Articles tagged with Oceans
Gilleaudeau aims to generate a new composite carbon record and test the hypothesis that carbon excursion was linked to global ocean anoxia. His research will produce critical data on the initiation of the Late Paleozoic Ice Age.
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.
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.
Scientists have discovered two 14ft smalltooth sand tiger sharks in Ireland's waters, a rare find suggesting the species is expanding its geographic range due to warmer sea temperatures. The discovery highlights the need for increased awareness and monitoring of these vulnerable creatures.
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.
A recent journal article by University of Miami researchers outlines ways to achieve greater equity in ocean governance and science in the global tropics. The authors emphasize the need to give a voice to the 'tropical majority' and incorporate indigenous knowledge into ocean management.
A study by IMEDEA (CSIC-UIB) proposes revising the definition of marine heatwaves to better adapt to climate change. The current definition forecasts extreme events throughout the entire year by 2050, which is misleading and can jeopardize its use as a climate indicator.
ASU's new collaboration, ʻĀkoʻakoʻa, aims to restore coral reef vitality and coastal sustainability through a partnership between scientists and local communities in Hawaiʻi. The initiative focuses on West Hawaiʻi island, where 120 miles of reef harbor diverse human and coral conditions.
A team of researchers urges governments to manage plastic production, use, and recycling by categorizing plastics as persistent, bio-accumulative and toxic (PBT) pollutants. Plastics' long-lasting nature and accumulation in organisms pose significant environmental and health risks.
A new AI-enabled forecasting model can predict ENSO events for up to 22 months, overcoming the limitations of previous models. The Spatio-Temporal Information Extraction and Fusion (STIEF) model uses deep learning to extract space and time features and fuse them together, providing a more accurate prediction length.
Scientists have discovered weak, fossilised sediments beneath the seafloor of Antarctica's eastern Ross Sea, which led to massive underwater landslides. These layers made the area susceptible to failure due to past climate change.
A new study found that coastal light pollution causes corals to spawn one to three days closer to the full moon, reducing the likelihood of fertilized eggs surviving and producing new adult corals. This disrupts the natural spawning cycle, which is critical for reef recovery after mass bleaching events.
Researchers develop a method to estimate the age of microplastics in the ocean, finding that nearshore microplastics range from 0 to 5 years old while offshore microplastics range from 1 to 3 years old. The study provides insights into how microplastics are generated and spread in the environment.
Researchers highlight the need for a coherent international framework for decommissioning offshore structures due to limited evidence on their environmental impact. The study emphasizes the critical need for consensus on future approaches as an estimated 1,800 offshore wind turbines will require decommissioning by 2030.
New research reveals that atmospheric dust supports 4.5% of global annual carbon export production through phytoplankton growth, with regional variation up to 20-40%. This pathway helps regulate atmospheric carbon dioxide levels and mitigate climate change.
The City University of Hong Kong (CityU) has been approved to establish the first UNESCO Regional Training and Research Centre on coastal contaminant monitoring in Hong Kong, focusing on the Western Pacific region. The centre aims to strengthen marine pollution monitoring, promote innovative technologies, and facilitate international r...
Oceanographers warn of limitations in carbon dioxide removal, emphasizing the need for rapid emission cuts to limit global warming. Clear definitions of marine heatwaves are also crucial for coastal communities to adapt and resource managers to prioritize mitigation strategies.
Researchers discovered that coastal marine invertebrates can survive and reproduce on floating plastic debris in the open ocean. This finding suggests a rapid shift in biogeographical boundaries due to floating plastic pollution.
Researchers have discovered a unique underwater spring in the Pacific Northwest that could provide insights into earthquake hazards. The Pythia's Oasis seep is sourced from water 2.5 miles beneath the seafloor at the plate boundary, regulating stress on the offshore fault.
A new study finds that ocean warming can impact the growth, metabolic rate, and gene activity of newly hatched clownfish larvae. The researchers found that warmer temperatures led to faster growth rates, higher metabolic rates, and changes in gene expression.
Scientists uncover evidence of median eyes in trilobites, which were previously unknown due to fossilization process. The discovery sheds light on the evolutionary history of arthropods and provides a new tool for classifying species.
A new study led by University of Maryland researchers found that melted meteorites have extremely low water content, ruling them out as the primary source of Earth's water. The team suggests that unmelted, or chondritic, meteorites may be responsible for delivering water to our planet.
