Researchers explore ocean microbes' role in climate effects
Researchers discovered that marine bacteria process a key chemical called dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) in
Phytoplankton
Articles tagged with Phytoplankton
Tiny marine organisms as the key to global cycles
Scientists have developed new methods to analyze individual proteins in marine protists, enabling studies on how these tiny organisms respond to environmental changes. The research sheds light on seasonal fluctuations and climate change impacts, providing insights into global cycles driven by phytoplankton.
Observing phytoplankton via satellite
A new algorithm allows researchers to determine dominant phytoplankton types and identify toxic algal blooms using satellite data. This breakthrough can assess water quality and impact the fishing industry, as well as inform conclusions on global warming's effects on marine plankton.
Climate variations may impact the base of the food web along the California coast
A recent study reveals that natural climate cycles significantly influence the base of the food web along the California coast. Climate changes can alter the timing and prevalence of phytoplankton and harmful algal blooms, which are crucial for understanding ecosystem responses to ocean warming.
Seeding oceans with iron may not impact climate change
Researchers found that Earth's oceans already contain just the right amount of iron, making it unlikely to improve carbon dioxide absorption. Phytoplankton growth is more dependent on organic compounds called ligands, which regulate iron availability.
UCI oceanographers predict increase in phytoplankton by 2100
A new study using a neural network-driven Earth system model predicts an increase in phytoplankton biomass in low-latitude regions by 2100. The team found that the traditional assumption of declining biomass due to climate change is not supported, and instead, phytoplankton may actually thrive in warmer waters.
Study offers solution to Ice Age ocean chemistry puzzle
A new study reveals that phytoplankton in the tropics absorbed high levels of CO2 during Ice Ages due to iron-rich dust. This discovery explains almost all of the additional CO2 transported into oceans via the biological pump, improving climate models and understanding ocean processes.
Sulphur emissions from marine algae dropped during glacial periods
Research found that sulphur production by tiny marine algae decreased during glacial periods, challenging conventional wisdom. This decrease in sulphur emissions may be linked to changes in climate rather than just the amount of dust in the air, suggesting a closer relationship between phytoplankton and climate.
Scientists who raced to study Kilauea's lava as it fueled rare phytoplankton bloom find surprise
A rapid-response oceanographic expedition studied the Kilauea Volcano's impact on marine ecosystems. High concentrations of nitrate in seawater triggered a strong phytoplankton bloom, contrary to expectations that lava would contain little nitrogen.
How deep-ocean vents fuel massive phytoplankton blooms
Researchers at Stanford University discovered an aquatic highway that lets nutrients from Earth's belly reach surface waters off Antarctica, stimulating explosive growth of microscopic ocean algae. Hydrothermal vents may affect life near the ocean's surface and global carbon cycle more than previously thought.
Mapping the global distribution of phytoplankton
Researchers from ETH Zurich have modeled the spatial and temporal distribution of over 530 species of phytoplankton using 700,000 water samples. The study reveals that tropical waters hold the richest diversity of species at all times of the year, while mid-latitudes exhibit lower biodiversity due to strong currents and turbulence.
Study looks to iron from microbes for climate help
A new study proposes using iron powder produced by bacteria to stimulate growth of phytoplankton in the ocean, which can help remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This approach aims to supplement decreasing carbon emissions and mitigate climate change by fertilizing microscopic ocean plants.
Novel methodological tool helps detect synergistic phenomena in phytoplankton growth
Researchers developed a new statistical tool to observe interaction among variables influencing phytoplankton abundance over time. They identified a synergistic effect between water temperature and phytoplankton predation, providing insights into spatial synchrony of phytoplankton blooms.
Microorganisms are the main emitters of carbon in Amazonian waters
A new study reveals the microbial food web in Amazonian waters, consisting of 20% of the whole Amazon, produces 10 times more CO2 than the classical food chain by decomposing organic matter. This accounts for most of the carbon circulating in lakes, floodplains, and wetlands.
Discovery of parasitic arsenic cycle may offer glimpse of life in future, warmer oceans
A newly discovered parasitic arsenic cycle in which bacteria keep phytoplankton on an energy-sapping treadmill of nutrient detoxification may offer a glimpse into what further ocean warming will bring. This process could explain the success of SAR11 bacteria, which surpass all other plankton in numbers.
Ocean life in 3D: Mapping phytoplankton with a smart AUV
A Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) team deployed an autonomous underwater vehicle to collect data on phytoplankton, which form the base of the marine food chain. The AUV created a 3-D map of hot spots, providing clues about declining seabird populations.
Study: Much of the surface ocean will shift in color by end of 21st century
A new study predicts that over 50% of the world's oceans will shift in color by the year 2100, with blue regions intensifying and green ones deepening. The changes are caused by climate-driven changes in phytoplankton communities and can be detected using satellite measurements.
Exploring the effects of ocean acidification on iron for phytoplankton in North Pacific
The study examines how ocean acidification affects iron availability to phytoplankton, a critical nutrient for marine productivity. Researchers aim to develop proxies for quantifying iron availability under present and future ocean acidification conditions.
Study shows algae thrive under Greenland sea ice
A new study using Argo floats has gathered unprecedented data on the phytoplankton community beneath the Greenland Sea ice. The research found that half of ocean energy production occurs beneath the sea ice in late winter and early spring, with the other half occurring at the edge of the ice in spring.
Arctic sea ice decline driving ocean phytoplankton farther north
New research reveals Arctic phytoplankton blooms are expanding northward at a rate of 1 degree of latitude per decade. The decline in sea ice creates open water areas where phytoplankton can thrive, leading to increased primary productivity and potential changes to the food web.
