Articles tagged with Oceanography
Researchers detected microplastic particles in the breath of wild bottlenose dolphins, suggesting inhalation may be a key route of exposure. The study supports the idea that dolphins could be exposed to potentially harmful microplastics through this pathway.
A recent study discovered microscopic mucus tails on marine snow particles, which significantly alter estimates of carbon sequestration in the deep sea. These 'tails' slow particle descent into the upper ocean layers, doubling their residence time and impacting carbon transfer and storage.
The UK is investing £170 million in new research and innovation projects to support clean living, tackle climate change, and boost economic growth. The projects will focus on land use transformation, sustainable agriculture, and environmental monitoring.
Scientists discovered ancient stromatoporoids survived the Late Devonian extinction and continued to thrive as major reef-builders during the Carboniferous Period. The findings shed light on the resilience and adaptability of marine ecosystems.
Researchers discovered high levels of siderophores in the ocean's twilight zone, where iron is deficient, affecting the biological carbon pump and nutrient cycles. This study contributes to understanding climate change impacts on the ocean's ability to absorb carbon.
Researchers have discovered microplastics in all three parts of coral anatomy, including surface mucus, tissue, and skeleton. This finding may explain the 'missing plastic problem' and suggests that corals could be sequestering plastic waste from the ocean.
Researchers used realistic numerical models to solve mysteries about Earth vibrations of unknown origin and discovered a 'seiche' phenomenon caused by a massive rockslide in the fjord. The event generated seismic waves detectable globally for nine days, highlighting the interrelations between climate change and geological processes.
A massive rockslide in East Greenland triggered a towering tsunami and a rare global seismic signal that resonated for nine days. The study reveals how climate change-induced events like glacial thinning can lead to significant geophysical phenomena with widespread impacts.
Researchers have analyzed over 43,200 ocean microbial genomes, uncovering a wide range of diversity and new insights into immune system adaptations. The study provides new enzymes that can break down common plastics and antimicrobials to combat antibiotic resistance.
A team of researchers discovered that a 'tag-team' between the oceans and continents led to severe environmental crises, causing mass extinctions of marine species. The study found that chemical weathering pulses disrupted the oceans, leading to anoxic events that had profound impacts on marine ecosystems.
New research finds women make up 50% of post-harvest fisheries and aquaculture workforce, yet often remain invisible, unpaid or underpaid. The study calls for policy changes to address social justice dimensions of technology development.
Researchers at Boston University discovered that deep-sea rocks, called polymetallic nodules, produce oxygen through a process known as seawater electrolysis. This phenomenon creates 'dark oxygen' without sunlight, contradicting the long-held assumption that oxygen is only produced by plants and organisms with photosynthetic capabilities.
A new study led by Dartmouth researchers questions the rapid polar ice collapse model used in the IPCC's sixth assessment report. The team found that the expected rate of retreat is significantly lower than predicted, making the worst-case scenario less likely, but still dire due to ongoing ice loss from Greenland and Antarctica.
A research team from the University of Göttingen has developed a new method to analyze the oxygen isotope composition of coral skeletons, allowing for more accurate temperature reconstructions and insights into biomineralization processes. This breakthrough enables scientists to correct for 'vital effects' that can distort climate data.
A research team deployed an unmanned submersible to map the underside of a floating ice shelf in Antarctica, revealing high melt rates and unique patterns. The findings raise questions about current models for predicting sea level rise.
The UT Austin expedition aims to investigate how sediments control glacial melt and the future of the Greenland ice sheet. A robotic submersible will gather measurements of the glaciers' underwater walls and sediment-laden meltwater, while surveys and sediment cores will reveal past climate change impacts.
Researchers have found that the Southern Ocean absorbs 25% more carbon dioxide than previously estimated. The new study used direct measurements to assess existing flux products in the Southern Ocean.
Research shows that methane fluxes in the North Sea vary with tidal pressure, with emissions potentially three times higher or lower depending on the tide. This affects climate science's understanding of methane emission from the seafloor.
Weaker ocean circulation may lead to increased carbon dioxide buildup in the atmosphere due to a previously uncharacterized feedback loop involving iron, upwelling nutrients, and ligands. The study challenges current thinking on the ocean's role in storing carbon.
A new study reveals the Jøtul hydrothermal field in the Arctic Ocean, which is rich in minerals and metals. The discovery of high concentrations of methane indicates a significant interaction with magma, contributing to ocean acidification and climate change.