A new international study reveals that global squid fisheries are operating largely in unregulated areas, with 86% of fishing efforts recorded between 2017-2020. This expansion poses significant challenges to fisheries sustainability and resource equity.
The study reveals that Antarctic bottom water (AABW) has collapsed several times in the past, with these collapses linked to an enhancement of North Atlantic Deepwater and intensified Northern Hemisphere glaciation. AABW collapse may have pulled Earth into harsher glacial climates in the past.
A team of researchers has developed a system that uses fibre-optic cables to detect and measure acoustic signals from the ocean, including whale vocalizations, ship traffic, earthquakes, and distant storms. This technology has the potential to create a global real-time monitoring network for Ocean-Earth sciences.
Scientists from BGI Genomics successfully generated a gapless genome assembly for the East Asian finless porpoise, which is approximately 2.5 Gb in size and has 22,814 protein-coding genes. The study provides new resources for comparative genomics of cetaceans and conservation biology of threatened species.
A new UW-led report emphasizes the unequal burden of marine plastic pollution on different communities, particularly in developing countries. The study calls for a more equitable approach to address the issue, focusing on plastics production rather than waste management.
Researchers found a novel gene-transfer mechanism in Prochlorococcus that enables the transmission of entire blocks of genes between organisms, even when widely separated. This mechanism, dubbed 'tycheposons,' involves sequences of DNA that can include several genes and are transported by membrane vesicles or hijacked virus particles.
Researchers analyzed 300 oceanographic projects funded by FAPESP, revealing a shift from USP to other institutions. FAPESP's support for long-term projects and collaborative research has significantly increased knowledge of Brazilian oceans. Deep-sea research remains a gap to be filled, requiring further collaboration and funding.
Researchers have developed a robot capable of sorting, manipulating, and identifying microscopic marine fossils. Forabot uses robotics and artificial intelligence to automate the tedious process of evaluating foram shells and fossils.
The use of real-world laboratories can facilitate knowledge exchange between science and society, enabling the development of participatory research approaches to address the complex challenges facing our oceans. By involving all relevant stakeholders in co-designing research questions and testing potential strategies, these labs have ...
An international research team proposes using engineered nanoparticles to fertilize ocean plankton, encouraging growth and carbon dioxide uptake. The approach has been shown to be safe and effective in enhancing plankton growth through controlled release of nutrients.
A new UNLV study compares ancient and modern ocean ecosystems, finding that ancient food webs varied greatly from today's systems. The research highlights the importance of understanding trophic position in community evolution and has implications for conservation efforts and policy.
Researchers discovered that krill oil protects dopaminergic neurons from age-related degeneration through temporal transcriptome rewiring and suppression of several hallmarks of aging. Krill oil increases neuronal resilience, promoting anti-oxidative stress and anti-inflammation, and abrogating multiple aging hallmarks.
A new study published in Marine Pollution Bulletin found significantly higher levels of polyethylene, polypropylene, acrylic, and polyamide in the North Atlantic gyre compared to other offshore locations. Inshore areas exhibited a diverse range of polymers, possibly influenced by proximity to various plastic sources.
A research team at UNIST has identified subtropical low cloud feedback as a key mechanism driving teleconnections between the Southern Ocean and tropical precipitation. Their findings suggest that this impact is stronger than previously thought, with implications for mid-latitude climate predictions.
A new study combining GPS, satellite data, and numerical modelling indicates that existing models have underestimated ice loss from northeast Greenland, which could contribute up to 15.5mm to global sea levels by 2100. The Northeast Greenland Ice Stream's contribution will be six times greater than previously thought.
A team of researchers led by Francesco Fedele investigated the extreme sea states and potential hazards for ship navigation in the eastern Mediterranean. They developed a novel theory of space-time wave extremes, indicating that rogue waves do not 'steal' energy from neighboring waves.
A low-cost sensor disguised as a sea turtle egg can predict nest hatching time almost to the day. The TurtleSense system monitors nests remotely and detects synchronized developmental movement in real-time, enabling better decision-making for conservationists.
A new method for wind profiling using small drones has been tested and validated, enabling reliable wind speed measurements. The approach uses thermal anemometers, which are ideal for sUAVs due to their lightweight and inexpensive nature.
