Articles tagged with Oceans
A study published in Nature Communications reveals that ancient ocean chemistry created a self-sustaining cycle that kept oxygen levels high after they first rose. This cycle, fueled by phosphorus recycling, allowed for biological productivity and maintained oxygen in the atmosphere.
Researchers found that realistic seafloor topography can sustain and reshape the key features of climate system even when continents are removed. The study revealed that ocean bathymetry plays a crucial role in driving the modern Earth's climate in the absence of land surfaces.
Aoguangviridae, a marine virus family associated with Poseidoniales, has been found to be far more diverse and widespread than previously suspected. The expanded genomic framework reveals 22 subfamilies, 157 genera, and 167 species, with transcriptional activity in deep waters and potential influence on host metabolism.
Dr. Michael Twardowski, Ph.D., an internationally recognized expert in optical oceanography, has been named Edwin A. Link Ocean Technology and Defense Endowed Professor at FAU Harbor Branch. He will focus on developing innovative ocean-sensing technologies for marine science and national defense.
A recent study published in PLOS One reveals that the ocean's depths, including the Mar Del Plata Submarine Canyon, have accumulated human trash, including plastic and fishing gear. The research found 29 identifiable manmade objects, including plastic bags and food wrappers, which were funneled into the canyon by currents and geography.
Researchers found that a deep-sea protein, PoXeR, adapts to extreme pressure by forming a trimeric structure, which provides structural stability. The protein's ability to withstand pressure could lead to the development of light-responsive protein materials and improve understanding of how life adapts to deep-sea conditions.
Marine microbes play a vital role in ocean health, climate regulation, biodiversity, and the blue bioeconomy. They drive processes including nutrient cycling, carbon sequestration, and primary productivity. AMI recommends acknowledging their importance in European ocean policy to ensure a healthy, resilient, and sustainable ocean.
Scientists have discovered 10 new species of branching marine worms, shedding light on their evolution and diversity. The study, published in the Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, used DNA sequencing and anatomical analyses to solve a long-standing puzzle and provide new insights into the evolution of complex body forms.
The Arctic melt season has extended by seven and a half days since 1979, driven by sea ice forming later in the fall, with implications for the global climate system. The changing sea ice properties also impact the ecosystem, including the health of algae, which affects the entire food web and fisheries in the sub-Arctic and Arctic.
Two new research chairs at UVic will focus on improving climate-ready ocean stewardship and prevention-focused health research. Elliott Hazen will lead efforts to identify early ecosystem warning signals and collaborate with Indigenous communities to support climate-responsive ocean stewardship. David Almeida will establish a digital a...
A recent study published in Nature found that Antarctica's brief rebound in 2021-2023 was caused by climate variability, not a new normal. The researchers linked the extra precipitation to the tropical warm pool, a warm patch of ocean in the western Pacific and eastern Indian oceans, which made an outsized contribution to extreme weath...
Researchers analyzed 27,000 ancient seafloor samples and found a consistent pattern of manganese enrichment in sediments from high latitudes, indicating polar oceans remained oxygen-rich. This suggests that oxygen availability drove the observed differences in ocean conditions during ancient ice ages.
New research reveals that blue mussels reduce filtration activity in response to parasite detection, with potential consequences for ecosystem function. The 'ecology of fear' concept shows that the mere risk of infection can cause mussels to change behavior, making it harder for parasites to infect them.
A recent NTU Singapore study found that 76% of Indo-Pacific coral reefs may struggle to keep pace with accelerating sea-level rise, threatening coastal protection and marine habitats. Reefs can grow only so quickly, and if sea level rises faster than a reef can build upwards, the reef will sit under progressively deeper water.
Researchers from Utrecht University found that the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation's (AMOC) stability depends on how fast the climate is changing. Slow warming allows the ocean to adapt, while fast warming triggers a collapse around +2°C of warming.
Researchers investigated adding iron to the ocean to boost CO2 removal, finding varying effects on marine ecosystems. The Southern Ocean offers a favorable balance of climate impact and ecological consequences, while other regions face more severe consequences.
New research highlights the hidden threats of marine heatwaves on human health, including psychological impacts, respiratory problems, and eco-anxiety. The study calls for governments and public health agencies to treat marine heatwaves as a major public health issue.
Researchers found specific song themes tied to specific parts of a dive, revealing insights into how singing affects energy use, oxygen management and vulnerability. The study's findings offer practical applications for tracking whale populations and establishing a clearer baseline for normal humpback behavior.
Scientists used chemical clues in microscopic fossils to find evidence that ocean acidification caused one of the largest extinction events in planktic foraminifera history. The study suggests that volcanic eruptions and rising CO2 levels led to a decrease in shell-building ability, ultimately contributing to the extinction.
