Articles tagged with Ocean Currents
Researchers are developing a forecasting technique to predict sea nettle concentrations in Chesapeake Bay using real-time monitoring of environmental factors. The goal is to mitigate the economic impact of sea nettles, which affect tourism and the food web by devouring fish eggs and larvae.
Great Lakes rip currents can be deadly, but knowing how to identify them and escape is crucial. Longshore currents flow along the shoreline, while rip currents flow perpendicular to it; always swim perpendicular to the current. Cold water multiplies danger, so take necessary precautions when swimming in cold water.
Researchers are enhancing genetically altered algae to maximize its ability to pick up trace metals in Lake Erie, a potential game-changer for Great Lakes bio-remediation. Meanwhile, efforts to eradicate invasive Spartina anglica in Puget Sound aim to support native birds and the seafood industry.
The University of Rhode Island Oceanographers have been awarded a grant to develop a new RAFOS float, which will improve the measurement of ocean currents. The new float will be constructed at GSO's Narragansett Bay Campus and will meet the needs of other RAFOS float users while keeping production costs low.
Researchers discovered that baby sea turtles can detect regional magnetic fields and respond with directed movements to stay on course. The turtles' navigational system allows them to migrate across the 8,000-mile Atlantic Ocean and back using the Earth's magnetic field as a guide.
Walter Munk, a leading figure in physical oceanography, is being honored with the inaugural Prince Albert I Medal for his decades-long research on ocean currents, tides, and climate change. His work has significantly improved our understanding of the oceans and their impact on global warming.
A recent study finds that decades-long declines in marine life populations are linked to centuries-old overfishing practices. Overfishing has caused significant ecological damage, including the loss of underwater kelp forests and seagrass beds, which have cascading effects on entire ecosystems.
A two-year study of human impacts on oceans over time reveals that overfishing was the primary driver of ecosystem collapse in each case examined. Historical overkill of marine life triggered changes in ecosystem structure and function, leading to toxic algal blooms, dead zones, and outbreaks of diseases.
A new sea current has been discovered off the African coast, with high speeds of up to a metre per second. The current is driven by the mixture of cold polar water and extremely saline water from the Red Sea and Persian Gulf.
The Texas General Land Office and Texas A extM University are loaning the Navy two state-of-the-art buoys to monitor ocean currents and temperatures during the Ehime Maru salvage effort in the Pacific Ocean. The buoys will provide real-time data to support decision-making on how work should progress.
The Oceanography Society honors John Knauss, former dean of the University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography, for his groundbreaking work on fellowship programs and oceanographic education. The journal issue features articles on topics that interest Knauss, including the Law of the Sea and current research in the Pacific.
Researchers have solved a long-standing volcanic mystery by finding a tear in the Pacific Plate, leading to the melting of cold slab material and altering its chemical makeup. This discovery sheds new light on the formation of adakites, a type of lava found in various parts of the globe.
Joseph L. Reid, a renowned physical oceanographer, is being honored with the Maurice Ewing Medal for his significant contributions to understanding ocean circulation and currents in the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian oceans. His work has also focused on current exchanges between major oceans.
Researchers aim to understand how sonar affects marine creatures by creating a sea sound simulator. The ESME project will analyze data from various organizations and develop mathematical models to predict environmental effects of different sonar types.
Urban sprawl is expected to expand by 46% in coastal metropolitan regions by 2025, consuming 5.8 million acres of land, according to a study. The growth is driven by population increase and advances in transportation technology, which has allowed people to demand semi-rural locations with reasonable commute times.
Researchers propose a multi-million dollar observing system to identify climate signals in the Indian Ocean, potentially predicting regional rainfall months in advance. The network could help sustain crop development and influence winter rainfall across southern Australia.
Harbor Branch researchers have isolated compounds from an Indian Ocean sponge that show promise as a new treatment for fungal infections, including those affecting AIDS patients. The discovery of unique cyclic peroxy acids may provide a more effective alternative to existing antifungal agents.
A NASA scientist has solved the century-old mystery of the Chandler wobble, attributing it to fluctuating ocean pressure changes. The study found that two-thirds of the wobble is caused by these changes, while one-third is attributed to atmospheric fluctuations.
A recent analysis of a 1.2 billion-year-old Martian meteorite has shown the presence of water-soluble ions that resemble those found in Earth's oceans. The study suggests that ancient Martian oceans had a chemical composition similar to Earth's, with elements like sodium and chloride present in high concentrations.
Researchers have found no evidence of gradual dinosaur extinction but rather a catastrophic event. Scientists also explore the formation of the Hawaiian volcanic Island of Hilo Ridge, which challenges previous theories on its origin.
Researchers studied ancient sediment samples to understand Antarctica's past environmental changes and their impact on global climate. The findings suggest a complex relationship between ocean circulation patterns and ice sheet stability, contradicting previous desert-like conditions in the region.
The American Geophysical Union's 2000 Spring Meeting will feature a wide range of scientific sessions and press conferences on cutting-edge research. The conference will be held May 30 to June 3 at the Washington Convention Center, with special focus on interdisciplinary collaboration.
Researchers confirm hazard posed by intraslab earthquakes in Pacific Northwest, which can cause significant damage and loss of life. A magnitude 7-7.5 intraslab earthquake could strike the region, posing a greater risk than larger offshore earthquakes.
