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Scientists call for efforts to protect habitats of critically endangered shark species

A new study suggests that up to 70% of suitable habitats for the critically endangered whitefin swellshark will be lost over the next 75 years due to predicted ocean changes. The researchers believe that Australia's proactive conservation measures, such as marine protected areas, offer hope for the species' survival.

SourceUniversity of Plymouth·JournalPeerJ·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 20, 2025

Elephant seals in the Pacific serve as deep-ocean sentinels, revealing patterns otherwise hard to measure

Researchers found northern elephant seals serve as sentinels for northeast Pacific Ocean twilight zone ecosystem health, providing insights into prey dynamics and food webs. The study reveals rapid fluctuations in fish populations every three to five years, patterns impossible to measure through direct observation.

Some species of baleen whales avoid attracting killer whales by singing too low to be heard

Baleen whale species that flee from killer whales produce calls at deep frequencies undetectable to their predators, while others sing higher-frequency songs that are easily heard. This 'flight' vs 'fight' difference influences all aspects of baleen whale behavior, from migration patterns and communication to mating and feeding habits.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalMarine Mammal Science·TypeLiterature review·DateFeb 6, 2025

Q&A: How rate of CO2 rise can affect a global ocean current

A recent University of Washington study found that a slower increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels has less impact on the Atlantic Ocean's circulation. The research, published in PNAS, suggests that this slowdown allows the ocean system more time to adapt to rising CO2 levels and mitigates its effects.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 28, 2025

Cycle of coral bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef now at ‘catastrophic’ levels

A recent study revealed that 66% of coral colonies on the southern Great Barrier Reef were bleached by February 2024, with 80% by April. The research team tracked the health of 462 coral colonies over 161 days and found that 44% of the bleached colonies had died, including a staggering 95% mortality rate for some species.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalLimnology and Oceanography Letters·TypeObservational study·DateJan 20, 2025

What happens in the ocean when two cyclones collide

When two tropical cyclones collide in the Indian Ocean, they can intensify considerably, leading to extreme interactions between the ocean and atmosphere. The study found that effects occurred that have only been observed with much stronger cyclones, including a cooling effect of three degrees Celsius and upwelling of deep water masses.

SourceUniversity of Oldenburg·JournalTellus A Dynamic Meteorology and Oceanography·TypeCase study·DateDec 10, 2024

The academic journal “Polar Science” features the seventh International Symposium on Arctic Research (ISAR-7)

The seventh International Symposium on Arctic Research (ISAR-7) addressed Arctic changes' impacts on residents and the global community. The symposium featured diverse presentations covering atmospheric sciences, terrestrial science, and humanities, highlighting the need for interdisciplinary research to achieve sustainable development.

Remote control eddies: Upwelled nutrients boost productivity around Hawaiian Islands

A new study reveals that ocean eddies off the leeward side of Hawaiian Islands supply nutrients to both sides of the island chain, stimulating blooms of phytoplankton and boosting biological productivity. This mechanism may also impact fisheries near Hawaii and other nutrient-poor regions.

SourceUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa·JournalJournal of Geophysical Research Oceans·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 31, 2024

Microplastics detected in dolphin breath

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.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateOct 16, 2024

Microplastics found in coral skeletons

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.

SourceKyushu University·JournalScience of The Total Environment·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 20, 2024

How a Fjord in Greenland generated a global seismic signal

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.

SourceKarlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)·JournalScience·TypeLiterature review·DateSep 13, 2024

Land-sea “tag-team” devastated ocean life millions of years ago reveal scientists

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.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalNature Geoscience·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 29, 2024

Marine science oxygen produced in the deep sea raises questions about extraterrestrial life

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.

SourceBoston University·JournalNature Geoscience·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 26, 2024

Study finds highest prediction of sea-level rise unlikely

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.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalScience Advances·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 21, 2024

New perspectives for using corals in climate research

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.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalGeochemical Perspectives Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 7, 2024

Study reveals significant increasing nitrous-oxide emissions from human activities, jeopardizing climate goals

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.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalEarth System Science Data·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 11, 2024

Warming of Antarctic deep-sea waters contribute to sea level rise in North Atlantic, study finds

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.

SourceUniversity of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science·JournalNature Geoscience·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 19, 2024