A new digital mapping project has created a comprehensive dataset to safeguard UNESCO World Heritage sites along coastlines at risk of flooding and erosion. The Global Coastal Heritage (Glo-CoH) dataset includes 1250 individual heritage sites, spanning over 235 million hectares across the globe.
Scientists use commercially available surfing webcams to measure Oregon's coastal fog, revealing patchy fog patterns along 93 miles of coastline. The study found that airport measurements were a good indication of average monthly fog frequency, but surface weather conditions at the airport were not sufficient for real-time fog detection.
New analysis reveals Arctic winter sea ice coverage declined significantly due to record lows in 2025 and 2026, reversing a brief slowdown. The study suggests that Arctic winter sea ice loss is continuing in a warming climate.
Researchers found that as salinity increases in freshwater environments, microbial communities lose diversity due to faster-growing strains taking over, but maintain overall growth rates. This effect is also observed in natural ecosystems across different environments.
Researchers found that tiny, invisible swirls in the deep ocean shape significant climate forces like sea level rise and fisheries collapse. Climate models require significant improvements to accurately predict these effects.
A new study reveals that microplastics in the air can trap heat, making them a previously unknown contributor to climate change. Researchers found that colored microplastics absorb roughly 16% as much heat as black carbon, with an effect equivalent to running 200 coal-fired power plants annually.
Declining plankton abundance across the North East Atlantic poses a significant threat to ocean health, impacting marine food webs and carbon cycling. The study found six pelagic habitat-region combinations rated as 'Not Good' and three as 'Uncertain', highlighting the need for climate change mitigation and reduced nutrient pollution.
The 'Hess Evolution' expedition aims to uncover the origin and age of Hess Rise, a vast volcanic plateau. Researchers will analyze rock samples collected from depths of up to 6,000 meters to determine if they reveal systematic age patterns across the plateau.
A new underwater mapping technique, Sonar-MASt3R, combines sonar and visual data to generate detailed 3D maps of environments in real-time. The system enables vehicles to navigate through cloudy water by quickly mapping the general shape of their surroundings using sonar.
Researchers propose a thermochemical mantle plume formation process for the Ontong Java Plateau, contradicting previous hypotheses. The model explains spatial variations in crustal thickness and lava composition across the plateau.
A new study has analyzed over 2100 samples to build a genetic dataset containing more than 500 million unique genes, revealing the immense potential of deep-sea biodiversity for developing new technologies. The research found that despite vast genetic diversity, deep-sea organisms rely on stable, core designs to survive extreme conditi...
A new study by Tulane University researcher Sönke Dangendorf found that human-caused sea-level rise has significantly increased the frequency of extreme coastal flooding worldwide. Coastal flooding events expected once every 100 years now occur on average about 12 times more likely to occur globally.
Researchers used the Hybrid Coordinate Ocean Model to predict internal tide sea-surface height signatures and improve SWOT satellite observations of small-scale ocean eddies. The new approach accounts for 60% more internal tide signal, yielding a clearer picture of these important ocean patterns.
A recent study found that Caribbean reef sharks prefer locations with dense prey populations, making food abundance an essential factor in their habitat choice. The research suggests that prey conservation should be considered alongside fishing bans to support shark conservation.
SwRI has introduced a new 30-inch diameter pressure vessel, enabling faster testing of larger equipment at extreme ocean depths. The vessel can test equipment up to 16,500 psig, simulating the pressures in the deepest parts of the ocean, and features a novel quick-acting closure system.
Scientists discovered that oxygen levels in shallow oceans declined about 8 million years before the end-Triassic mass extinction, stressing marine ecosystems. The research provides a rough guide for the future as our oceans undergo acidification and deoxygenation.
A study found that scuba diving tourism causes frequent and often hidden damage to coral reefs, with most damage being unintentional or unnoticed. The research identifies factors such as underwater camera use, gloves, and peer behavior that contribute to reef damage.
A new study by international researchers suggests that massive Atlantic seaweed blooms could be harnessed for climate solutions such as marine carbon dioxide removal and biofuel production. The vast blooms of Sargassum are not only likely to persist, but may be predictable, with predictive capability reducing uncertainty about the futu...
A global study of marine litter has identified food and beverage plastics as the leading contributors to ocean pollution, with plastic packaging, caps, and bottles dominating shoreline debris worldwide. The research highlights the urgent need for reduced plastic production and more efficient waste management practices.
Rising ocean temperatures cause corals to struggle with oxygen uptake due to disrupted ciliary motion. At moderate temperatures, corals accelerate ciliary motion to meet increased oxygen demand, but this compensatory mechanism fails at higher temperatures.
The SO320/1 expedition aims to investigate the formation of the 1,000km-long Hess Rise plateau using various models and multiple research instruments. The team will test three scenarios for its formation and collect rock samples from the seafloor for further analysis.
