smaller-than-expected phytoplankton cells in the North Atlantic, suggesting a reduced ability to absorb carbon dioxide. This finding may impact carbon sequestration models and the planet's ecological health.
Researchers found that laminarin plays a central role in the marine carbon cycle, storing an average of 12 gigatons of carbon annually. The study also revealed that laminarin comprises 50% of organic carbon in sinking diatom-containing particles.
A recent review article reveals that marine cyanobacteria, such as Prochlorococcus and Synechococcus, can thrive on organic compounds from their environment. These findings are crucial for understanding cycles of essential elements like carbon, iron, phosphorus, and nitrogen.
Researchers found that 35% of organic particles sink to depths due to fragmentation, regulating the oceans' capacity to sequester CO2. The discovery helps explain what happens to half of the particle flux that sinks to depths, previously unknown.
The study reveals climate models may overestimate aerosol particle numbers by a factor of 4 to 7 and underestimate radiative energy scattering by a factor of 2 to 5. Sea-spray aerosol production is closely tied to sea-surface temperature and phytoplankton-related biomass.
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.
A Rutgers-led study reveals a nearly five-fold increase in carbon dioxide absorption by surface waters off the West Antarctic Peninsula during summertime. Climate change is altering the Southern Ocean's ability to absorb CO2, which could magnify warming worldwide.
A USC-led study reveals that marine microbes containing rhodopsins are more abundant than thought and can capture more light energy than chlorophylls. This shift in microbial communities may result in less carbon fixation in the ocean, potentially leading to increased CO2 levels and faster warming.
Scientists from FAU's Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute are developing novel technologies to supply warm water marine fish seedstocks, addressing the US's struggling aquaculture industry. The partnership aims to increase domestic production, reduce waste, disease risks, and feed inefficiencies.
Researchers discovered that reactive oxygen species, once thought to cause cellular damage, actually protect phytoplankton cells from overproducing a compound used for photosynthesis. This finding challenges conventional wisdom and may have implications for understanding ocean resilience to climate change.
Scientists have discovered a massive seaweed bloom stretching from West Africa to the Gulf of Mexico, dubbed the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt. The belt of brown algae is likely here to stay due to ocean currents and changing chemistry, potentially leading to ecosystem shifts.
Lab tests show plastic chemicals impair growth and function of ocean's most abundant photosynthetic bacteria, Prochlorococcus. Exposure to plastics alters gene expression, potentially harming entire ecosystem.
Scientists have introduced a new efficient synthetic route for marine antitumor agents trabectedin and lurbinectedin. The synthesis consists of 26 individual steps and uses a light-controlled activation mechanism to produce the complex drugs in sufficient quantities.
A new study published in Biogeosciences reveals that declining silicon concentrations in the European Arctic Ocean reduce diatom production, impacting the food chain and organic matter sinking to the seafloor. The research team confirms this effect in 95% of samples collected during a research expedition.
Researchers found that gas bubbles released during photosynthesis produce a 'ringing' sound, correlating with algal cover on coral reefs. This discovery may enable rapid and inexpensive estimation of algal abundance, a key indicator of stress on coral reefs.
Researchers identified a cluster of genes responsible for producing the neurotoxin domoic acid in microscopic plants. The knowledge will allow scientists to track the development of bloom toxicity at the genetic level and predict toxin production before it occurs, helping to mitigate harm from algae blooms.
A team of researchers has identified the genetic basis for the production of domoic acid, a potent neurotoxin produced by harmful algal blooms. The study's findings suggest that changes in oceanic conditions, such as phosphate limitation and increased carbon dioxide levels, can trigger toxin production.
Researchers analyzed climate change's effects on marine aquaculture production, finding it's already impacting producers today and will worsen unless proactive measures are taken. The study highlights the need for countries to prepare for climate change and develop adaptive measures to ensure sustainable seafood production worldwide.