Articles tagged with Ocean Currents
A new computer model reveals accelerating biological changes in the global ocean, which can redistribute ocean communities and species worldwide. The model predicts these changes one year in advance, enabling identification of regions overlooked by current field observation programs.
Scientists have introduced a new efficient synthetic route for marine antitumor agents trabectedin and lurbinectedin. The synthesis consists of 26 individual steps and uses a light-controlled activation mechanism to produce the complex drugs in sufficient quantities.
Researchers at MIT have developed a process to convert concentrated brine from desalination into useful chemicals, including sodium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid. This can reduce costs and minimize environmental impact by reducing the need for costly pumping systems and minimizing marine ecosystem damage.
Tropical Cyclone Oma formed northwest of Vanuatu, with maximum sustained winds near 45 knots (52 mph/83 kph). The cyclone is forecast to strengthen slightly over the next two days before weakening, bringing damaging gale force winds and heavy rainfall.
A new study simulates the effects of melting ice sheets on ocean temperatures and circulation patterns, as well as air temperatures, by 2100. The research predicts significant disruptions to ocean currents and increased warming around the world.
A new study finds that variations in water temperature over long stretches of coastline lead to the emergence of new marine fish species without geographical isolation. This discovery sheds light on the early stages of species evolution in the ocean and has significant implications for managing threatened or exploited fish stocks.
A new international study reveals that cooling waters west of Europe primarily drive the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation, a deep-ocean process crucial for regulating Earth's climate. This finding challenges previous assumptions and highlights the importance of monitoring this circulation to predict future climate changes.
Chinese scientists have launched a rocketsonde from an unmanned semi-submersible vehicle, enabling accurate meteorological and oceanographic data collection over vast marine environments. The launch aims to improve numerical weather forecasts, typhoon tracking, and coastal zone monitoring.
A new international study reveals that the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation is primarily driven by cooling waters west of Europe, with significant implications for predicting future climate impacts. The study found that the overturning variability in this region was seven times greater than in the Labrador Sea.
New research shows climate change is shifting how the atmosphere and oceans move heat around the globe, with significant effects on global temperatures. The study found that warming temperatures are driving increased heat transfer in the atmosphere, while reducing it in the ocean.
A high-resolution ocean current model reveals significant connectivity between mangrove regions, including trans-Pacific dispersal via archipelagos. The study also highlights the importance of viable propagule time in determining effective dispersal distance.
Scientists and engineers will collaborate on a new Climate Modeling Alliance to advance climate modeling and prediction. The goal is a climate model that projects future changes more accurately, with uncertainties at least half the size of existing models.
A new study uses tagged seabirds to measure ocean currents and track tidal patterns. This non-invasive method could provide crucial data for the marine renewable energy industry, helping identify sites for tidal energy generation.
Researchers discovered that the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) sends messages to Antarctica, causing sudden changes in global climate conditions. The study found that a weakening AMOC could trigger abrupt climate shifts, affecting Asia's monsoons and carbon dioxide absorption.
Researchers documented two-part climatic connections between the North Atlantic Ocean and Antarctica, with rapid changes in climate caused by strengthening and weakening of an oceanic current that warms Greenland and Europe. The study reveals a fast atmospheric connection sending 'text messages' to Antarctica and a slower oceanic conne...
Researchers estimate the Chukchi Sea subpopulation is relatively abundant, numbering around 3,000 polar bears, with good reproductive rates and cub survival. This contrasts with the declining southern Beaufort Sea subpopulation due to sea-ice loss.
Researchers found that the Yangtze dams have reduced the distance of Chinese sturgeon migration by 1,175 kilometers, leading to delayed maturity and a decline in breeding activity. The environmental capacity of the spawning ground has also been reduced, contributing to the ongoing decline of the species.
The ocean floor is dissolving rapidly as a result of human activity, with calcite formation being neutralized by acidic CO2. Researchers predict that this process will intensify in the future, leading to long-lasting repercussions on marine ecosystems.
Researchers estimate anthropogenic CO2's impact on deep-sea sediments and calcite dissolution. Localized hot spots, particularly in the western North Atlantic, show significant human-induced changes in seafloor geological records.
The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) has developed ArcCI, a web-based repository that combines thousands of images taken along the years of the Arctic Ocean. This database allows researchers to extract detailed information on ice properties and conduct research in a digital modality.
A remarkable new species of bony fish has been described from 150-million-year-old limestone deposits in South Germany, featuring piranha-like teeth. The fossilized specimen's jaws revealed long, pointed teeth and triangular serrated cutting edges, suggesting a mouth equipped to slice flesh or fins.