A new study led by University of Maryland scientist Madeleine Youngs reveals that meltwater flowing off ice shelves changes the ocean's circulation patterns, driving even faster melting. This self-reinforcing chain reaction contributes as much to rising sea levels as direct atmospheric warming.
A study has mapped changes in the distributions of two phytoplankton groups, Pseudo-nitzschia and Dinophysis, which produce toxins that can harm human health and marine ecosystems. The research reveals significant shifts over six decades, with changes aligned more closely with climate-driven ocean physical shifts.
A new study reveals that even the most remote corners of the ocean are contaminated with zinc from human sources, surpassing natural zinc levels. Zinc from fossil fuel combustion and industrial emissions dominates the upper layer of the South Pacific, posing a potential threat to marine life and nutrient balances.
A study by ICTA-UAB reveals that the West African coast is a primary source of microlitter in the South Atlantic Ocean, with particles transported by equatorial currents to remote areas. The research highlights the need for global action to address this environmental issue.
A new study finds that water masses from the Southern Hemisphere have been a major contributor to the Indonesian Throughflow for over 800,000 years. The researchers measured nitrogen isotopes in sediment cores and found a remarkable long-term stability of the nitrogen cycle along the equatorial Pacific.
A new study explores potential options for Venice to adapt to sea-level rise, including relocating the city, movable barriers, ring dikes, and closing the Venetian Lagoon. The research suggests that no single approach is optimal, requiring a balance of factors such as resident wellbeing, economic prosperity, and cultural heritage.
A new study introduces Map the Giants, a pioneering citizen-science initiative to document giant coral colonies before they disappear due to global pressures. The project aims to unlock genetic secrets and traits of resilient corals, providing a validated sampling frame for future research.
Researchers from Colorado State University found that tiny particles bubbling up from melting sea ice in the Arctic sky can create clouds, providing a platform for water vapor to freeze onto. This discovery sheds light on why Arctic clouds behave differently and could help improve weather modeling and climate change predictions.
The study clarifies the typical characteristics and driving factors of Oxygen Minimum Zones (OMZ) in the global ocean, highlighting the role of temperature, ocean circulation, and other factors. The researchers also propose establishing OMZ gradient thresholds for better understanding and management.
The partnership aims to boost conservation impact by harnessing advanced digital technology and biobanking techniques, focusing on three core areas: knowledge transfer, innovation, and student engagement. This collaboration seeks to address pressing environmental challenges such as biodiversity threats and emerging pathogens.
A new study published in Biodiversity Data Journal reveals a profound look at life up to nearly 10 kilometers below the ocean's surface in the Japan, Ryukyu, and Izu-Ogasawara trenches. The research catalogs at least 108 distinct organism groups, including a baffling unidentified animal that has left global taxonomic experts stumped.
A new study provides a solutions-focused pathway to implementing the High Seas Treaty, highlighting the need for enhanced data resources and sharing. The researchers identify major scientific and technical developments that can help address challenges in biodiversity monitoring and connectivity between areas.
A new study suggests that climate change will shift the balance of macromolecules in phytoplankton from proteins to carbohydrates and lipids, with a 20% increase expected by 2100. This could lead to an unbalanced diet for marine life, with implications for ocean health and human consumption.
Researchers tracked movement, acceleration, depth, and water temperature for nine hammerheads in Florida and the Bahamas waters. They found great hammerheads can effectively hunt fast-moving prey like blacktip sharks in winter and tarpon in summer, suggesting they may tolerate changing climates better than other species.
A global analysis of over 2,300 seawater samples reveals human-made chemicals make up a significant portion of organic matter in coastal oceans. Industrial chemicals, including plastics and consumer products, dominate the anthropogenic chemical signal, persisting even 20 kilometers offshore.
Researchers have completed the most comprehensive survey of DNA associated with plankton in the Southern Ocean, revealing a vast genetic diversity that affects the carbon cycle. The study sheds light on the role of microbial ecosystems in climate change and highlights the need to understand how these genes control ocean chemistry.
A Rutgers researcher finds bacteria accelerate calcium carbonate dissolution in shallow seas, potentially slowing carbon sequestration and influencing climate change. The discovery sheds light on the ocean's biological carbon pump and its future implications.
A new study finds hitchhiking bacteria dissolve essential ballast in ubiquitous
In 2025, global unprovoked shark bites returned to near-average levels, with a significant decrease in the United States. The country accounted for 38% of worldwide incidents, down from over 50% in recent years. Australia followed closely, with 32% of global bites and 56% of fatalities.
Researchers on M217/1 expedition study upwelling system and extreme events off southwest African coast, focusing on Coastal Kelvin waves and Benguela Niños. Key findings include the seasonal upwelling without wind off Angola and the causes of marine heatwaves that disrupt marine ecosystems.