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Sediment cores from ocean floor could contain 23-million-year-old climate change clues

Researchers from Texas A&M University have discovered past methane release in the Southern Ocean during a peak glaciation 23 million years ago. This finding suggests that ancient methane gas hydrates could contribute to ocean acidification and low oxygen levels, similar to recent environmental issues in the Gulf of Mexico.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalNature Geoscience·TypeNews article·DateFeb 17, 2022

Volcanism drove rapid ocean deoxygenation during the time of the dinosaurs

Research from UBC and HKU Earth scientists reveals that massive volcanism played a key role in triggering oceanic anoxia, with CO2-induced environmental warming creating 'dead zones' over short timescales. The findings provide important insights into the sensitivity of the Earth system to global biogeochemical cycles and marine biology.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalGeology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 23, 2021

Atmospheric acidity impacts oceanic ecology

New research reveals that increased atmospheric acidity is disrupting the ecological balance of oceans by altering nutrient transport and productivity. The study found that atmospheric acidity affects the quantity and distribution of nutrients delivered to the ocean, leading to a direct fertilizing effect on marine phytoplankton.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 7, 2021

Mystery solved: Ocean acidity in the last mass extinction

A Yale University study reveals that the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event was triggered by a sharp drop in ocean acidity, leading to the demise of marine calcifiers and a 50% decline in species productivity. The research provides new insights into the recovery of marine life after the event.

SourceYale University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 21, 2019

How marine snow cools the planet

Scientists at the University of Sydney have modelled how marine snow absorbs carbon dioxide over millennia, keeping the planet cool. The study found that carbonate accumulation in deep-sea sediments has increased significantly over time, with a net increase in total volume of carbonate sediments in the oceans.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalGeology·DateMar 13, 2019

Wind holds key to climate change turnaround

Scientists have discovered that westerly winds strengthen ocean acidification in Southern Ocean, which is critical for predicting its impact on marine life. The study sheds light on the mechanisms driving this process and provides insights into improving prediction models.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 9, 2018

Big changes in the Sargasso Sea

Researchers found that animal communities in Sargassum rafts were significantly less diverse than those observed in the 1970s, with 13 species missing from recent samples. The study suggests that long-term shifts in ocean conditions may be contributing to the decline, but further research is needed to confirm this.

SourceMonterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute·JournalMarine Biology·DateSep 23, 2014

Can coral save our oceans?

Soft coral tissue has been found to protect reef skeletons from declining pH levels, potentially providing a new approach to preserving coral reefs. The study, published in PLOS One, highlights the resilience of soft corals and their potential role in maintaining the health of coral reefs.

Cracking how life arose on earth may help clarify where else it might exist

A novel theory, proposed by Michael Russell and colleagues, suggests that life arose from geochemical processes, including serpentinization, which produced essential components for life. This theory could provide insights into the origins of life and potentially shed light on its existence elsewhere in the universe.

SourceCarl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (B )·DateJul 30, 2013