Tropical Cyclone Luban continued to move through the Arabian Sea toward the coast of Oman, with a visible image provided by NOAA-20 satellite on October 10. The storm has maintained deep central convection and spiral bands wrapped tightly toward the center.
A new study reveals a significant increase in plastic waste reaching remote South Atlantic islands, with over 90% of beach debris being plastic. The researchers found high concentrations of plastic on beaches and up to 300 items per meter of shoreline, approaching levels seen in industrialized North Atlantic coasts.
Researchers found that turbidity currents in Monterey Canyon involve large-scale movements of the seafloor, contrary to previous conceptual models. The dense layer of water-saturated sediment moves rapidly over the bottom, remobilizing the upper few meters of the preexisting seafloor.
A recent study published in the Geological Society of America Bulletin suggests that the end-Permian mass extinction may have occurred in only 31,000 years, making it an instantaneous event by geological standards. The sudden extinction was likely caused by Siberian flood-basalt eruptions and local intensive explosive volcanism.
A new study links rapid deoxygenation in Canada's Gulf of St. Lawrence to large-scale climate change, specifically the shift of the Gulf Stream and Labrador Current. The research confirms that warmer water from the Gulf Stream is entering the St. Lawrence Seaway, causing oxygen levels to drop.
A new study used fossil cores from northeastern Italy to test a thought experiment on mass extinctions. The results showed that the fossil record can produce a misleading picture if not interpreted with care, suggesting smaller bursts of extinctions over a longer timeline rather than a single massive die-off.
Researchers found rapid changes in deep-sea fauna and biodiversity in the region during a global climate event known as the Younger Dryas. They also identified significant environmental overturn around 7,000 years ago due to mixing of different deep-sea waters.
A recent study explores how Sargassum's growth and movement along ocean currents affect its distribution patterns. The research reveals two key regions influencing the spread of Sargassum across the Atlantic, providing potential insights for predicting coastal inundations.
A recent study by Hokkaido University reveals that climate warming, ocean currents, and deforestation by invasive fish are driving the expansion of tropical corals into temperate zones in Japan. This shift is linked to increased grazing by herbivorous fish, leading to a decline in macroalgae populations.
Researchers at Wyss Institute create brain organ chip model, called BBB-Brain Chip system, to study the effects of drugs like methamphetamine on the brain and its blood vessels. The system, which includes linked chips with microfluidic channels, reacts like human brain tissue and shows how cells interact to regulate function.
Linda Gesenhues and Markus Höhnerbach receive fellowships for their work on finite element simulation of turbidity currents and portable optimizations of complex molecular dynamics codes. Their research has potential applications in geological phenomena, such as underwater volcanoes and earthquakes.
Researchers used data from robotic floats to find that open water near Antarctica releases more carbon dioxide than thought, contradicting previous studies. The study aims to improve our understanding of the Southern Ocean's role in regulating the global climate.
Tropical Storm Hector has weakened and moved into the Northwestern Pacific Ocean, with fragmented thunderstorms detected. The storm is currently moving west-northwest near 17 mph, with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph.
Researchers have identified a pheromone, a fatty acid derivative, that guides larval and adult sea lampreys to spawning grounds. The discovery holds potential for disrupting adult sea lampreys' reproduction, offering a new approach to controlling the invasive species.
Researchers discover pyrosomes, known as 'sea pickles,' are thriving in colder waters off the Oregon coast, potentially disrupting regional fishing operations and food webs. The invasive species may be capitalizing on nutrient-poor conditions to feed on plankton, leading to systemic changes in the ecosystem.
The Atlantic Ocean circulation is slowing down due to natural fluctuations, but this slowdown will lead to more rapid surface warming in coming decades. The study suggests that the current's speed determines how much surface heat gets transferred to the deeper ocean, and a quicker circulation would send more heat to the deep Atlantic.
A recent study reveals that a massive influx of freshwater into the North Atlantic led to intensive glacier melting in the North Pacific, thousands of kilometers away. This process highlights the alarming consequences of modern ocean warming on polar ice sheets and sea level rise.
Marine species in the eastern Bering Sea are trailing behind climate change, potentially increasing their vulnerability to future fluctuations. The study highlights the importance of incorporating species-specific sensitivity to climate variation when predicting rates of range shifts.
The Global Precipitation Measurement mission gathered important rainfall data on Hurricane Beryl's remnants as it passed through the Windward Islands and Puerto Rico. Strong convective storms were dropping rain at rates of over 75 mm per hour, with intense storms measured in a small area along Puerto Rico's southeastern coast.
