Articles tagged with Oceans
A new study suggests that the majority of ocean plastics are on the seafloor or difficult to monitor, with an estimated 540 million metric tons trapped on land. The research estimates that large plastics and microplastics account for only a small percentage of total ocean plastic waste.
A study published in eLife reveals that trade-offs between growth and survival enable marine microbes with different dispersal strategies to coexist on small particles in the ocean. The findings help explain the diversity of bacteria and microbes in oceans, shedding light on the factors supporting their existence.
The University of Plymouth is collaborating with Kongsberg Digital to develop a state-of-the-art simulator that will revolutionize the floating offshore wind sector. The new system will provide key insights into solutions increasing efficiency, safety, and cost effectiveness for industry professionals.
Scientists propose a new mechanism by which oxygen accumulated in the atmosphere, shifting the planet out of its low-oxygen equilibrium. Interactions between certain marine microbes and minerals in ocean sediments may have prevented oxygen consumption, setting off a self-amplifying process.
A 22-month study found that Hawaiian coral species experienced significant mortality, but some thrived under conditions simulating future ocean temperatures and acidity. The research provides hope for the future of corals, with certain species, like Porites, showing remarkable resilience.
Researchers used a novel approach to understand the effects of human activity on the planet, introducing three parameters: delay time, memory, and persistence. They found that the atmosphere, land, and ocean system is fragile and could be forced outside its natural regime before 2050 if emissions continue as usual.
A new analysis reveals Caribbean coral reefs have warmed by 0.5 to 1°C in the past century, with projected further warming of 1.5°C by 2100. Marine heatwaves are also increasing in frequency and length, posing a significant threat to these ecosystems.
A recent study reveals that Megalodon's body size was influenced by water temperature, with individuals growing larger in cooler waters. The research suggests that Bergmann's rule may have played a role in the shark's gigantism.
Researchers used submersibles to explore deep reefs, increasing the recorded number of deep-reef fishes by 9-fold. The study found that reef-fish faunas extend below the mesophotic zone and revealed a previously unknown reef ocean zone, the rariphotic.
Researchers analyzed 280 confirmed sea turtle entanglements in Massachusetts waters and found that quickly reporting incidents can improve survival rates. The study highlights the importance of complete disentanglement to minimize injury and promote survival, with many turtles being alive weeks to years after being disentangled.
A new UNSW-led study reveals that global warming has amplified the water cycle, with an estimated 46,000-77,000 cubic kilometers of freshwater transported from the equator to the poles since 1970. This finding suggests broader changes to the global water cycle and highlights the need for improved climate models.
A team of researchers found that many marine phytoplankton are voracious predators, consuming bacteria like Prochlorococcus and other primary production. This discovery reveals the complexity of ocean ecosystems and challenges traditional views of phytoplankton as solely photosynthetic organisms.
Researchers developed novel bioplastics using lysine-rich proteins, offering improved durability, biocompatibility, and biodegradability. The bioplastics can be produced without toxic chemicals or complex processing steps, making them a promising alternative for packaging, toys, and other applications.
Researchers have discovered two new and unusual species of diatoms that fix nitrogen, a critical process supporting productivity in nutrient-poor open ocean waters. These diatoms harbor symbiotic cyanobacteria that convert dissolved nitrogen gas into ammonia, enabling them to thrive in nutrient-poor conditions.
Researchers at University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science found that marine snow particles help remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, contributing to a more efficient carbon cycle. The discovery sheds light on how oxygen deficient zones play a crucial role in the Earth's carbon cycle.
Researchers have developed a method to detect tiny plastic scraps on remote beaches using satellite technology. This innovation enables the tracking of plastics within satellite images, allowing for more frequent and reliable observations.
Researchers from McGill University found that oxygen levels rose with complex eukaryotic ecosystems, indicating low oxygen was a significant limitation on evolution for billions of years. The discovery has implications for searching for biosignatures in other planets, focusing on ozone detection.
Researchers detected 43 trillion miniature plastic particles in Switzerland every year, with estimates suggesting up to 3,000 tonnes of nanoplastics covering the country annually. The study reveals that nanoplastics originate primarily from urban areas and global emissions, posing potential health risks when inhaled.
Researchers found that dynamic ocean management is more effective in reducing accidental catch than permanent marine protected areas. Dynamic closures track real-time data and close smaller areas as species hotspots shift, resulting in up to 57% reduction in bycatch.
A study by Kyoto University found that migratory shrimp significantly enriched streams with nutrients, outperforming aquatic insects. The research highlights the crucial role of these small crustaceans in maintaining ecosystem balance and suggests integrating landscape management to support nutrient cycling.