Researchers have made a detailed study of the oldest map of the Coatzacoalcos river, showing its feasibility as a corridor between Atlantic and Pacific oceans. The Isthmus of Tehuantepec was used to shorten the journey by two-thirds along the river and one-third overland.
A new study evaluated the performance of a Seabin device in Plymouth, UK, finding it captured only 0.18kg of litter over 750 hours of operation. In contrast, manual trawls collected significantly more litter with minimal harm to marine life.
A recent study by researchers at MARUM and ICBM found that plankton communities have migrated to higher latitudes since the last ice age, leading to the formation of new species assemblages. These changes occurred even after ocean temperatures stabilized, suggesting a non-uniform response to global warming.
A recent study by the University of Plymouth and international partners reveals that rapid sea temperature drops of up to 10 degrees were a primary cause of a devastating coral die-off event in Costa Rica's Eastern Tropical Pacific. The research highlights the importance of considering upwellings when managing reef systems, and propose...
Researchers studied heat movement near North Pole and under Arctic sea ice, providing insights into the mechanisms of Arctic sea ice decline. Their findings suggest that strong winds cause mixing of water where ice and ocean meet, leading to enhanced heat transfer and changes in seawater salinity.
Researchers from Tokyo University of Science develop a method to determine the number of samples required for accurate assessment of microplastic contamination in urban rivers. The study found that at high MP concentrations, two replicate samples are sufficient to measure MP concentrations accurately.
A new species of Bathynomus, a type of deep-sea isopod, has been discovered in the Gulf of Mexico. The new species, B. yucatanensis, is around 26cm long and has unique features such as slender body proportions and longer antennae.
Researchers at Nagoya University used satellite data to track ionospheric disturbances after the 2022 Tonga underwater eruption, detecting earlier signs of tsunami waves. The team found that electromagnetic waves traveled 1000 km/s, much faster than air pressure waves, allowing for potentially quicker tsunami warnings.
A new study found that noise from one mine alone could travel approximately 500 kilometers in gentle weather conditions, with cumulative impacts likely in areas with multiple mines. The deep sea is home to organisms found nowhere else on Earth, and mining activities could have untold impacts on these species.
Save Our Seas Foundation joins Wildscreen Festival as a Principal Sponsor, focusing on marine conservation and storytelling. The partnership will promote impactful storytelling through the Panda Awards' new 'Impact' category.
The construction of dams and changes in land use have significantly impacted the amount of sediment rivers carry to oceans. Sediment transport has decreased by 49% globally due to dam construction, while increasing on 36% of rivers in the south, primarily driven by deforestation.
A new UBC study finds that southern resident killer whales have been in an energy deficit for six of the last 40 years, with three recent years (2018-2020) being particularly dire. The researchers attribute this decline to lower Chinook salmon abundance and size, which are the primary food source for these whales.
Fossilized specimens of Vampyronassa rhodanica, an ancient cephalopod related to octopus and squid, display robust suckers for active hunting. The species is thought to have used these suckers to create a watertight seal and manipulate prey.
Climate scientists argue that climate actions need to be established at multiple time scales, with a focus on slow emerging changes such as deep ocean warming and sea-level rise. This requires the development of a system of scientific ocean monitoring with a time-scale in mind, considering risks like abrupt slowdowns of ocean circulation.
A new study reveals that Manx shearwaters use dynamic soaring to harvest wind energy and travel efficiently across the ocean. The birds' ability to adapt their flight patterns to optimize energy gain suggests a potentially game-changing strategy for drones and other aerial vehicles.
New research shows that motorboat noise disrupts parental behaviors in coral reef fish, but reducing noise levels improves breeding success. On quieter reefs, 65% of nests contained offspring, compared to 40% on busy reefs. The study suggests that acoustic sanctuaries can help build resilience on coral reefs.
A team of University of Hawaii researchers found that the number of hours of darkness during the lunar cycle triggers mature Hawaiian box jellyfish to swim to shore to spawn. The study also revealed that jellies are likely to come from the lee of Diamond Head Crater, where they benefit from shelter and food.
Researchers found that baby leatherback hatchlings are less sensitive to light than loggerheads, leading to circling behavior and delayed ocean entry. This difference may be an adaptation for detecting prey or habitats in the open ocean.