Researchers use satellite altimetry to analyze warm ocean features and predict hurricane intensification, helping forecasters identify areas most at risk from storm surges. A study found that hurricanes crossing warm eddies intensified their winds by up to 70mph in just nine hours.
Researchers from Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute and Stanford University conducted experiments on liquid CO2 disposal in the deep ocean. The results show that liquid CO2 can react with seawater to form clathrate hydrate, expanding in volume and causing it to rise towards the surface.
Scientists are utilizing satellite remote sensing and mathematical modeling to predict and track climate variability and change related to infectious disease outbreaks. Improved forecasting models can help implement proactive programs to prevent or minimize weather-related health problems.
The Florida Regional Competition of the National Ocean Sciences Bowl will be held in Fort Pierce, with 25 teams competing for scholarships and awards. The competition aims to broaden awareness and understanding of ocean research among high school students.
Researchers are searching for evidence that can support or refute the hypothesis that Uintacrinus could have floated, a staggering feat considering its size. Geologists Meyer and Milsom have found new fossil material in Kansas and Colorado, which will help them understand how crinoids were preserved and potentially answer this question.
The Europa Orbiter mission aims to find evidence of a liquid ocean on the moon, which could support life. If confirmed, Europa and Earth would be the only two worlds in the solar system with liquid water.
Despite high levels of mercury found in the Seychelles, a nine-year study found that frequent consumption of commercially sold fish carries no ill effects from low levels of mercury. The study suggests that current regulations in the US are sufficient to safeguard frequent fish eaters against mercury exposure.
Researchers aim to prove robotic planes can operate autonomously over the Atlantic Ocean, improving weather forecasting. The autonomous aircraft will gather meteorological data for improved forecast accuracy and potentially detect severe weather.
Phytoplankton, tiny marine plants and bacteria, have evolved to stabilize the Earth's atmosphere by regulating atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. They convert sunlight into oxygen and sequester carbon deep in the ocean, influencing climate regulation.
The Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution is building a $1.5 million ocean sciences museum with a self-guided format, featuring interactive exhibits and displays on marine research, education, engineering, and ocean operations. The museum will open in late 1998.
A University of Colorado at Boulder study reveals a significant decrease in glacier area and volume worldwide, especially at mid- and low-latitudes. Glaciers such as those in Africa's Mount Kenya have lost up to 92% of their mass and many glaciers in Europe and New Zealand have shrunk significantly.
Geologist Professor Joseph Smyth discovered wadsleyite can contain solid water bound in crystals at extreme pressures. The earth's interior may store large amounts of water in the form of wadsleyite, which could regulate surface water levels. Laboratory tests are underway to determine the amount of water in wadsleyite.
A sudden 200-year cold event about 8,200 years ago could provide insights into rapid climate change. The 8k event, as it's called, saw temperatures drop by 11 degrees Fahrenheit in the North Atlantic region.
A Columbia University scientist warns that global warming could cause the abrupt collapse of ocean currents, sending European temperatures plummeting by 20 degrees Fahrenheit within 10 years. This could lead to a drastic change in climate, with devastating consequences.
A new study found significant climatic change in the Arctic without human influence, contradicting previous assumptions. The research, led by Dr. Marianne Douglas, analyzed diatom assemblages in lake and pond sediments, revealing warming trends that began in the 1840s and ended the Little Ice Age.
Researchers found evidence of regular climate shifts, including sudden cold snaps and warming periods, in ocean sediment cores from the North Atlantic. The 1,500-year cycle, which occurred every 1,470 years, may be the pacemaker of rapid climate change.
A new MIT study suggests that a rapid reduction in global ocean circulation 118,000 years ago may have thrown the climate system back into an ice age. The finding has important implications for understanding the potential impact of increased greenhouse forcing on the oceans.
Researchers use strontium isotopes to identify salmon stream origins, allowing for unprecedented accuracy in tracking adult salmon. The technique has promise for restoring salmon populations and studying their migrations.
A new study suggests that current methods for measuring nitrogen uptake in oceans are too low, resulting in an estimated 30% underestimation. The finding indicates that newly produced nitrogen may remain suspended as dissolved organic nitrogen, rather than sinking to the ocean floor.
A field program, FASTEX, investigates connections between coast-to-coast winter storms and Atlantic Ocean storms to enhance forecasting for both Europe and North America. The project aims to identify precursors that trigger cyclones, enabling better forecasts up to two or three days in advance.
Scientists from 11 countries investigate powerful winter storms in the North Atlantic to better forecast their impact on western Europe and the US West Coast. By studying precursors and cyclones, FASTEX aims to enhance computerized forecasts.
Geologists have discovered that the Ontong Java Plateau, a 40km-thick oceanic feature, formed from eruptions over just three million years, defying current geologic theories. The rocks' unique geochemical characteristics suggest they were created in high-pressure environments, with pressures potentially exceeding eight kilobars.
The monsoon's peculiar ocean currents increase nutrients, boosting plankton productivity. This boost converts carbon dioxide to organic forms, storing it in deeper layers and reducing atmospheric CO2 levels.
Researchers studying ancient oceans using supercomputer-based models found that changing surface waterways can affect ocean circulation patterns. The study suggests that alterations in freshwater runoff may lead to changes in deep water formation sites, which could impact carbon dioxide concentrations and the environment.
Marine geologists find detailed marine record of late Pleistocene era fires on land, shedding light on natural burning's impact on climate and ecosystems. The study reveals charcoal from fires on land was transported to ocean sediments via winds and rivers.