Articles tagged with Ocean Chemistry
A chemical process used by cooks to create flavors and aromas is believed to have helped create conditions for complex life to evolve on Earth. The Maillard reaction, also known as the browning of food, converts small molecules into larger ones that are harder for microorganisms to break down.
Direct ocean carbon capture (DOC) technology uses membrane contactors to remove CO2 from seawater, offering a cost-effective alternative to land-based solutions. The University of Pittsburgh team has developed innovative DOC methods using hollow fiber and encapsulated solvents, demonstrating their potential to significantly lower costs.
Researchers at UC Santa Barbara found that diatoms and coccolithophores, two key phytoplankton groups, can tolerate increased ocean alkalinity without significant harm. The treatment can speed up the geologic process of carbon sequestration, reducing acidity in oceans.
A pioneering study using deep-sea corals reveals that ocean currents did not fuel the increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide over the past 11,000 years. The research suggests that biogeochemical cycles redistributing nutrients and carbon in the ocean and on land may have influenced this rise.
The InVADER Mission successfully deployed a high-tech laser laboratory on the ocean floor, marking a paradigm shift in ocean research and exploration. The Laser Divebot collects compositional data without disturbing the environment, removing the need for physical samples.
Scientists at the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology are trialling crushed rock dust to remove large amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The Enhanced Rock Weathering project has the potential to boost crop yield while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
New research reveals that atmospheric dust supports 4.5% of global annual carbon export production through phytoplankton growth, with regional variation up to 20-40%. This pathway helps regulate atmospheric carbon dioxide levels and mitigate climate change.
Oceanographers warn of limitations in carbon dioxide removal, emphasizing the need for rapid emission cuts to limit global warming. Clear definitions of marine heatwaves are also crucial for coastal communities to adapt and resource managers to prioritize mitigation strategies.
A detailed and dynamic model of the Earth's surface over the past 100 million years provides a high-resolution understanding of its creation and sediment flow to oceans. The model will help scientists predict future changes and understand ocean chemistry.
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.
A study published in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics found that phytoplankton productivity in the Southern Ocean contributes to dense clouds that reflect sunlight. The high density of water droplets in these clouds helps regulate global temperatures and precipitation patterns.
Researchers found that benzene and toluene emitted by ocean plankton contribute significantly to aerosol production, increasing organic aerosols by up to 80% in the Southern Ocean. This biological origin of these gases is a significant factor in cloud formation and climate accuracy.
Scientists discovered high levels of toxic chemicals, including 4-nonylphenol from toilet paper, in the bodies of orcas in B.C., which may contribute to their population decline. Forever chemicals like 7:3-fluorotelomer carboxylic acid were also found, highlighting the need for pollution management and regulation.
A new study suggests that an orbiting space probe could provide definitive answers about the presence of life on Enceladus' ocean. The team mapped out how a hypothetical mission could gather data from the moon's plumes, which are thought to contain organic molecules and methane.
Researchers have developed a robot capable of sorting, manipulating, and identifying microscopic marine fossils. Forabot uses robotics and artificial intelligence to automate the tedious process of evaluating foram shells and fossils.
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 discovered trapped seawater sealed in North American rock for 390 million years, shedding light on ancient oceans' chemistry and potential for storing carbon-free fuel. The study's findings could inform geologic studies and help identify subsurface locations to safely store hydrogen.
A recent study by researchers at MARUM and ICBM found that plankton communities have migrated to higher latitudes since the last ice age, leading to the formation of new species assemblages. These changes occurred even after ocean temperatures stabilized, suggesting a non-uniform response to global warming.
Researchers Dr Zoe Doubleday and Dr Jasmin Martino created a map of ocean chemistry that distinguishes the origin of seafood between south-east Asia and southern Australia. The universal chemical fingerprints can track where individual seafood comes from, helping to combat seafood fraud and ensure consumer trust.
Researchers found that open ocean oxygen-deficient zones shrank during past warm periods due to reduced denitrification rates and changes in tropical Pacific Ocean oxygen content. This suggests a possible link between climate change and ocean oxygen levels.