For the first time, researchers measured cold, deep water upwelling along a submarine canyon slope using fluorescent dye. The pace of upwelling was more than 10,000 times the global average rate predicted by Walter Munk in the 1960s.
A 45-year-old drill core extracted from the Pacific Ocean has revealed a strong relationship between past atmospheric CO2 levels and temperature. The study found that CO2 concentrations dropped by 650 parts per million over the past 15 million years, suggesting a potential impact on global temperatures.
A new study found that magnesium levels in sandhoppers increase during cold weather, slowing their activity. In deeper sleep, magnesium levels can more than double, putting the sandhopper into a torpid state and allowing it to conserve energy.
Nitrous-oxide emissions have increased by 40% over the past four decades, resulting in accelerating atmospheric accumulation of this potent greenhouse gas. Agricultural production is the largest source of emissions, and improving practices can help reduce nitrous-oxide emissions and water pollution.
A recent study improves earthquake and tsunami hazard assessment by revealing the Cascadia Subduction Zone's complex geometry. The zone is divided into four segments, each potentially insulated against movements, and has a megathrust fault that can trigger massive earthquakes and tsunamis.
Scientists from the University of East Anglia and other institutions review the climatic effectiveness of four 'nature-based' techniques using marine biological processes. They conclude that these activities cannot provide a significant contribution to carbon dioxide removal, posing risks to meaningful climate mitigation.
Dariusz Stramski has made significant impacts on ocean optics with his research spanning radiative transfer and innovative technologies. His work has explored interactions of light with marine particles and has developed novel reductionist concepts to advance inverse optical models.
A UCF researcher is developing algorithms to track space objects and predict their orbits, which will also aid in maritime domain awareness. The computational framework will enable spacecraft to operate autonomously without intervention from Earth.
Researchers have identified heavily used shipping lanes that pass through crucial whale shark feeding grounds, posing a threat to this endangered species. Targeted measures, such as reducing ship speed, could help minimize the impact on the shipping industry while protecting whale sharks.
A study by University of Hawaii researchers suggests that revitalizing Indigenous aquaculture systems, known as loko iʻa fishponds, can increase locally available seafood production. This revival has the potential to boost local food production and provide a sustainable solution to Hawaiʻi's seafood supply.
A new study found that human-induced environmental changes around Antarctica are contributing to sea level rise in the North Atlantic. The research team analyzed two decades of oceanographic data and found a 12% weakening of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation deep water limb.
A new study by Heriot-Watt University found that large groups of spectator boats can create loud and sustained noise impacting marine mammals, fishes, and invertebrates. The research suggests event organizers should limit the potential impacts of underwater noise from motorized vessels.
New research by Bangor University reveals that summer storms help maintain healthy oxygen levels in deep waters around the UK. The study shows that oxygen mixing can slow the development of a summer oxygen deficit, improving ocean health.
The Global Ocean Artificial Light at Night Network aims to expand on previous research, providing a central resource for marine light pollution expertise. Light pollution poses significant ecological harm, including disruptions to daily rhythms and reproductive cycles of marine species.
Scientists developed a reliable proxy to reconstruct ancient marine oxygen levels, revealing a significant rise during the Late Paleozoic era. This finding suggests early animals evolved in oxygen-poor oceans, providing critical context for studying exoplanet atmospheres.
A UMass Amherst-led team developed biofilm-resistant glass using UV radiation, which prevents biofilm formation on surfaces in underwater environments. The technology can be used for various applications, including disinfection of transparent surfaces like windows and camera lenses.
A new study reveals the Antarctic Circumpolar Current's speedup is linked to Earth's temperature, slowing down during cold times and speeding up in warm ones. This suggests that today's speedup will continue as human-induced warming proceeds, potentially leading to ice loss and sea-level rise.
Research reveals changes in Hawaiian coral reef soundscapes tied to lunar cycles, indicating potential impacts on marine life. The study explores moonlight-driven biological choruses and their effects on reef ecosystems.
Researchers used computer simulations to demonstrate that a subduction zone originating in the Western Mediterranean will propagate into the Atlantic under the Strait of Gibraltar. This will create a new Atlantic subduction zone, which will then move down into the Earth's mantle.
Salps are found to control microbial community structure and function by capturing a variety of microbe types, including Prochlorococcus. The study reveals that simple mechanical principles do not explain cell capture by salps, indicating a complex mechanism at play.
Researchers have discovered distinct characteristics of the lower mantle flow field beneath the Philippine Sea Plate. They found that ancient N-S fast velocity directions exist at depths of 700-900 km and are not related to slab subduction or a mantle plume.
