Articles tagged with Ocean Currents
Researchers have discovered that small eddies, swirling at the edges of massive ocean currents, are a key source of nutrients for phytoplankton. These nutrient-rich eddies help maintain healthy populations of phytoplankton, which are essential for carbon sequestration and mitigating climate change effects.
A new field study reveals a previously unobserved fluid dynamic process that affects the ocean's deep-sea mining operations. Researchers equipped a pre-prototype collector vehicle with instruments to monitor its sediment plume disturbances, finding that the plumes remained relatively low and spread under their own weight.
University of Rochester researchers have quantified the energy of ocean currents larger than 1,000 kilometers using a coarse-graining technique. The most energetic current is the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, spanning 9,000 kilometers.
Researchers have created the first charts of Antarctic ocean temperatures over the past 45 million years using molecular fossils and machine learning. The study suggests that the planet is nearing a 'tipping point' where ocean warming caused by CO2 will lead to catastrophic sea level rises.
Scientists used centuries-old clam shells to study the North Atlantic's evolution and response to external changes. The findings indicate that the system destabilized and lost resilience prior to the Little Ice Age, potentially causing it to 'tip' into a new, colder state.
Researchers confirm that the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is approaching a tipping point, where its strength will inevitably weaken in the coming decades and centuries. This transition could have dramatic consequences on societies and ecosystems.
Physicists at Ural Federal University developed a mathematical model to predict El Niño's behavior, accounting for wind, humidity, temperature, and ocean currents. They found that stronger winds can cause unpredictable weather phenomena.
A paleoclimatologist discovered an ancient climate feedback loop that accelerated the effects of Earth's last warming episode. The Eemian warm episode, which occurred 128,000 to 125,000 years ago, saw oceans up to 1-1.5°C warmer than today, leading to a significant increase in methane hydrates and their release into the atmosphere.
A new study by researchers at University of California - Riverside found that the position of continents can have a devastating effect on deep ocean creatures. Continental movement can cause a sudden collapse in global water circulation, leading to a stark separation between oxygen levels in the upper and lower depths.
A new model suggests Antarctica's ice shelves are melting at an accelerated rate due to the Antarctic Coastal Current. Freshwater from melting ice can trap warm ocean water beneath the shelves, causing them to melt further. This mechanism could increase sea level rise predictions by up to 40%.
Research highlights the impact of historical development on US coastal zones' exposure to sea level rise and hurricanes. The study uses historical data to better understand how development contributes to increased vulnerability.
A new study reveals that subsurface ocean warming in the subpolar North Atlantic caused Heinrich Events, which led to ice sheet instability and disruption of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation. The warming facilitated melting of polar ice sheets from below, resulting in accelerated shedding of icebergs.
Researchers recover data from sensors swept away by massive underwater avalanche in Congo Canyon, providing new insights into sediment flow and seabed cable breakages. The study reveals the hazards of powerful turbidity currents and their impact on global communications.
A FAU Harbor Branch study demonstrates hydrology impacts through high-resolution simulation model. Increased freshwater discharge contributes to intensified shelf water mixing that favors surface intrusion of Loop Current waters.
A Tel Aviv University study reveals that corals' fluorescence serves as a lure for plankton, which are then consumed by predators like corals. The researchers found that green-fluorescent corals were 25% more preyed upon than yellow-fluorescent ones.
A CSU researcher has obtained photographic evidence of milky seas observed from both the Earth's surface and space at the same time. The observations were made possible by a private yacht's encounter with the rare phenomenon off the coast of Java, providing new insights into its formation.
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.
A large-scale study by Rutgers researcher Alan Robock and colleagues found that even small nuclear wars would rewire the physical, biological, and ecological states of oceans. The study simulated a U.S.-Russia war and several smaller India-Pakistan wars, calculating the effects of atmospheric soot on ocean functions.
Satellite-tracking of whale sharks in the Panamanian Pacific reveals their feeding and breeding patterns, with a focus on protecting these endangered species from human threats. The study highlights the importance of identifying and conserving large oceanic areas and marine corridors to safeguard their migration routes.
A research team led by Prof. Gan Jianping found a three-layered structure in the SCS rotating circulation with 'hotspots' of intensified currents along steep continental slopes. This discovery clarifies previous misunderstandings of water mass motion and demonstrates the first-ever 3D simulation and visualization system for ocean circu...
The International Bathymetric Chart of the Southern Ocean v2 provides the most detailed seafloor map of the region, with new data covering twice the area of its predecessor. This chart will help scientists better understand ocean currents and climate change.