Researchers found a 33% drop in total mercury concentrations in the Barents Sea during the polar night, attributed to a scavenging process involving manganese particles. This decrease in surface levels may lead to increased toxic mercury formation in sediments and potentially more methylmercury in Arctic food webs.
Researchers analyzed fossil corals to reveal changed ocean current circulation patterns. The data supports a scenario where the upper Pacific Ocean was more mixed during the last ice age, contributing to carbon storage and cooler climates.
Researchers have identified a regulatory network controlling zinc accumulation in marine cyanobacteria, allowing them to vary their internal zinc levels by over two orders of magnitude. This network is unique among bacteria, enabling the extraordinary capacity to accumulate zinc.
New research suggests that 62% of warming in the subtropical North Atlantic is stored in the deep ocean below 700m. The study estimates a further 0.2°C warming in the next 50 years due to climate change.
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.
Researchers at Florida Atlantic University found that increasing sun exposure in rehabilitation facilities can enhance health and recovery in green sea turtles with fibropapillomatosis. Vitamin D levels increased significantly in turtles exposed to higher UV light, leading to less tumor regrowth and improved overall health.
Researchers have discovered that sea sponges themselves produce biologically active compounds, including terpenes with potential malaria-fighting properties. This finding represents a 'fundamental shift' in the field and opens up new avenues for drug discovery using animals as vessels.
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 analyzed global zircon grain chemistry data to understand ocean evolution and its connection to atmospheric oxygenation. They found two major increases in continental input from rivers were linked to break-up and dispersal of continents, shaping the Earth's oceans, atmosphere, and climate.
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.
Freshwater from melting sea ice delays carbon absorption and storage in the Arctic Ocean. The study found that four months of organic carbon production were trapped above 50 meters, with more nutrients and biomass reaching the ocean floor.
A new study finds that bio-based cellulose acetate plastic widely used in consumer goods disintegrates and degrades in the ocean on timescales of months, contrary to previous assumptions of decades. The rapid degradation is attributed to marine microbes, which can break down CDA-based materials using esterase and cellulose enzymes.
A new Stanford University study suggests that rising oxygen levels may have slowed down ancient ocean extinctions. The research found that oxygen levels beyond 40% of present atmospheric levels expanded viable ocean habitat and reduced extinction rates. This discovery has implications for understanding the fate of ocean creatures in to...
A study published in Scientific Reports suggests that between 10.3% and 82% of the global ocean may experience new climates with higher temperatures and lower aragonite saturation by 2100. The disappearance of these climates could force marine species to adapt rapidly or disappear.
A team of scientists from Princeton University found that the Arctic Ocean's nitrogen supply is limited by strong stratification, preventing plankton growth and potentially affecting fish populations. The research used fossilized plankton to study the history of nitrogen sources and supply rates in the western and central Arctic Ocean.
Researchers analyzed magnetic fossil particles to decode environmental changes during the ancient warming event. The study found that oxygen levels declined rapidly in the New Jersey coast and fluctuated thereafter.
Tipping points in ocean physics, chemistry, and biology may cause high-probability, high-impact effects cumulatively leading to global consequences. The study suggests treating these events as seriously as catastrophic ones for effective management.
A global assessment reveals that groundwater discharge plays a significant role in ocean chemistry, with elements like lithium and barium entering the sea from underground sources. The study suggests that groundwater inputs can account for up to 16% of river contributions to ocean chemistry.
A study using ocean chemistry models reveals that respiration quotient increases with rising temperature, leading to accelerated declines in ocean oxygen. The findings suggest a link between global warming and reduced ocean oxygen availability.
A new study shows that the collapse of terrestrial ecosystems during the Permian-Triassic extinction, also known as the Great Dying, directly disrupted ocean chemistry. This finding highlights the importance of understanding inter-connectedness of ecosystems in the face of environmental challenges.
A new study reveals that rapid urbanization and poor waste management are the primary causes of coral reef loss in the South China Sea. The research, led by HKU marine ecologists, used geochemical techniques to analyze coral skeletons and found a significant increase in nitrogen pollution coinciding with Hong Kong's rapid development.
A new study reveals that the red tide-causing species Karenia brevis can efficiently utilize carbon dioxide in both high- and low-CO2 environments. The algae is able to thrive equally well in disparate concentrations, making it more resilient than previously thought.
