Articles tagged with Ocean Currents
Climate researchers predict an irreversible inflow of warm water under the ice shelf due to rising air temperatures above the Weddell Sea. The resulting meltwater feedback cycle could lead to dramatic melting and collapse of the second-largest ice shelf in Antarctica.
Researchers at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School developed a new technique to measure near-surface ocean currents using a specialized video camera. This innovation can help scientists predict the fate of spilled oil and other marine pollutants, improving disaster response and understanding pollutant transport.
A new analysis of decades-long ocean data reveals a troubling oxygen decline, with oxygen levels dropping in the 1980s as temperatures rose. The rate of global oxygen loss exceeds natural variability, impacting marine habitats and leading to frequent 'hypoxic events' that kill or displace fish populations.
A study predicts areas of plastic input and deposition based on global climate change and ocean circulation. Microplastics interact with marine species in various habitats, and changing sea surface temperatures affect precipitation patterns.
A new study confirms that the Arctic Ocean is a dead-end for plastics in the North Atlantic, with high levels found in seas east of Greenland and north of Scandinavia. The research emphasizes the importance of managing plastic litter at its source to prevent unpredictable destinations.
Researchers discovered that young European eels detect subtle differences in the earth's magnetic field, helping them swim towards the Gulf Stream, a conveyor belt transporting them to Europe. The findings reveal that juvenile eels use their magnetic map sense to increase their chances of catching a free ride to their destination.
A new study in Space Weather suggests that aircrews may experience increased radiation exposure due to weak solar activity, which could impact flight safety and radiation exposure for frequent flyers. Researchers also found auroral activity on Uranus, providing fresh clues about its magnetosphere.
A recent study tracks data spanning a decade to find that older red snapper age eight and up have higher reproductive rates than younger fish, while fishing pressure has declined and spawning stock biomass has increased
The grant will support a 'Research Experiences for Undergraduates' program at FAU's SNMREC, focusing on ocean current resource assessment and system design. Student scholars will engage in hands-on research activities, seminars, and career mentoring.
Scientists have found evidence of severe droughts in the Mideast during past warm periods, with rainfall plummeting to a fifth of modern levels. The findings suggest that the region is already experiencing dire drought and may become even drier as climate warms.
Researchers found distinct genetic differences between soft coral populations in northwest Ireland, southern Portugal, and southwest Britain. These findings suggest that some marine species can be as disconnected as those divided by mountains or motorways, highlighting the need to protect each species in multiple locations.
A proposed Marine Protected Area (MPA) in the Sea of the Hebrides, Scotland, would provide essential conditions for basking sharks to forage and possibly breed. Satellite tracking data from 36 sharks showed 86% residency within the proposed area.
Exposure to highly fluorinated chemicals has been linked to kidney and testicular cancer, elevated cholesterol, and decreased fertility. The chemicals do not break down and can remain in the environment for thousands of years, contaminating water, air, and food.
A recent study found that massive warm-water eddies in the Caribbean Sea contribute to intense hurricanes like Matthew. The research team measured ocean temperature, salinity, and currents to better understand these oceanic features.
A new study identified six 'hot spots of marine biodiversity' severely impacted by climate change and fishing pressures, including the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. Industrial fishing has reduced global fish stocks, with harvest pressure expected to further exacerbate decline in these areas.
Researchers developed a model simulating the motion of floating debris, revealing how ocean currents transport and accumulate marine debris. The study found that undrogued drifters accumulate in gyre centers, while anchored drifters take longer to reach the center.
African penguins are getting stuck in the wrong part of the sea due to fishing and climate change, leading to reduced food supply and higher mortality rates. Researchers suggest that translocating chicks to safe areas or implementing spatial fishing closures could help protect the endangered species.
Researchers from the University of Granada have reconstructed the Gibraltar Arc's movement 9 million years ago, revealing clockwise and counterclockwise rotations of large land blocks. The study reconciles contradictory data on the region's tectonic history.
Two new phytoplankton groups have been found to favor warmer oceans, defying the expectation that eukaryotic species decline in these conditions. The discovery was made using over 6,000 RNA sequences and time-series sampling, providing insight into future ocean ecosystems.
A new study suggests that the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) may not be as stable as previously thought, with changes occurring abruptly in geologic terms. The research predicts a potential collapse of the AMOC system, which could have significant implications for regional and global climate change.
