Articles tagged with Ocean Acidification
A new study finds that popular compostable plastics like PLA don't biodegrade in marine environments, instead persisting unchanged. The research highlights the need for standardizing tests to see if materials promoted as compostable or biodegradable actually break down in natural environments.
A study found that certain pteropod species in the Southern Ocean are vulnerable to climate change due to varying life cycles. The research suggests that population stability is essential for species survival and that prolonged exposure to unfavorable conditions may jeopardize future populations.
A new study found that ocean acidification is causing Dungeness crabs to physically sniff less and have decreased ability to detect food odours. This loss of smell may be partially explaining the thinning of crab populations, as reduced food detection could impact energy availability for reproduction.
An international research team has developed a framework to evaluate government preparedness for ocean acidification, a pressing threat to marine ecosystems. The framework identifies six aspects of effective policy and specific indicators, enabling policymakers to assess their own preparedness and identify areas for improvement.
A research team led by Dr Lisa Levin assessed the potential risks of OBCIs on deep-sea ecosystems, raising substantial concern about their impacts on biodiversity and biogeochemistry. The study highlights the need for an integrated research framework to carefully consider the cost and benefits of each intervention.
A new study finds that coccolithophores, a common group of marine phytoplankton, dominate the production of calcium carbonate in the surface ocean. This process controls atmospheric CO2 levels and is crucial for understanding climate change and ocean acidification.
Researchers at MIT have developed a membrane-free electrochemical process to remove carbon dioxide from seawater, potentially reversing ocean acidification. The system could be integrated with existing desalination plants or ships to help mitigate emissions.
A study by Pusan National University researchers investigates the effects of mild acid hydrolysis on sulfated fucans in sea cucumbers and sea urchins. The results show selective 2-desulfation, leading to an 8-sugar-long oligosaccharide production.
A new study found that red sea urchin populations in Northern and Southern California have different levels of vulnerability to climate change. The researchers grew juvenile sea urchins in outdoor tanks and exposed them to changing conditions, showing that the Southern California population is more sensitive to environmental changes.
Researchers studied ancient sediment and microfossils to understand the Ocean Anoxic Event 2 (OAE2), a significant environmental disruption that choked oxygen from oceans. The team proposes a new hypothesis for the Plenus Cold Event, which briefly interrupted intense greenhouse temperatures due to ocean acidification.
Researchers found that larvae of the Atlantic mangrove fiddler crab survived less in warmer water and underwent physiological changes due to higher acidity. Marine heatwaves will be harmful to species and those that feed on them, with potential economic losses to fisheries. Further research is needed to understand the effects.
A new study reveals that global warming and ocean acidification are threatening marine organisms with calcium carbonate skeletons, such as corals and sea urchins. The researchers found a clear pattern showing that species with high levels of magnesium in their skeletons become more common with warmer seawater temperatures.
A study found that ocean warming and acidification decrease the nutritional quality of coccolithophores, a crucial food source for zooplankton species. The study's experiment showed an increase in lipid availability under ocean warming but reduced nutritional content under acidification.
Researchers discovered that krill oil protects dopaminergic neurons from age-related degeneration through temporal transcriptome rewiring and suppression of several hallmarks of aging. Krill oil increases neuronal resilience, promoting anti-oxidative stress and anti-inflammation, and abrogating multiple aging hallmarks.
Researchers measured phycotoxin concentrations in bull sharks caught in the Indian River Lagoon, finding multiple toxins widespread or persistent in the environment. The study highlights dietary exposure as a key mechanism of toxin transfer to bull sharks.
The discussion focused on the impact of ocean acidification, compound events, sea-level rise, and climate injustice, with experts highlighting the need for youth involvement in decision-making. The panel agreed on the urgent need for climate action ahead of COP27, emphasizing cooperation between nations to mitigate the crisis.
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 warn that half of the world's coral reefs may become unsuitable by 2035 due to a combination of climate change stressors. This finding has significant implications for local biodiversity, culture, fisheries, and tourism in Hawaii and beyond.
A study tested whether adding shell hash—pulverized clam shells—to sediments could help raise the pH of pore waters and aid in calcification for infaunal marine organisms. Adding shell hash increased the pH and alkalinity of the pore fluids, helping to buffer against acidic conditions and promote biologic calcification.