Tropical Cyclone Prapiroon strengthened into a Typhoon after being tracked by NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite. The storm is currently located near Japan, moving north-northeast at 10.3 mph with maximum sustained winds of 86.3 mph.
Researchers have discovered ancient Moroccan dental remains that shed light on the history of long-lost African fauna, including embrithopods. The fossilized teeth belong to two new species in the genus Stylolophus and provide evidence for the early evolution of these mammals.
Scientists have developed a new mapping technique to identify areas where ocean fronts and eddies bring together masses of fish, fishermen, and predators, increasing the risk of entangling non-target species. This insight can help inform dynamic ocean management and reduce bycatch of protected species.
Scientists found that the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) was smaller than it is today at some point between 14,500 and 9,000 years ago, but did not collapse. The loss of ice triggered uplift in the sea floor, leading to regrowth of the ice sheet.
A team from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution has studied the Ayeyawady River delta's history, showing how its floodplains and shorelines have grown and shrunk over the past 10,000 years. The study reveals that shifts in monsoon climate have changed the shape of the delta.
Previous ocean model calculations underestimated recent oxygen decline, with global warming as the main cause. The study identifies additional drivers, including changes in ocean circulation and biogeochemical processes, which were insufficiently represented in models.
A new study by National Geographic Society researchers found that 54% of high seas fishing industry is unprofitable at current scale without large government subsidies. The global cost of fishing in high seas ranged between $6.2 billion and $8 billion USD, with profits ranging from a loss of $364 million to a profit of $1.4 billion USD.
Researchers have developed an algorithm inspired by dolphin echolocation, which can disentangle overlapping signals and provide more precise information on object shape. This breakthrough technology could improve medical ultrasound imaging and measure organ membrane thickness, among other applications.
A landmark international study found the Great Barrier Reef is more resilient to sea-level rise and temperature changes than thought, but highly sensitive to sediment input and poor water quality. The reef's ability to survive is uncertain due to current stresses and projected future changes.
Scientists have linked ocean currents to the spread of invasive jellyfish Mnemiopsis leidyi in European waters. The study, which collected over 12,000 data points, shows that these species can travel up to 2000 kilometers within three months.
Researchers at MIT have developed a fleet of autonomous boats that can ferry goods and people, reducing street traffic. The boats can also be printed using 3D technology and equipped with sensors to monitor water quality, providing insights into urban health.
Researchers at FAU have discovered that marine animals have been migrating for millions of years in response to changes in temperature. Coral, molluscs, and sponges have followed their preferred cold and warm zones for half a billion years, with isotherms shifting towards the poles or equator as temperatures rise or fall.
Researchers discovered two metabolites produced by a Red Sea fungus that look promising as potential anti-seizure drugs. These compounds, pseurotin A2 and azaspirofuran A, reduced the number and length of seizures in zebrafish and mouse models of epilepsy.
Research from Hokkaido University reveals that low rises on the ocean floor regulate surface flows, creating sharp SST fronts with significant impacts on climate and marine resources. The study found that Rossby wave propagation is deflected by eddy-driven flows over bottom rises, leading to thickness jumps and jet formation.
A thin smart patch called Marine Skin can track an animal's movement and diving behavior in real-time, while also monitoring the health of the surrounding marine environment. The patch uses stretchable silicone elastomers to withstand high pressures and can be attached to a wide range of sea creatures.
Populations of freshwater dolphins in the Amazon basin are declining rapidly, with both boto and tucuxi species facing severe decline rates. The study reveals that these species would be classified as Critically Endangered under IUCN Red List criteria if current trends continue.
A team of researchers analyzed effective population size measures to reveal crucial considerations for recovering the southern sea otter population. The findings highlight the importance of accurate estimates to ensure species recovery.
A study published in ZooKeys reveals that a population of guppies was introduced to an oceanic archipelago in Brazil through human activity. The researchers suggest that the species was likely brought to the island as part of an effort to control mosquito populations, but cannot rule out natural dispersal as a possibility.
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions would significantly reduce sea level rise globally by the end of the century, especially for coastal cities on the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Cities like New York, Boston, London, and others would see substantial benefits from emission reductions.
Ocean conditions off the US West Coast are returning to average after a marine heat wave, but salmon catches remain depressed. Feeding conditions have improved for sea lions and seabirds, while plankton species have shifted back towards fat-rich, cool-water species beneficial for fish growth.