Articles tagged with Oceans
A new robotic system recreates the deep-sea environment, allowing scientists to study microorganisms that thrive in extreme conditions. The technology enables the growth and isolation of previously inaccessible microbes, holding promise for breakthroughs in fields like energy, materials, and biotechnology.
A study by the University of Plymouth found that international regulations governing marine protected areas (MPAs) are often ambiguous, failing to provide clear rules for satellite-based enforcement. This limitation hinders the effective use of satellite monitoring to prevent illegal activities, such as industrial fishing, in MPAs. The...
A new study by the University of Liverpool reveals that the effects of deep-sea mining on organic matter that supports life on the seafloor can be found more than four decades later. The study found lower quantities and quality of organic matter at the site of historic mining, linked to lower organism abundances.
A new study suggests that East Antarctic ice sheet may be more resilient to extreme long-term warming due to increased snowfall and cloud cover. This effect partially offsets ice loss even under high carbon dioxide concentrations, leading to a different overall response compared to West Antarctic Ice Sheet.
A recent study reveals the Antarctic Intermediate Water has reversed its long-term trends in salinity and density, driven by reduced freshwater input from melting sea ice. This change could impact global ocean currents, carbon storage, and climate stability, with potential cascading effects on weather patterns and atmospheric circulation.
A massive, 1-mile-thick ice shelf in Baffin Bay helped lock in three of the largest ice sheets in northern Canada and Greenland, contributing to hundreds of feet of sea-level rise. The discovery provides new insights into the future of Antarctica's massive ice sheets and the potential for sea-level rise.
Researchers have created a new tool, oceandatr, to make it easier to find, organize and map ocean data. The software package, developed in R, can access and organize a wide range of global ocean datasets and prepare them for analysis and mapping.
The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance has developed innovative research methods to study the endangered Southern Resident killer whale population using drones. Researchers collect thermal and breath samples to create individual health profiles, providing crucial non-invasive monitoring of the critically endangered population.
A recent FAU study found that Hawaiian corals respond differently to ocean heat, with thermal tolerance varying among species and environmental conditions. The study reveals that some corals, such as P. compressa from cooler waters, exhibit higher thermal tolerance than others, like M. capitata from warmer environments.
A new study uses process-based numerical modeling to explore how the Chesapeake Bay could respond to various kinds of tropical cyclones as sea levels rise over the next 25 years. The researchers found that rising sea levels shifted interactions toward higher water levels, weakening the bay's natural ability to dampen storm surge.
The study reveals that both sea lions and fur seals are most sensitive to sounds around 3.2 kilohertz, providing a baseline for assessing the impact of human-made noise on these marine mammals. The research findings could help inform environmental impact assessments and noise management as shipping and coastal development expand.
The study found that enclosed regions, such as the Adriatic Sea and Baltic Sea, are at the highest risk of exposure to harmful light pollution. In contrast, open areas like the Macaronesia region and the Barents Sea are considered to be of low risk.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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...
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.