Phytoplankton productivity in the Gulf of Maine has decreased by 65% over two decades, affecting marine ecosystems and fisheries. The study analyzed temperature, salinity, and chemical measurements from the Gulf of Maine North Atlantic Time Series to understand these changes.
Researchers at Cornell University have developed a new algorithm for autonomous underwater sonar imaging that significantly improves speed and accuracy for identifying objects such as explosive mines and sunken ships. The new approach, called informative multi-view planning, integrates information about object locations with sonar proc...
A team of University of Hawaii researchers found that the number of hours of darkness during the lunar cycle triggers mature Hawaiian box jellyfish to swim to shore to spawn. The study also revealed that jellies are likely to come from the lee of Diamond Head Crater, where they benefit from shelter and food.
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.
A Scripps Oceanography-led study predicts that climate change is making surface ocean currents faster and thinner, affecting global nutrient transport and carbon removal. This change can have a ripple effect on the ocean's ability to remove heat from the atmosphere.
Researchers developed global forecasts that can provide up to a year's notice of marine heatwaves, which can dramatically affect ocean ecosystems. The forecasts help fishing fleets, ocean managers, and coastal communities anticipate the effects of marine heatwaves, reducing ecological and economic impacts.
A new study has shown that increased levels of turbulence and mixing occurred every night in a coastal bay, similar to those caused by storms. The researchers attribute the signal to shoals of fish spawning anchovies, which mix water layers and impact temperature distribution, nutrients, and oxygen.
A new study provides evidence that long-term warming of the Amundsen Sea, a key contributor to global sea level rise, is linked to rising greenhouse gases. The research suggests that ocean temperatures in the region have been rising since before records began and are expected to continue if greenhouse gas emissions increase.
Research reveals that ozone levels in the upper and lower atmosphere are weakening one of Earth's main cooling mechanisms, making it a significant greenhouse gas. The study found that increased ozone in the lower atmosphere caused 60% of the overall ozone-induced warming seen in Southern Ocean waters.
A new study finds that flame-retardants and plasticizers are present in the oceans, harming marine organisms and potentially affecting human health. The substances, which are widely used in everyday products, can be transported from inland sources to coastal environments through air masses and ocean currents.
A study has shown that wind variations over the southern Red Sea are the main drivers of sea-level extremes, driving levels up and down depending on wind direction. This understanding is crucial for coastal planning and management to mitigate the impact of storm surges and coastal erosion.
The University of Plymouth is collaborating with Kongsberg Digital to develop a state-of-the-art simulator that will revolutionize the floating offshore wind sector. The new system will provide key insights into solutions increasing efficiency, safety, and cost effectiveness for industry professionals.
New research reveals how medieval East African farming societies altered their island habitat through intensive land use, impacting shoreline modification and community decline. The study examines the effects of urban growth, trade, and waste on coastal sediments, shedding light on early globalization and maritime trade networks.
A new study using K-Lander observatory technology reveals high variability in methane release from Arctic seabed sites, with implications for estimating global methane budgets. The long-term data series provides valuable insights into short-term and seasonal variations of methane emissions.
Scientists have found that the West Antarctic Ice Sheet formed 35 million years ago, with warm deep water delaying its expansion to the sea. This discovery helps improve forecasts of its future stability and ice retreat.
Over one quarter of Europe's 20 most highly-fished marine species will face extreme pressure by 2100 if no action is taken to address climate change, overfishing, and mercury pollution. The study projects a significant decline in population size for key species like great Atlantic scallop, red mullet, and common octopus.
A study led by Florida Atlantic University reveals a vast amount of microplastics in the entire water column of an offshore plastic accumulation zone, with small microplastics being critical and underexplored. The findings highlight the importance of understanding the impact of these tiny plastics on marine ecosystems.
Researchers found that glaciers in the Northern Hemisphere lost a total area of 390 km² per year, with 60% attributed to the Greenland Ice Sheet. Only 3% of glaciers advanced during this period. The study highlights the impact of climate change on marine-terminating glaciers.
The English Channel prevents many rockpool species from reaching the UK due to unfavorable ocean currents. This could lead to a decrease in intertidal wildlife richness in the UK as warmer-water species fail to replace threatened ones. As climate change causes sea temperatures to rise, this barrier may prevent species from adapting.
Marine heat waves in the Chesapeake Bay are projected to increase by half a year by 2100, causing devastating impacts on marine life and coastal economies. The study found a significant upward trend in frequency and intensity of marine heat waves within the Bay.