New research simulates climate warming and ocean acidification in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean, finding that high emissions could lead to critically warm temperatures as early as 2050. Reducing emissions may delay this onset, giving coral conservation programs more time to adapt.
Researchers found that the return of radiolarians, a tiny marine organism, helped restore habitable conditions after the massive extinction event. The study suggests that every microorganism plays a vital role in regulating biogeochemical cycles and conservation of the planet.
A new study reveals a strong correlation between accelerating Arctic ice melt and ocean acidification, posing a dual threat to climate and marine life. The increased acidity levels in the western Arctic Ocean could lead to devastating consequences for plants, shellfish, coral reefs, and other organisms.
A new study reveals that plastic degradation releases organic compounds and CO2 into the water, causing a drop in pH levels. The study found that aged plastic contributes significantly more to ocean acidification than new plastic, with some types of plastic releasing up to 0.5 pH units.
Researchers warn that climate change will increase uncertainty in international law governing maritime zones, affecting small island states. Technologies like GPS and satellite bathmetry may help solidify claims, but more data is needed to accurately delineate existing boundaries.
Marine heatwaves and ocean acidity extremes often co-occur in subtropical oceans, exacerbating negative impacts. Climate change projections indicate a strong increase in compound events, posing severe threats to marine ecosystems.
Research warns of substantial loss in kelp canopy, decline in Dungeness crab and razor clam survival rates, and loss of aerobic habitat for anchovy and pink shrimp. Climate change impacts will be complex, with some effects boosting metabolism but others decreasing survival rates.
A global team of experts identifies 15 emerging issues threatening marine and coastal biodiversity, including lithium extraction and deep-sea fishing. The horizon scan highlights the importance of assessing these issues now to drive policy change and protect ecosystems.
A new standardized method for measuring calcium carbonate on ocean floors can help researchers compare coral reef health globally. The 'how-to' guide enables the collection of comparable data from coral and oyster reefs worldwide, providing insights into the impacts of climate change and human activities.
A new study finds that cold-water corals thrive when food supply and oxygen content are available, but decline in response to changes. The research, led by MARUM, analyzed sediments from six locations and found that these factors have been critical to coral survival over the past 20,000 years.
Diatoms, responsible for 40% of ocean plant biomass production, are declining due to ocean acidification. This decline can lead to nutrient scarcity in surface waters and disrupt marine food webs. Global simulations predict a loss of up to 27% silica in surface waters by 2200.
Shellfish farmers in California are adapting to ocean acidification by diversifying their operations and relying on scientific resources to pinpoint environmental factors contributing to large die-off events. Growers also emphasize the need for policy changes, such as adjusting regulatory requirements and permitting processes.
An international team of scientists has discovered a new type of fossilization that provides evidence of plankton resilience during past global warming events. The study found abundant ghost fossils of coccolithophores, which were previously thought to be severely affected by climate change and ocean acidification.
A new study identifies food and oxygen supply as crucial environmental factors influencing the vitality of cold-water corals in the North Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. The analysis of ancient sediments reveals that changes in food supply, rather than ocean temperature, are likely to determine the future health of these ecosystems.
Researchers found that sand lance embryos are highly sensitive to ocean acidification, with hatching success reduced to 71% by 2100. This could have severe impacts on the ecosystem, as sand lance are a critical component of the food web in the Northwest Atlantic.
Scientists confirm a brief rise in CO2 emissions before the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM), an abrupt global warming event. The study reveals unique insights into how Earth's current climate could respond to continued carbon emissions.
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.
A 22-month study on Hawaiian corals suggests that some species can remain resilient in warmer and more acidic waters. The study found that half of the coral species could survive with minimal damage if climate change is mitigated within Paris Climate Agreement targets.
A study in Hawaiian coral species found that some display resilience to ocean warming and acidification. Coral samples survived better under certain conditions, with Porites compressa being more resilient than Montipora capitata.
Researchers found that some fish species can rapidly evolve molecular toolkits to cope with ocean acidification, allowing them to maintain population size and biodiversity. However, other species may struggle to adapt, highlighting the need for conservation efforts.
The end-Permian mass extinction was characterized by a 10-degree climate warming, with 75% of organisms going extinct on land and 90% in oceans. Machine learning analysis reveals that declining oxygen levels, rising water temperatures, and ocean acidification were the key factors in organism survival or extinction.