Hilary Palevsky's research focuses on marine biogeochemistry, and her NSF CAREER Award will support the creation of educational videos to guide students using remote ocean monitoring data. She aims to clarify the mechanisms behind the ocean's biological pump, which plays a crucial role in removing anthropogenic carbon from active cycling.
Researchers used a cruise ship to conduct marine science in Antarctica, highlighting an eco-friendly alternative to traditional research methods. The collaboration increased efficiency and reduced costs, allowing for more comprehensive studies of the Antarctic Ocean.
Researchers observed an individual orca, nicknamed Starboard, killing a 2.5-meter juvenile great white shark within two minutes. The study challenges conventional cooperative hunting behaviors among killer whales, providing new insights into their predatory dynamics and potential impact on marine ecosystems.
Scientists have observed the fastest-known large-scale breakage along an Antarctic ice shelf, demonstrating a 6.5-mile crack that formed in about 5.5 minutes at a speed of 80 mph. This finding reveals the physics behind ice sheet collapse and provides insights into potential calving events.
Researchers provided first detailed estimates of sediment supply to coral reef islands, crucial for understanding climate change impacts. They found that around 0.1m³ (100kg) of sediment is delivered to islands per year, helping islands withstand rising seas.
Research suggests polar climates are adjusting to a warming climate with changes in regional climate dynamics. Altered ocean-sea ice interactions may be driving recent fluctuations in sea ice extent, according to new studies.
Researchers have discovered large undersea faults on the Pacific Ocean floor that are pulling the Pacific Plate apart. The newly found faults, some thousands of meters deep and hundreds of kilometers long, are weakening the plate due to immense forces within it.
Researchers found that oxygen availability increased in shallow subsurface waters despite global warming during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum. This increase was consistent with predictions from ocean circulation models, which suggest a compensation effect may help explain moderate levels of extinction observed during this period.
Research reveals that bleaching reefs release organic compounds that promote bacterial growth, leading to an increase in opportunistic bacteria and potential pathogens. This shift in microbial communities may harm corals through suffocation or disease.
Research by Dr. Armineh Barkhordarian finds that Arctic marine heatwaves will become a regular occurrence, with average temperatures rising 2.2 degrees Celsius above seasonal norms. The study suggests that annual heatwaves will be the norm, with significant negative impacts on the ecosystem.
Researchers reconstructed temperature and precipitation patterns for 200 BC to 600 AD, finding a link between climate change and three major pandemics. The study used high-resolution regional climate records and glass particle analyses to confirm the causal relationship.
Researchers at the University of São Paulo found evidence of a tropical island with rich mineral deposits, including cobalt and nickel, in the South Atlantic Ocean. The team's analysis of seafloor sediment samples suggests the area was once home to vegetation and had volcanic activity between 30-40 million years ago.
Sea otter recovery has buffered century-scale declines in California kelp forests, according to a new study. The research suggests that sea otters may be key drivers of changes in the ecosystem.
The AMS 104th Annual Meeting will focus on climate change research, mitigation, and adaptation, with key discussions on overcoming barriers to implementation. The meeting features numerous scientific conferences and symposia covering topics like climate variability, air pollution meteorology, AI for environmental science, and more.
A manned submersible has found a 26m-high fault scarp of the 2011 Tohoku-oki megaquake in the Japan Trench, revealing a coseismic movement of the fault. The study suggests a 80–120m slip of the fault, contributing to our understanding of tsunami genesis and hazards.
A new study demonstrates that identifying and protecting marine ecosystems, known as coral nurseries, is crucial to future coral conservation and restoration efforts. These areas, where coral larvae can survive and thrive, are connected to established coral reefs via nearshore currents and reef structure.
The METEOR Expedition M197 is a research project studying the Eastern Mediterranean Sea's future changes in response to climate change and human activities. The project investigates nutrient supply, marine ecosystems, and carbon export from surface to deep waters.
New data analysis reveals that regional temperature patterns are crucial for evaluating climate models, with warmer temperatures in the North Atlantic and a cooler North Atlantic found to be more accurate. This approach provides better insights into the spatial impact of climate change and its effects on ecosystems and human societies.
The BioSPACE project aims to provide farmers, environmental agencies, and water-reliant industries with portable sensors to rapidly detect germs that threaten marine and freshwater life. The economic burden caused by waterborne diseases exceeds $3 billion in direct health care costs each year in the United States.