Researchers from Korea Maritime & Ocean University found that using LPG as a marine fuel can reduce annual fuel consumption by 7.5-10.4%, fuel cost by 8.8-25.9%, and carbon dioxide emissions by 10-14%. The study also highlights the potential for promoting LPG as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional fuels.
The frequency of thunderstorms in some fast-growing African coastal cities has doubled over the past 30 years, mostly linked to land use change. Deforestation exacerbates storm activity, causing increased rainfall and flooding in urban areas.
Oceanographers replaced ship-based studies with sensors attached to seals to navigate icy waters, revealing seasonally varying water flows and their impact on biological production. The study found that warm, low-salinity water appears during autumn, positively affecting seal foraging behavior and potentially enhancing prey availability.
Scientists used biologging tech to track three seabird species taking different migration routes from a shared Canadian Arctic nesting location. The study adds evidence linking marine biodiversity in the Arctic region to high seas conservation efforts. Local coastal communities are connected through these Arctic seabirds' migrations.
A new UC Riverside-led study reveals that tiny microbes belching toxic gas helped cause and prolong the biggest mass extinction in Earth's history. The heat accelerated microbes' metabolisms, creating a deadly cycle of hydrogen sulfide production.
A new global atlas reveals that up to 1.9 million km2 of the world's coastal waters are affected by artificial light at night, with significant impacts on marine organisms. The study uses a novel metric to determine the depth of light penetration and highlights the need for further research into the effects of ALAN pollution.
A study found a strong correlation between the number of microbial enzymes that can degrade plastic and local levels of plastic pollution. Researchers analyzed environmental DNA samples from around the world and discovered over 30,000 enzyme homologues with potential to break down various types of plastics.
Researchers found that dolphins have adapted to coastal life independently due to ancestral genes, which provide benefits for living in different environments. These genetic variations can be learned and passed down through generations.
Climate scientists found that marine aerosols contribute to low-level ice-cloud formation over the Southern Ocean even under higher temperatures. This discovery will help reduce errors in numerical climate models and improve global climate understanding and predictions.
Coastal organisms thrive on floating plastic debris in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre, expanding their biogeography. The discovery reveals that plastic pollution is providing a habitat for coastal species to survive and even thrive in the open ocean.
Scientists found that variations in Earth's orbit drive cycles of higher and lower diversity in coccolithophore size and shape, with rhythms of 100 and 400 thousand years. This influence may have played a role in ancient climates and climate variations during past warm periods.
The Centre for Doctoral Training in Sustainable Management of UK Marine Resources (SuMMeR CDT) will train 50 interdisciplinary PhD students to sustainably manage the UK's coasts and seas. The program focuses on subjects ranging from marine sciences to law, health, education, and economics.
Researchers have developed a database of parasite-host interactions among ancient ocean animals, shedding light on the evolution of biodiversity and the impact of parasitism on ecosystems. The study suggests that parasites can positively stabilize coastal ecosystems, making them more stable despite individual harm to hosts.
New research reveals that blue, fin and humpback whales consume an average of three times more food each year than scientists previously estimated. This increased consumption plays a crucial role in maintaining ocean health and productivity by recycling key nutrients.
Two hundred ninety scientific researchers from 46 countries urge the World Trade Organization (WTO) to ban harmful fisheries subsidies that contribute to overcapacity and overfishing. The signatories cite research showing that such subsidies lead to unsustainable fishing practices, contravening UN Sustainable Development Goal 14.
Researchers have compiled a dataset of microplastic abundance in the world's upper oceans, estimating 24.4 trillion pieces weighing 82,000-578,000 tons. The data fills gaps in global coverage and provides realistic amounts for assessing impact on aquatic organisms.
A UNSW-led study analyzing 10 years of citizen science data found that almost half of marine debris can be linked to land-based sources. Plastic accounts for 84% of the rubbish found on Australian beaches, with a significant portion coming from external sources such as stormwater drains near capital cities.
A study found that climate change will alter functioning of marine microbial communities, with plankton at the poles being particularly badly damaged by rising temperatures. In temperate zones, they'll suffer from reduced nutrient flows, while in the tropics, increased salinity will affect them.
A new study published in Coral Reefs confirms that soft corals Plexaura kükenthali and Plexaura homomalla are two separate species. The research found significant differences in morphology, genetics, reproduction, and symbiotic relationships between the two species.
The global coral reef crisis is characterized by widespread overfishing, pollution, disease, and climate change. The report highlights the need for swift action to address these issues and identifies management efforts such as reducing pollution and establishing marine protected areas.