Random temperature fluctuations in the mantle and on the surface could be the reason Earth is a habitable world, while other terrestrial planets are inhospitable. Additionally, commercial oyster farming can restore biodiversity by cleaning polluted waterways.
A new study published in Science suggests that meeting the Paris Agreement's global warming target of 1.5 degrees Celsius could lead to a significant increase in global fish catches, with potential gains ranging from three to six million metric tons per year. The researchers found that some oceans are more sensitive to changes in tempe...
A new species of octopod, the 'Casper', has been found at record-breaking ocean depths, and its eggs are laid on sponges attached to seafloor nodules rich in valuable metals. The removal of these nodules may put the lifecycle of these octopods at risk due to their association with manganese crusts.
Researchers discovered a new species of deep-sea octopus that guards its eggs on sponges attached to manganese nodules. The species' dependence on the nodules suggests industrial resource extraction must be preceded by ecological investigations.
Cycads' seed storage tissue contains 70% carbohydrates, including starch and sugars, which aid in embryo health during arduous oceanic journeys. The study highlights the importance of published research for informing plant conservation decisions.
A new study by University of Miami researchers found that the Agulhas Current, a major Indian Ocean current, has broadened since the early 1990s due to increased turbulence from intensifying winds. This widening of the current has significant implications for global climate change and ocean heat transport.
Researchers discovered that breaking waves across a rip channel can close the channel and stop currents from traveling far offshore. However, when waves cease to break, rip currents flow far offshore, posing a greater hazard to swimmers.
Tropical Storm Meari is forecast to intensify in the western Pacific Ocean, with a high chance of reaching 85 knots (97mph). The storm's organized low-level circulation and favorable environment will contribute to its steady growth.
Early Pacific seafarers likely harnessed El Nino and other climate patterns to settle Remote Oceania. The research suggests Samoa as a key staging area for East Polynesia colonization.
A study by Stanford scientists warns that the future of Antarctic marine protected areas is under threat due to entrenched positions on Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and fishing interests. The authors argue that CCAMLR's failure to adopt a system of MPAs could set a negative example for global ocean challenges.
Scientists are developing an early warning system to detect and predict jellyfish blooms that can clog water intakes at coastal power plants. The tool will provide gridded maps showing the probability of jellyfish arrival times, enabling rapid risk evaluation and informing operational responses.
Researchers calculate basin-wide measurements of dissolved organic sulfur in the East Atlantic and Southern Ocean, finding it to be the largest oceanic reservoir of organic sulfur. The discovery challenges current understanding and suggests active involvement in the microbial loop, similar to organic nitrogen.
A University of Washington study links Atlantic Ocean slowdown to changes in the Southern Hemisphere, which affects eastern North America and Western Europe. The shift is not driven by Arctic sea ice melting but rather by winds in the Southern Ocean.
A new fault has been identified in the Salton Sea area of Southern California, which could impact current seismic hazard models and earthquake risk assessment. The discovery provides much-needed information on the intricate structure of earthquake faults beneath the sea and may offer new insights into the region's earthquake cycle.
New research suggests that closing the high seas to fishing could increase fish catches in coastal waters by up to 10% and help reduce climate change impacts. This approach can benefit tropical countries with high dependence on fisheries for food and livelihood, particularly those affected by rising carbon dioxide levels.
New research shows coral larvae cannot survive a 5,000-kilometer trip across the Pacific to replenish eastern corals. Simulations indicate reefs in the Eastern Tropical Pacific are isolated and vulnerable to disturbances.
A team of scientists used a state-of-the-art computer model to test Charles Darwin's hypothesis that marine species cannot cross the Eastern Pacific's 'impassable' marine barrier. The study found that even under extreme El Niño conditions, coral larvae could not survive long enough to make the trip across the ocean.
Researchers have found strong evidence of sea ice distribution in the Nordic seas over the past 90,000 years, using a marine sediment core. The study reveals that sea ice played a significant role in shaping climate change and ocean currents during this period.
A new study reveals the exact timing of the modern monsoon pattern in the Maldives 12.9 million years ago, linking it to past climate changes and coral reefs. The analysis of sediment cores provides direct physical evidence of environmental conditions that sparked the monsoon system still affecting the Indian subcontinent today.
Historical rates and patterns of tropical deforestation around the globe were used to estimate carbon emissions and species losses over time. Current emissions and extinctions are mostly tied to past actions.