Researchers from Texas A&M University have discovered past methane release in the Southern Ocean during a peak glaciation 23 million years ago. This finding suggests that ancient methane gas hydrates could contribute to ocean acidification and low oxygen levels, similar to recent environmental issues in the Gulf of Mexico.
Scientists discover that corals produce CaCO3 in compartments shielded from seawater, explaining differences in resilience to ocean acidification. Variations in crystallization rates among species contribute to varying levels of sensitivity.
Researchers analyzed trends in reported effects of ocean acidification on fish behavior and found that the magnitude of those impacts has decreased dramatically, with negligible effects for the past five years. Common scientific biases, such as publication bias, largely explained the decline in severe effects.
Researchers found that coral species with faster skeletal crystallization rates are more resilient to ocean acidification. A team of UW-Madison students contributed to the analysis and were co-authors on the study. The findings have significant implications for developing mitigation strategies against ocean acidification.
A study published in Scientific Reports uses fossilized mollusk shells to investigate ocean chemistry during the end-Permian mass extinction. The analysis found no signs of severe ocean acidification, contradicting previous theories.
Researchers found that ocean acidification and global warming alter fish behavior in groups, affecting their ability to acquire food and evade predators. This disruption could lead to species extinction as tropical fish struggle in new temperate areas.
Researchers found that climate change is causing a compound effect of extreme events in the oceans, including heatwaves, acidity, and low oxygen levels. This combination can be fatal to marine species, especially those already living at the upper end of their optimal temperature range.
A study by Stockholm University researchers found that PFAS from the ocean re-emitted into air with crashing waves significantly contribute to PFAS air pollution in coastal areas. The transportation of toxic substances from seawater to marine air via sea spray aerosols poses a significant threat to health and the environment.
MARUM researchers simulate alternative hydrocarbon formation through reduction of acetic acid, proposing a new explanation for unusual isotope patterns. The findings provide insight into the rapid thermal alteration of sedimentary organic matter and its role in the global carbon cycle.
Researchers found that most coralline algae are negatively impacted by ocean acidification, with decreases in abundance and calcification rates. However, some species, like those in the family Mesophyllumaceae, appear to be more resilient to ocean acidification.
Coral reefs will experience substantial declines in productivity and survival due to rising sea temperatures and ocean acidification, with some attributes responding similarly to heat stress with or without acidification
Researchers found daily and seasonal fluctuations in chemical conditions despite long-term ocean acidification trends. Massive cycles occur every five to 10 years, causing extreme events that stress sensitive organisms.
Research from UBC and HKU Earth scientists reveals that massive volcanism played a key role in triggering oceanic anoxia, with CO2-induced environmental warming creating 'dead zones' over short timescales. The findings provide important insights into the sensitivity of the Earth system to global biogeochemical cycles and marine biology.
New research suggests that artificial ocean alkalinization can offset ten years of projected acidification in the Great Barrier Reef. The study used a high-resolution model to simulate the impact of alkalinity injection on the reef's acidity, finding that it could sequester 35,000 tons of carbon per year and alleviate the effects of oc...
A study found that fish living in CO2 vents with reduced pH have higher gene expression in gonads related to pH homeostasis and metabolism. This suggests an adaptive mechanism for survival in a lower pH environment.
A new study examines the feasibility of ocean alkalinization to simultaneously address global warming and ocean acidification. The research reveals that nearly doubling the carbon-dioxide uptake rate of the Mediterranean Sea after 30 years could mitigate climate change and counteract acidification.
A six-year study found seagrass meadows can alleviate low pH conditions for extended periods of time, even at night. The grasses can reduce local acidity by up to 30 percent, benefiting marine life such as sea turtles and fish.
Researchers analyzed fossilized shells to reconstruct Earth's climate during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum, a period of abrupt global warming and ocean acidification. The study found that foraminifera consumed less alkalinity from seawater to buffer increasing ocean acidity.
Sea butterflies are already experiencing difficulties building their shells due to ocean acidification, which will worsen in the future. They shift from growing thicker and larger shells to investing more in becoming larger, posing a major problem for local sea life that depend on them for food.
A team led by VIMS researchers is studying the impact of ocean acidification on oysters and their aquaculture in the Chesapeake Bay. The goal is to develop tools for forecasting acidification thresholds to help growers make informed decisions.