Scientists at Stanford University have discovered a pattern in how life reemerges after mass extinctions. In the past half-billion years, smaller marine genera were substantially more likely to be wiped out during mass extinction events, but during recovery intervals, originators tended to be tiny compared to holdover species.
Researchers found that additives in commercial shopping bags boost the conversion of solid plastics into water-soluble compounds under sunlight. The compounds vary depending on the additives used, with some bags releasing up to 15,000 dissolved compounds.
A new study by the University of Plymouth found that maritime ropes can release millions of microplastic fragments into the ocean annually. The research estimated that the UK fishing fleet alone could be releasing between 326 million to 17 billion microplastic pieces into the ocean every year.
Research by Prof. Lifang Sheng and team reveals the northward movement of Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) causes heavy autumn rainfall in the northern South China Sea. The ITCZ's shift north is triggered by abnormal equatorial easterlies, which strengthen during La Niña years.
The study found that coral reefs' capacity to provide essential benefits and services, including food and livelihoods, has declined significantly. The decline in coral reef coverage and biodiversity is attributed to climate change, overfishing, pollution, and more.
The MPA Guide categorizes MPAs by stage of establishment and level of protection, highlighting the importance of including local peoples in the decision-making process for effective conservation. The guide specifies outcomes for biodiversity and human well-being depending on the chosen level of protection.
A new study reveals that climate change will affect Antarctic seals, such as crabeater and Weddell seals, in distinct ways. Crabeater seals are more vulnerable due to their specialized diet and breeding on unstable pack-ice, while Weddell seals are less affected.
The Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation has completed the largest coral reef survey and mapping expedition in history, assessing over 1,000 reefs in 16 countries. The Global Reef Expedition provided a comprehensive dataset for coral reef conservation, highlighting the status and major threats to these ecosystems.
A study published in Scientific Reports suggests that between 10.3% and 82% of the global ocean may experience new climates with higher temperatures and lower aragonite saturation by 2100. The disappearance of these climates could force marine species to adapt rapidly or disappear.
Researchers have developed tiny 'nanojars' that can split bicarbonate into carbonate and capture it, as well as certain toxic anions, making them suitable for recycling. The nanojars are made up of multiple repeating units of a copper ion and a pyrazole group, and can selectively bind to specific ions.
A new study by Yale University researchers reveals that rivers are the main source of mercury in coastal areas, rather than atmospheric deposition. The Amazon River, Ganges, and Yangtze are among the top contributors, with levels highest in August and September.
Researchers found that a probiotic cocktail of beneficial bacteria increases coral survival after a bleaching event. The approach could be administered in advance to help corals recover from high sea temperatures. Probiotic treatment improved coral response and recovery, boosting survival from 60% to 100%.
A recent study found that greenhouse gases from human activity and warmer North Atlantic Ocean temperatures contributed to the Northeast's increased extreme precipitation since 1996. The research used global climate model simulations and statistical methods to isolate the causes of the increase.
A new study found that plastic pollution is ingested by juvenile sea turtles, leading them to accumulate in highly polluted areas like the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. The research team examined 121 sea turtles from five species and found that 86% of loggerheads and 83% of greens contained plastic.
Scientists have developed a new model to predict the health of coral reefs using data from the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation's Global Reef Expedition. The model identifies key drivers of coral reef health, including biophysical and anthropogenic factors.
The Save Our Seas Foundation has awarded 61 grants in 2021, with recipients spanning seven continents and focusing on shark, ray, and sawfish conservation. The grants support innovative projects using cutting-edge technology, citizen science, and local knowledge to address pressing ocean conservation crises.
A new method evaluates satellite CO2 observations over open ocean areas, using cargo ship and passenger aircraft data. The study reveals a negative bias in satellite XCO2 data, which can be attributed to uncertainties in the retrieval algorithms.
A new model simulates tortuous magma pathways feeding eruptions, identifying three forces: hotspot rise, volcanic rock weight, and buoyancy. This understanding lays foundations for predicting fissure eruptions and reducing dangers.
Smithsonian scientists discovered shark denticles on fossil- and modern coral reefs, revealing changing shark roles over 7000 years. Shark populations declined due to human hunting and habitat loss, impacting ecosystem balance.
A new study by Newcastle University highlights the risk of dolphins and porpoises being caught in small-scale (artisanal) fisheries, particularly in low- and middle-income regions around the tropics and sub-tropics. The study's findings emphasize the need for international collaboration and cooperation to address this threat and balanc...