Researchers at Stanford University have demonstrated that measuring the physics of just a small portion of a coral reef can reveal insights about the entire reef system. This new approach provides low-cost methods for scaling up monitoring efforts, which are crucial for understanding the impact of climate change on these ecosystems.
Researchers estimate that 4.7 million cubic meters of large wood enter oceans annually, negatively impacting coastal and marine environments. The study aims to raise awareness about the consequences of interrupting this natural process.
Coastal organisms thrive on floating plastic debris in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre, expanding their biogeography. The discovery reveals that plastic pollution is providing a habitat for coastal species to survive and even thrive in the open ocean.
A team from Tsinghua University developed analysis models to simulate the diffusing process of radioactive water in oceans. The pollutants are expected to cover almost the entire Pacific Ocean within 3600 days, with a contamination center moving eastward along the 35°N latitude line.
Scientists have detected a significant acceleration of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC), the only ocean current that circumnavigates the planet. The study found that climate change is causing the ACC to speed up, with prevailing westerly winds energizing ocean eddies and facilitating property exchange between ocean basins.
A new study suggests that the tectonic opening of Southern Ocean seaways led to a sudden cooling event 34 million years ago, contributing to the formation of Antarctic ice sheets. High-resolution simulations showed that this event caused a dramatic drop in coastal temperatures and initiated the Earth's transition into an Icehouse world.
The Centre for Doctoral Training in Sustainable Management of UK Marine Resources (SuMMeR CDT) will train 50 interdisciplinary PhD students to sustainably manage the UK's coasts and seas. The program focuses on subjects ranging from marine sciences to law, health, education, and economics.
Researchers provide first direct measurement of overall impact of ocean eddy killing, finding a continuous loss of 50 gigawatts of kinetic energy. This phenomenon, known as 'eddy killing,' counterintuitively reduces the most energetic components of ocean currents.
A new study reveals human activities have drastically altered the ocean's biodiversity, with significant losses in larger species like whales and dolphins. Biomass estimates show a 60% reduction in large fish and marine mammals, outpacing even extreme climate change scenarios.
Researchers found that before the weakening of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, ice sheets in the Northern Hemisphere began to stick to their bedrock more effectively, causing glaciers to grow thicker and disrupt global heat conveyor belts. This led to stronger ice ages and the observed climate pattern shift.
New research suggests tidal stream power can provide 11% of the UK's current annual electricity demand, with potential environmental impact comparable to climate change. To achieve this, around 11.5 GW of tidal stream turbine capacity is required, with major grid infrastructure needed for development.
Exposure to artificial light at night impairs crickets' activity cycles, disrupting their nocturnal chirping and potentially affecting reproduction. The study, conducted by researchers at Tel Aviv University and the Open University, highlights the need to reduce artificial light pollution to protect environmental behaviors.
A new study suggests that waters off the French coast can be a deadly trap for small, foraging turtles in winter. Satellite tracking data reveals that younger individuals are at risk of being trapped in the region due to their inability to regulate body temperature and get lethargic with decreasing sea temperatures.
New research from the University of Arizona suggests that a slowdown in the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) will intensify extreme cold weather in the US. The study found that without the AMOC, extremely cold winter weather would become more frequent and severe.
A new study reconstructs Arctic sea ice levels and currents over 500 years using ancient driftwood, showing a distinct drop in tree arrivals since the 1990s. The research provides a unique look into past Arctic Ocean conditions, shedding light on the impact of climate change on this fragile ecosystem.
A new MIT study provides detailed information on the wave-damping benefits of marsh plants, enabling coastal restoration planners to determine the area needed for mitigation. The analysis incorporates plant morphology and interactions with currents and waves, providing a more quantitative way to estimate the value provided by marshes.
A study published in Advances in Atmospheric Sciences reviews research on sea-air interactions, revealing a complex relationship between ocean currents and atmospheric circulation. The review suggests that eddies and fronts can drive changes to both weather and climate, but more investigation is needed to fully understand their impact.
A new study warns that the Arctic Ocean's 'Last Ice Area,' a region where summer ice traditionally persists, may not survive the century. The study predicts that under high-emissions scenarios, summer ice will disappear by 2100, displacing creatures such as seals and polar bears.
A new study reconstructed the Kuroshio Current Extension's past behavior, finding it was sensitive to global climate change during the Pliocene era. The current's sensitivity to CO2 levels is a concern for its potential impact on ecosystems, weather patterns, and regional climates.