Articles tagged with Ocean Currents
A team of researchers discovered that a single extracellular protein, ECMP-67, drives the formation of calcite in soft corals. This finding allows for understanding how these organisms thrive in environments where other species cannot survive.
Scientists have successfully observed a tsunami using high-frequency radar, which can detect changes in ocean currents and track wave movement. This innovation could lead to improved early warning systems for coastal regions like Southeast Asia and the East Coast.
A new network of deep-ocean moorings is being deployed in the Indonesia Archipelago to measure changes in ocean currents between the Pacific and Indian Oceans. The moorings will help scientists understand the impact of these currents on Australia's climate, including tropical weather patterns and seasonal rainfall.
Researchers uncover large variations in Arctic sea ice extent over the past 10,000 years, revealing that current amounts are likely less than half of those seen during the Holocene Climate Optimum. The team's findings suggest changes in wind patterns contribute to climate-driven ice loss.
A comprehensive assessment reveals that relying on protected areas is insufficient to address the ongoing global biodiversity crisis. The study highlights five key technical and practical limitations of this approach, including inadequate enforcement and insufficient funding.
A two-year study by Dalhousie University researchers reveals the California Current is a crucial habitat for marine predators like tunas, sharks, and sea turtles. The study found that these species migrate predictably to the region when it warms and cools.
A decade-long study of Pacific Ocean predators reveals the California Current as a vital habitat with predictable seasonal patterns, attracting an array of marine life. The study shows that many species return to specific regions with astonishing fidelity, using internal cues to navigate.
A multidisciplinary team will collect water and biological samples, take ocean current measurements, and analyze radionuclides to understand the impact of radiation on marine life and human health. The expedition aims to establish a baseline for radioactive contaminants in the ocean.
The article discusses the complexity and influence of Alaska glaciers, highlighting the need for integrating field observations and glacier simulation models to better understand process changes. Rapid mass loss of Alaska glaciers since the mid-1990s poses a significant threat to coastal communities, particularly in developing countries.
Research suggests that the Antarctic Circumpolar Current played a key role in the onset of ancient global cooling, with evidence pointing to its impact around 30 million years ago. This finding is significant as it places the development of the current's shallow circulation in the same interval when the climate began its long-term shif...
Research published in Science finds that early ACC development impacted global climate, causing significant temperature differences between the equator and Antarctica. The study suggests that the ACC's formation led to the modern ocean structure and heat distribution system.
Researchers found that freshwater from melting ice sheets can weaken climate-controlling ocean currents, leading to dramatic climate change. The study's results suggest a future ice sheet collapse would have significant climatic consequences.
Typhoon Songda intensified into a major typhoon over the northern Philippines due to warm sea surface temperatures and low wind shear. The TRMM satellite provided detailed rainfall analysis using its Microwave Imager and Precipitation Radar instruments, showing well-organized bands of heavy rainfall converging into the storm.
The West Coast high-frequency radar network, operated by Scripps Institution of Oceanography, provides kilometer-scale current observations out to 150 kilometers offshore and 2,500 kilometers of shoreline. This network allows for the determination of geographic differences in coastal surface circulation and characterization of phenomen...
Kakani Katija, a postdoctoral scholar at WHOI, has been recognized as one of National Geographic's Emerging Explorers for her innovative research on biogenic ocean mixing. Her work focuses on the power sources that propel ocean currents, suggesting that swimming animals could play a significant role in shaping global climate.
Research reveals a new freshwater source for Antarctic coastal waters, where meltwater from glaciers drives high discharge rates. Phytoplankton also affect clouds and precipitation, leading to increased cloud albedo and reduced cloud droplet radius.
Researchers have discovered that pyrite nanoparticles from hydrothermal vents are a significant source of iron for ocean life, with the ability to travel long distances and form a potentially important food source. These nanoparticles are dispersed into the ocean rather than falling to the bottom due to their small size.
Researchers have found that minute particles of pyrite from hydrothermal vents are a rich source of iron in the deep sea, providing a nutrient supplement for tiny plants and bacteria. This iron is released as these particles travel through the ocean, making them an important food source for life in the deep sea.
Researchers suggest Agulhas Current compensates for North Atlantic salinity decrease, stabilizing Gulf Stream and European climate. Computational models simulate ocean dynamics and signal transmission.
Researchers suggest Agulhas leakage could trigger strengthening of Atlantic overturning circulation, which would counteract effects of global climate change on North America and Europe. Increased Agulhas leakage over the past few decades may have triggered end of glacial cycles.