A recent study published in Science suggests that global warming can alter ocean chemistry, threatening the future of many fish species. The researchers found that increased CO2 levels can lead to oxygen loss in oceans, allowing sulfate-eating bacteria to thrive and producing hydrogen sulfide, a broad-spectrum toxin.
The Scripps Institution of Oceanography will develop an advanced ocean and atmosphere simulator to replicate complex ocean conditions and generate gale-force winds in a controlled setting. The simulator will help researchers understand how pollutants and climate change affect marine animals, plants, cloud formation, and the planet.
Scientists from the University of Cambridge and Tokyo Institute of Technology found that rangeomorphs, some of the first large organisms, grew up to two meters tall by changing their body shape to extract nutrients. This adaptation allowed them to thrive in a changing ocean environment.
Researchers have identified the driving force behind differences in sea spray particles' chemical make-up, enabling better understanding of ocean chemistry and physics' influence on cloud formation. The study's findings could improve climate models by providing a more accurate representation of clouds' impact on precipitation.
Scientists discovered that biological activity in sea spray affects the chemical composition of aerosol particles, making them more complex and diverse. This finding could improve the accuracy of atmospheric and climate models, which play a crucial role in understanding the impact of sea spray on climate.
Scientists discover that Europa's tidal dissipation process generates significantly more heat in its ice than previously assumed. This finding has implications for estimating the thickness of the moon's outer shell and understanding the chemistry of the hidden ocean, which is crucial for searching for life.
Researchers developed a detailed chemical zonation model for oxygen-deficient oceans prior to 520 million years ago. The model suggests that early life was influenced by the heterogeneous and dynamic chemical conditions of these ancient oceans.
A multi-institutional research team discovered that early animals took their first breaths with only a slight increase in oxygen levels, contradicting the long-held theory of dramatic oxygen changes. This finding provides new insights into the evolution of complex life forms like whales and sharks.
Mercury contamination is affecting fish populations worldwide, with yellowfin tuna concentrations doubling by 2050 if emissions continue to rise. Human activity is driving the increase in mercury levels, highlighting the need for urgent action to reduce pollution.
Researchers from Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences propose a controlled experiment to test the risks and benefits of solar radiation management, aiming to reduce uncertainty in climate engineering. The 'stratospheric perturbation experiment' would involve a tiny amount of material to measure key aspects of atmospheric ...
The OCULLAR instrument can measure ocean color under low-light conditions, allowing scientists to monitor the health and chemistry of the oceans around the clock. This capability will enable researchers to study phytoplankton, microscopic ocean plants that form the base of the oceanic food web.
Researchers quantify the extent of ancient oxygen-free and hydrogen sulfide-rich waters in the ocean during a major extinction event 93.9 million years ago. This discovery highlights the significant impact on ocean chemistry and biological activity, suggesting that even limited euxinia can have profound effects on marine life.
Research at Princeton University found that migrating ocean animals consume vast amounts of oxygen in the ocean's 'oxygen minimum zone'. This phenomenon, known as diel vertical migration (DVM), results in oxygen depletion and can be disrupted by climate change.
A team of scientists used a new approach to study aerosols, finding that biological activity in sea spray reduces its ability to form clouds. The study isolated marine aerosols, demonstrating the impact of biological mixtures on climate properties.
Scientists have discovered a potential cause of Earth's 'icehouse climate' cooling trend, linking it to changes in seawater sulfate content. The study proposes that times of high sulfate concentrations correlate with global cooling, while low concentrations correspond to greenhouse periods.
Researchers from the University of Southampton have discovered a way to track Atlantic salmon's feeding grounds in the North Atlantic. By analyzing the chemistry of their scales, scientists can now identify where individual rivers' salmon migrate to feed, revealing surprising differences in their ocean experiences.
Researchers discovered key bacterial genes influencing sulfur gas flux from seawater, impacting cloud formation. This finding helps evaluate the impacts of climate change on cloud manipulation as a potential method to mitigate global warming.
Researchers studied earthquakes, volcanoes and land use in North America. They found evidence of localized active extension in Italy's central Apennines and a unique rare earth element signature in hydrothermal systems.