Articles tagged with Oceanography
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.
A new study by researchers at UC Santa Barbara's Marine Science Institute found that marine protected areas (MPAs) have a significant impact on the scuba diving industry in Southern California. Ecotourism activities such as underwater wildlife viewing and photography tend to occur within MPAs, while recreational lobster fishing prefers...
Researchers at UC Santa Barbara discovered that wildfire ash adds nutrients to marine systems, benefiting microbes and plankton growth. Ash enriched seawater with nitrogen sources, metals, and silicic acid, promoting primary production in coastal ecosystems.
Researchers found a tradeoff between fast growth and heat tolerance in corals, with thermally sensitive algae dominating faster growth but only in cooler water. This study helps predict reef futures and inform conservation strategies, highlighting the complexity of coral growth on a reef.
A team led by Lehigh University's Yahong Rosa Zheng is developing an Autonomous Observatory Node that can collect and transmit data from underwater sensors wirelessly, without the need for expensive subsea cables. The prototype aims to operate at depths of up to 1000 meters, enabling researchers to study extreme environments and detect...
A new study by the University of Washington challenges previous findings of declining phytoplankton in the North Atlantic. The researchers analyzed an ice core from central Greenland and found that human-generated pollutants changed the atmosphere's chemistry, offsetting a decrease in marine productivity.
Researchers from China University of Geosciences have clarified the extent of Greater India, a single plate of 2,000 to 3,000 km, before it subducted under Asia. This finding resolves questions surrounding the age of the collision and the emergence of geological structures in the region.
A new research project will explore the potential for low-lying coral atoll islands to survive the impact of rising sea levels, contradicting previous forecasts. The five-year £2.8m ARISE project will conduct extensive field tests and laboratory experiments in the Maldives and Pacific.
A new study led by University of Maryland Professor Sujay Kaushal reveals that human activities are making the planet's air, soil, and freshwater increasingly salty. This acceleration of the natural salt cycle poses an 'existential threat' to ecosystems and human health if current trends continue.
GEOMAR researchers used 3D seismics to recreate the 1650 Kolumbo volcano eruption, finding that a landslide followed by an explosion created the devastating tsunami. The study provides valuable insights for monitoring submarine volcanic activity and potentially developing early warning systems.
Researchers from the University of Plymouth discovered coral reef bleaching at depths previously thought to be resilient, highlighting the vulnerability of mesophotic coral ecosystems to thermal stress. The study suggests that climate change is causing a deepening of the thermocline, leading to increased bleaching in the deeper ocean.
The 2024 Ocean Sciences Meeting brings together 5,000 scientists to discuss breaking research and critical issues affecting ocean sustainability. The biennial event will feature an online-only scientific session on Wednesday 21 February.
New research reveals boom-and-bust cycles in eastern North Pacific grey whales, driven by changes in Arctic ice cover and prey availability. The study suggests that climate change will further impact the population's stability due to its narrow dietary niche.
Scientists have found evidence of past oxygen loss in the world's oceans during glacial periods, indicating that current climate change may not be permanent. The discovery was made by analyzing seafloor sediments from the past 145,000 years, which showed a build-up of cobalt during the last ice age.
The expedition aims to study the geological system and evolution of hydrothermal ecosystems in the Red Sea. The team will use modern seafloor observation systems and instruments like the ROV Kiel 6000 to locate and map hydrothermal habitats.
The planned releases of radioactive wastewater from Fukushima Daiichi will have negligible effects on the environment, according to a study published in Science. The predicted radiation doses from the discharges are smaller than exposure to natural radiation or medical x-rays, posing no real threat to local seafood consumers.
A genome-wide study has identified 10 genomic regions associated with disease resistance in staghorn corals, a critically endangered species. The findings provide potential tools for improving disease resistance in the wild and nursery stocks, aiding conservation efforts.
A new study found that multiyear La Niña events have become more common over the last 100 years, with warming in the western Pacific Ocean being a key factor. The study suggests that long-lasting La Niñas will exacerbate adverse impacts on communities around the globe.
A new University of Washington study measures how sea-ice microbes respond to changing conditions, offering clues to the impacts of climate change on this remote ecosystem. The results show that single-celled algae produce cryoprotectants to survive in winter and adjust their salt-like organic molecules to balance water balance.
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...
The 2022 Hunga Tonga eruption generated an extremely fast-moving and destructive submarine debris flow that severed telecommunication cables and reshaped the surrounding seafloor. The flow traveled over 100 kilometers across the seafloor at speeds of up to 122 km/h, excavating scours and channels into the seabed.
The State of the Climate report confirms record highs in greenhouse gas concentrations, global sea levels, and ocean heat content. Scientists from over 60 countries contributed to the annual review, providing a comprehensive update on Earth's climate indicators and notable weather events.
The American Meteorological Society recognizes Benjamin Santer for his work on climate change detection and attribution. William Kustas receives the Hydrologic Sciences Medal for foundational advances in evapotranspiration measurement and theory. Lixin Wu is awarded the Henry Stommel Research Medal for studies of multi-scale ocean circ...
Researchers found that tidal currents from Prydz Bay contribute significantly to basal melting on the Amery Ice Shelf, with a maximal tidal contribution estimated at 69%. This discovery suggests that tides may play a key role in Antarctica's ice shelf melting.
A team of researchers has determined that microplastic particles are present in the marine atmosphere, even in remote parts of the world. The study found that different types of plastics, including polyester and polyethylene terephthalate, were detected in air samples collected from various sites along the Norwegian coast.
Scientists measured coral calcification rates off Hawaiian Islands at depths of 230-360 feet, finding the lowest rates ever recorded for healthy corals. This is due to the efficient use of calcification by corals like Leptoseris spp., which form thin horizontal skeletons to maximize area in low-light zones.
Entanglement with lost and discarded fishing gear accounts for most turtle strandings and injuries in the Maldives. The study reveals a high prevalence of ghost net entanglement in sea turtles across 12 years.
The study found that environmental conditions and the state of the ocean can lead to enhanced risk for ocean temperature extremes. Upwelling patterns on a short-term basis also initiate some of these marine heatwaves and cold spells.
Researchers at UC Santa Barbara found that diatoms and coccolithophores, two key phytoplankton groups, can tolerate increased ocean alkalinity without significant harm. The treatment can speed up the geologic process of carbon sequestration, reducing acidity in oceans.