A global team of scientists suggests that Agulhas leakage could strengthen the Atlantic overturning circulation by enhancing deep water formation. This finding is significant as it counters predictions of weakening the circulation due to global warming.
A global survey by Duke University researchers has identified 2,149 barrier islands worldwide, significantly increasing the known total from 1,492 previously surveyed without satellite imagery. The new islands measure 20,783 kilometers in length and are found along all continents except Antarctica.
Researchers at University of Washington and Stanford University report turbulence at a front near Japan, 10-20 times more energetic than wind generated. This finding provides first direct observations of an ocean front's dynamics on scales from kilometers to millimeters.
Scientists at UC Santa Barbara are studying sea squirts to better understand the immune system's response to transplanted organs. By analyzing the sea squirt's cellular biology, researchers hope to find ways to 'tune' the body's immune response and prevent rejection of donated organs.
A new Duke University-led study reveals a 10.2% increase in leatherback sea turtle nests at 68 beaches in Florida since 1979, suggesting conservation and recovery efforts are paying off. The growth may be attributed to improved monitoring, reduced predators, and changing ocean conditions favoring turtles.
Researchers at Caltech found that warm ocean waters off the eastern coasts of these continents heat the air above it, forming atmospheric waves that draw in cold air from the northern polar region. This process explains why the northeastern United States and eastern Canada experience colder winters than similar latitudes in Europe.
Researchers from Wildlife Conservation Society and AMNH discover genetic distinct populations of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin formed by currents, surface temperature differences, and environmental barriers. The study sheds light on how environmental factors influence population structure in marine species.
Researchers have discovered a remarkable 525-million-year-old fossil of a 'feathered helmet from beyond the clouds,' offering insights into ancient biology and evolution. The find belongs to a group called pterobranch hemichordates, related to starfish and sea urchins.
Researchers discovered that migrating sea turtles rely on a combination of two magnetic parameters: inclination and intensity. By detecting these variations, the turtles can extract more information from the Earth's field than initially apparent.
MIT researchers discovered that ocean currents cause elongated microbes to filter light, affecting photosynthesis and phytoplankton growth rates. This phenomenon was previously overlooked in models of light propagation, but fluid flow can change things, influencing carbon fixation and remote sensing estimates.
A recent study reveals that coral reef networks across the Asia-Pacific region play a crucial role in preserving fish and marine resources. The research, led by Dr. Johnathan Kool, found that the Coral Triangle's diversity and resilience rely on connections between reefs in the South China Sea, West Pacific, and Solomon Islands.
A new international study reveals that warming North Atlantic Ocean water is likely tied to the amplification of global warming in the Arctic. Water temperatures in the Fram Strait, which runs between Greenland and Svalbard, have warmed by roughly 3.5 degrees Fahrenheit in the past century.
A study published in Nature Reviews: Microbiology examines the cellular mechanisms of microbial dormancy and its implications for ecosystems. Dormant microbes can have a significant impact on biodiversity, carbon emissions, and nutrient cycling, making them a key component of ecosystem resilience.
Researchers from the Virginia Institute of Marine Science deployed an underwater glider in the Ross Sea near Antarctica, collecting data on water temperature, salinity, and chlorophyll concentrations. The glider's continuous sampling allows for a better understanding of short-term physical changes and their impact on ocean biology.
New research suggests ocean circulation changes may have caused severe cold intervals in Europe, with the Atlantic ocean capable of radical changes on short timescales. The study found that deep water formation switched off and on repeatedly, leading to warming and cooling centuries at a time.
NASA's new satellite data confirms a strong La Niña event in the eastern Pacific, with record-breaking rainfall in Australia and significant impacts on global climate. The La Niña effect is being felt worldwide, influencing ocean currents and heat storage.
Researchers project a catastrophic climate collapse by 3000 due to unstoppable CO2 effects. Zero-emissions scenarios suggest the Northern Hemisphere will recover faster than the South.
A joint US-Swedish expedition will study the Amundsen Sea, one of Antarctica's least-explored bodies, to gauge climate change effects. The research aims to determine nutrient availability, phytoplankton blooms, and sea-ice coverage.
Deep sediment cores from the Bering Sea floor reveal an ice-free region with high biological productivity during the Pliocene Warm Period. The findings suggest that global temperatures were a few degrees higher than today and carbon dioxide levels comparable to current levels.
A 50-year study confirms an increase in jellyfish <i>Pelagia noctiluca</i> size and intensity due to warming winters and over-fishing. This proliferation affects fisheries, fish farming, and tourism with toxic effects from their tentacles.
