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Close connectivity within the North Atlantic Current system identified

A long-term study compares data from two North Atlantic Current observation systems, revealing statistical connections and implications for regional temperature patterns. The findings suggest that a 25-year observational record provides a crucial foundation for future models of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC).

Data-driven regional ocean models essential for planning

Researchers developed a precise historical reconstruction of the Red Sea circulation using fine-grained regional data. The new analysis reveals new characteristics of current circulation, temperature, salinity, and oceanic behavior, improving decision-making for megadevelopments like those in Saudi Arabia.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalBulletin of the American Meteorological Society·DateOct 2, 2023

FAU Engineering study employs deep learning to explain extreme events

Researchers from FAU's College of Engineering and Computer Science employ a computer-vision deep learning technique to analyze wall-bounded turbulent flows. They successfully identify the sources of extreme events in a data-driven manner, providing new insights into non-linear relationships in fluid dynamics simulations.

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalPhysical Review Fluids·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 2, 2023

Ocean acidification makes ecologically important seaweed species fragile

A study found that ocean acidification reduced the strength and density of fleshy seaweed tissues, making them more fragile and susceptible to damage. The research suggests that this could have drastic effects on coastal ecosystems, leading to a decrease in seaweed coverage and negatively impacting organisms dependent on these habitats.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 25, 2023

Surveying public support for plans to combat nutrient depletion in a large inland sea

A recent study published in Ocean and Coastal Management found that the public perception of plans to combat oligotrophication in the Seto Inland Sea is more positive than expected. The survey revealed that respondents were unfamiliar with nutrient supply measures from factories and sewage treatment plants, but presented information si...

SourceRitsumeikan University·JournalOcean & Coastal Management·TypeSurvey·DateSep 13, 2023

KMOU researchers develop a novel algorithm for mitigating COVID-19 spread in ships

Researchers at National Korea Maritime and Ocean University developed a close contact identification algorithm that outperforms conventional clustering algorithms. The algorithm enables accurate tracking and physical isolation of individuals in ship environments, contributing to the health and safety of passengers.

SourceNational Korea Maritime and Ocean University·JournalJournal of King Saud University - Computer and Information Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 28, 2023

Winter storms over Labrador Sea influence Gulf Stream system

A recent study by GEOMAR researchers found that fluctuations in the Labrador Sea can significantly influence the strength of sinking processes east of Greenland. This phenomenon affects the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), a crucial climate system that brings warm water from the Gulf of Mexico to Europe.

SourceHelmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel (GEOMAR)·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 3, 2023

Gloomy climate calculation: Scientists predict a collapse of the Atlantic ocean current to happen mid-century

Researchers from the University of Copenhagen predict the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) will collapse between 2025 and 2095, with major consequences for Earth's climate. The study contradicts the latest IPCC report and highlights the importance of reducing global greenhouse gas emissions.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Faculty of Science·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 25, 2023

New study reveals abrupt shift in tropical Pacific climate during Little Ice Age

A recent study analyzed sediment cores from a Philippine lake, revealing a 200-year period of drought in the western Pacific during the Little Ice Age. The researchers attribute this change to zonal gradients in sea surface temperature, which highlights the importance of understanding past climate dynamics for predicting future climate...

SourceGFZ GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam, Helmholtz Centre·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 3, 2023

What controls the pathways of the Labrador Current?

Researchers from McGill University found that stronger winds shift the Labrador Current eastward, leading to sudden warmings or drops in oxygen levels. This has dire consequences for marine ecosystems and fisheries, including smaller species like cod and halibut, which struggle to survive in low-oxygen conditions.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 28, 2023

River diversions may cause microplastics to remain longer on land and in streams before reaching oceans

A new study reveals that diverting streams and rivers for irrigation can significantly extend the time microplastics spend in river catchments. Researchers found a strong link between urbanisation and microplastic concentrations, with microplastic loads increasing downstream of more urbanised areas.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalWater Research·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 5, 2023

Why Antarctic ice shelves are losing their mass and how it leads to global sea level rise

Researchers investigate the impact of oceanic warming on Antarctic ice shelves, highlighting the role of circumpolar deep water in causing melting and calving. The study emphasizes the need for improved understanding and modeling to predict future sea levels and their effects on coastal communities.

SourceOcean-Land-Atmosphere Research (OLAR)·JournalOcean-Land-Atmosphere Research·TypeLiterature review·DateMay 18, 2023

Study calls for action to explore potential impacts of decommissioned offshore structures

Researchers highlight the need for a coherent international framework for decommissioning offshore structures due to limited evidence on their environmental impact. The study emphasizes the critical need for consensus on future approaches as an estimated 1,800 offshore wind turbines will require decommissioning by 2030.

SourceUniversity of Plymouth·JournalTrends in Ecology & Evolution·TypeLiterature review·DateMay 9, 2023

Plastic can drift far away from its starting point as it sinks into the sea

Researchers used computer modeling to simulate the movement of lightweight plastic particles in the Mediterranean Sea. Their results suggest that these particles can drift up to 175 miles laterally from their point of origin before sinking. This discovery highlights the potential for long-distance interactions between plastic waste and...

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateMay 8, 2023

Converging ocean currents bring floating life and garbage together

A community science survey reveals an abundance of floating sea creatures in the North Pacific Garbage Patch, including jellyfish, snails, and crustaceans. The study found a positive correlation between plastic waste and three groups of sea creatures, highlighting the complex relationships within this ecosystem.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeObservational study·DateMay 4, 2023

Uneven Indian Ocean warming unlocked

A recent study reveals that uneven future warming in the Indian Ocean can cause shifts in monsoon precipitation, with potential impacts on societies and ecosystems. The research identifies key mechanisms driving these changes, including winds and ocean currents.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalNature Communications·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMar 31, 2023

UCLA-led study explains how one of Saturn’s moons ejects particles from oceans beneath its surface

A new UCLA-led study explains that tidal heating in Enceladus' rocky core creates currents that transport silica particles to the surface. The research suggests that these flows can pick up materials from the seafloor and bring them to the ice shell, providing evidence for hydrothermal activity at the ocean floor.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·DateFeb 23, 2023

Offshore and coastal risk analyses may misrepresent wave storms from extreme weather like bomb cyclones

Researchers found that global wave models can vary in their estimates of extreme wave heights by up to 20 feet, which can lead to underprotected areas during extreme events. The study emphasizes the need for considering multiple models and modern observational data to better assess offshore and coastal risks.

SourceUniversity of Central Florida·JournalScience Advances·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 11, 2023

Looking to sea urchins for stronger ceramic foams

A team of researchers, led by Ling Li from Virginia Tech, has discovered the key strategies behind the strength and toughness of sea urchin exoskeletons. The study reveals that a balance between branch connection nodes and pore size is critical to the material's damage tolerance.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 28, 2022

Scientists discover mechanism that can cause collapse of great Atlantic circulation system

Researchers found that subsurface warming in the North Atlantic precedes the release of massive icebergs from Canada and the US, leading to a reduction in surface salinity and AMOC collapse. This finding sheds light on the sequence of events responsible for the collapse of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation system.