Researchers used oceanographic data to calculate the movement of MH370 debris, finding that the most probable locations for additional washed-up debris are Tanzania and Mozambique. The main wreckage is likely to be in a wide search area between 28°S and 35°S.
Research published in Scientific Reports finds that current atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations already commit the planet to air temperatures exceeding 1.5°C over many land regions. This expected extra warming could impact city planning and ecosystem services.
A University of Washington study reveals that polar oceans export organic carbon to the deep sea more efficiently than other regions, storing it for centuries. This process, known as the biological pump, highlights the importance of the polar ocean in mitigating climate change.
A new study of ancient graptolite fossils reveals that plankton communities began changing in important ways 400,000 years before massive extinctions. The effects of environmental degradation can be subtle until they reach a tipping point, leading to dramatic declines in population.
Researchers developed a system to predict storm damage by waves in the North Sea, focusing on densely populated areas. The model simulates waves and tidal currents, indicating interactions between waves from different directions play a fundamental role in wave climate.
A major international review found that radiation levels in oceans are decreasing, except near the Fukushima plant where ongoing releases remain a concern. The report highlights the need for continued radiation assessment to understand changing risks.
Ocean currents intensifying will cause warmer and stormier weather along eastern coasts of South Africa, Asia, Australasia, and South America over the next 100 years. A new study suggests capping global warming at 2 degrees Celsius would require net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2085.
The ocean's slow circulation rate allowed it to store more carbon for longer periods than previously thought. This process released carbon into the deep ocean, where it was trapped due to slow circulation and eventually dissolved, storing large amounts of CO2 for thousands of years.
Researchers at Harvard developed an ultra-compact flat lens that can resolve both spectral information and chirality of objects. The device has significant potential for various fields, including biology and pharmaceuticals.
A University of Liverpool study reveals that the Caribbean Sea's unique resonance produces oscillations in the Earth's gravity field, detectable from space. These changes can cause significant sea level fluctuations, influencing coastal flooding and climate regulation.
Scientists have calculated the fate of Greenland's melting freshwater, finding that more than half of it is transported southward by the Labrador Current. The study suggests that the melting-induced impact on ocean salinity is smaller than expected and may lead to a weakening of the Gulf Stream system.
To reduce sea turtle mortality in Chesapeake Bay, researchers are releasing 'Frankenturtles' into the bay, tracking their movement and studying how wind and currents affect a dead turtle's trajectory. The goal is to gain insights into likely causes of sea-turtle death and develop safe zones for these imperiled marine reptiles.
A new study reveals that large marine and terrestrial species are in 'double jeopardy' of extinction, with economic value driving risk above a certain threshold. The analysis highlights the importance of considering trade and differences between terrestrial and marine animals when designing effective conservation strategies.
A new study reveals that cephalopod populations have consistently increased over the past six decades, with diverse groups exhibiting remarkable long-term trends. The research suggests that cephalopods' rapid growth and adaptability may be key factors behind their proliferation in changing ocean environments.
The KORUS-OC expedition will study the daily changes of the seas surrounding South Korea, focusing on phytoplankton and their role in Earth's carbon cycle. The research aims to better understand how oxygen and carbon flow between the ocean and atmosphere.
Researchers found that zooplankton communities in the Southern Ocean migrate vertically to escape predators and feed on phytoplankton blooms at the sea ice edge. Long-term measurements revealed annual cycles of migration, with disruptions during the southern summer due to food abundance.
A team of researchers from the University of Georgia has discovered that most of the freshwater pouring into oceans from melting Greenland ice sheet originates from the east coast. The study found that wind and ocean currents transport meltwater around the southern tip of Greenland, which is then largely deposited into the Labrador Sea.
Sea ice physicists project a possible record-low Arctic sea ice extent this summer, with thin ice unlikely to survive the melting season. The CryoSat-2 satellite data shows that arctic sea ice was unusually thin in 2015 and grew slowly during the past winter.
Phytoplankton can spread globally in under a decade, while pollution can become a problem within years. The study's model, using Dijkstra's algorithm, confirmed travel times for real-world objects like plastic debris and radioactive particles.
Steve Elgar, a physical oceanographer at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, has been awarded a National Security Science and Engineering Faculty Fellowship to study surf zone processes. His research aims to develop numerical models that simulate wave dynamics and predict coastal flooding, beach erosion, and rip currents.