Archaeologists propose that the Persian Gulf Oasis may have been home to humans for over 100,000 years, challenging current migration models. The region's fertile landscape and abundant resources would have supported early human settlements.
Researchers found that porous marine particles settle in stratified layers, releasing carbon dioxide through diffusion, affecting global carbon fluxes. This discovery could improve estimates of ocean carbon exports.
A new study measures the spatial expansion of global fisheries, revealing a nearly five-fold increase in catch from 1950 to 2005. The study's findings indicate that fisheries have expanded at an unsustainable rate, leaving no room for further expansion.
A research expedition is studying the movement of water in the Southern Ocean to understand the rate of horizontal and vertical mixing between different water layers. The study aims to quantify the rate of climate change by measuring the effects of ocean mixing on heat exchange, nutrient cycling, and atmospheric CO2 concentrations.
A 20,000-year-old reversal of the Atlantic Ocean's circulation occurred during an ice age, influenced by changes in salt balance and deep convection. The new study's findings offer valuable insights for calibrating ocean and climate models to predict future changes.
The new LRAUV, Tethys, combines the best of propeller-driven and glider designs, allowing for rapid travel and extended hovering periods. With its sophisticated power-saving software and fail-safe systems, Tethys has shown promising initial results in oceanographic research.
A study led by Dr. Stuart Painter identifies five distinct water masses controlling coccolithophore blooms off the southeast coast of South America, highlighting the region's complexity and productivity. The research cruise measured salinity, chemistry, and nutrient levels, confirming that specific conditions foster bloom formation.
The new IMOS ocean-observing array will use advanced technologies like autonomous floats, marine mammals with satellite tags, and underwater gliders to study the open ocean. This data will help scientists understand how the ocean's physical properties influence the marine ecosystem.
Scientists link El Nino Modoki to long-term changes in North Pacific Ocean currents, affecting fish stocks and ocean nutrient distributions. The North Pacific Gyre Oscillation (NPGO) is intensifying due to increasing frequency of El Nino Modoki.
A new study by Durham University suggests that enhanced oil recovery using carbon dioxide could unlock a North Sea oil bonanza worth £150 billion. This technology could secure UK energy supplies for the next 20 years, while being just about carbon neutral.
A team of researchers from Sea Education Association and institutions found high concentrations of plastic debris in the western North Atlantic, comparable to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. The study suggests that basic ocean physics explains why plastic accumulates in this region.
Researchers have reconstructed the Earth's climate belts between 460 and 445 million years ago, finding patterns that suggest ancient carbon dioxide levels were more modest than thought. The study reveals a 'modern-looking' pattern in ancient oceans, emphasizing the stability of the atmosphere and climate through deep time.
A new study found geochemical clues near Mauna Kea's summit that tell a story of ancient glacier formation, frequent storms in Hawaii, and the impact of distant climatic events. The research suggests that the growth of the Mauna Kea glacier was caused by both colder conditions and increased precipitation.
The Census of Marine Life has published an inventory of species distribution and diversity in 25 biologically representative regions around the world. Crustaceans comprise about one-fifth of all species found, with only two percent being vertebrates.
Researchers used computer simulations to study the possible spread of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Atlantic over a year. The study found that about 20% of the initial particles had been transported through the Straits of Florida and into the open Atlantic by October 2010.
Researchers are rethinking the ocean conveyor belt model due to its limitations in accounting for eddies and wind field. The overturning of ocean waters may vary between ocean basins and be influenced by climate change, highlighting the need for a revised understanding of this critical process.
A City College of New York study, supported by $260,415, aims to pinpoint the top 20 sites for hydrokinetic energy in New Jersey. The research, led by Dr. Hansong Tang and Roger Bason, will use computer modeling and field measurements to estimate tidal energy potential.
A team of researchers from the University of Miami and NOAA successfully located a 23-mile long oil plume off Florida's Treasure Coast, heading towards the Dry Tortugas. Using advanced models, satellite images, and shipboard observations, they identified the oil slick and its potential pathway.
Researchers compiled a comprehensive history of Arctic ice using sediment cores and proxy data, concluding that the current extent is at its lowest point for at least the last few thousand years. The study's findings suggest the volume of ice is shrinking much faster than its surface area, highlighting a troubling trend in climate change.
A new study published in PLoS ONE has mapped the spawning habitat of bluefin tuna in the Gulf of Mexico, revealing two major hotspot regions where bycatch occurs. These findings suggest that spatial management techniques can protect western Atlantic bluefin tuna on their breeding grounds without compromising the yellowfin tuna fishery.