Bioavailable iron in glacial dust
Bioavailable iron in glacial dust supports phytoplankton growth and enhances climate feedback by removing carbon dioxide. During glacial periods, 25-45% of iron is bioavailable, whereas interglacial periods have only 5-10%.
Mobile device by UCLA enables easy prediction and control of harmful algal blooms
Harmful algal blooms have become a serious problem for marine life, affecting humans and wildlife. UCLA researchers created a new flow cytometer that analyzes water samples instantly, providing real-time insight into algal bloom locations and severity.
When viruses infect phytoplankton, it can change the clouds
A recent study found that when phytoplankton is infected with a virus, it releases large amounts of chalky particles into the air, affecting cloud properties and Earth's energy balance. The research suggests that these emissions play a significant role in shaping atmospheric conditions.
Expedition probes ocean's smallest organisms for climate answers
Phytoplankton, tiny plant-like organisms, play a key role in removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through photosynthesis. The EXPORTS team is studying the pathways, fates, and carbon cycle impacts of phytoplankton and zooplankton using advanced underwater robotics and satellite imagery.
Global fisheries to be, on average, 20 percent less productive in 2300, UCI study finds
A new study predicts that global fisheries will be 20% less productive in 2300, with the North Atlantic and western Pacific experiencing significant declines. Climate change is expected to alter wind patterns, boost ocean temperatures, and melt sea ice, leading to a reduction in phytoplankton growth and nutrient transfer.
Scientists discover key gene for producing marine molecule with huge environmental impacts
Researchers at the University of East Anglia have discovered a key gene responsible for synthesizing dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP), an important nutrient in marine environments. The discovery could allow scientists to better predict the impact of climate change on DMSP production and its effects on the global sulfur cycle.
A nutrient mix makes phytoplankton thrive
Researchers found that over broad regions of the South Atlantic, a combination of two or three nutrients was needed to stimulate phytoplankton growth. This study provides experimental evidence for widespread nutrient co-limitation, which has implications for global ocean models and predictions about nutrient limitation.
VIMS study may add to resource managers' toolbox
A VIMS study suggests that a common measure of fish health can help gauge the overall health of the Chesapeake Bay. The researchers found that annual trends in fish condition were surprisingly consistent among diverse species, with correlations between condition and changes in water quality, food availability, and climatic factors.
Virus reprograms ocean plankton
Researchers from the University of Exeter have discovered a virus that can reprogram ocean plankton to absorb certain nutrients, potentially affecting carbon storage in the ocean. The study found that infected phytoplankton cells become more competitive and grow faster before being killed by the virus.
How one man's shoes help NASA communicate water clarity issues
NASA has adopted a 'sneaker depth' method to visualize and communicate water clarity, inspired by Bernie Fowler's data. The algorithm relates satellite measurements of red light reflection to physical measurements of shoe visibility.
The foundation of aquatic life can rapidly adapt to global warming, new research suggests
Research suggests that phytoplankton can rapidly adapt to global warming by increasing photosynthesis rates, leading to increased oxygen production and a more stable food supply for aquatic life. The study monitored green algae in waters warmed by four degrees centigrade above ambient temperature over ten years.
From tiny phytoplankton to massive tuna
A new study by Nereus Program researchers found that climate change will affect energy flows in ocean ecosystems, leading to decreased fish catch in some areas. The authors used a mathematical model to explore the processes that mediate the transfer of energy from phytoplankton growth to fish growth.
Newly discovered phytoplankton groups appear to favor warmer oceans
Two new phytoplankton groups have been found to favor warmer oceans, defying the expectation that eukaryotic species decline in these conditions. The discovery was made using over 6,000 RNA sequences and time-series sampling, providing insight into future ocean ecosystems.
Space-based lidar shines new light on plankton
A space-based sensor has provided a continuous look at phytoplankton boom-bust cycles, revealing they are more tied to the push-pull relationship between predators and prey. The study suggests blooms start when growth rates are slow, not when rates reach a threshold rate.
Earth's magnetic fields could track ocean heat, NASA study proposes
Scientists at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center are developing a new method to track ocean heat using satellite magnetic field observations. The approach relies on the electrical conductivity of seawater and its temperature fluctuations, which can be detected from subtle changes in Earth's magnetic field lines.
East Asian dust deposition impacts on marine biological productivity
A recent study found significant correlations between East Asian dust events and chlorophyll a concentration in the North Pacific Ocean and Chinese marginal seas. Dust fertilization on marine biological productivity was also observed, with phytoplankton growth related to dust deposition in the Yellow Sea.
New 13-year study tracks effects of changing ocean temperature on phytoplankton
A new multiyear study found that warmer ocean temperatures cause Synechococcus cells to divide faster, leading to earlier annual blooms. Despite this, the overall size of the bloom remains stable, and the balance between producers and consumers is maintained through a tight lockstep.
Temperature, not predatory pressures, drives plankton abundance
A new study reveals that temperature-induced increases in cell division are the primary driver of phytoplankton blooms. The analysis of nearly 13 years of data from an in situ device found a direct correlation between temperature and cell division rates, with losses due to viruses and predators following closely behind.
The oceans are full of barriers for small organisms
Researchers found that short-lived physical barriers in the ocean caused by temperature or salinity changes influence phytoplankton communities. This provides insight into maintaining high biodiversity of phytoplankton and its impact on the food web.
NASA's KORUS-OC campaign takes to seas
The KORUS-OC expedition will study the daily changes of the seas surrounding South Korea, focusing on phytoplankton and their role in Earth's carbon cycle. The research aims to better understand how oxygen and carbon flow between the ocean and atmosphere.
Ocean currents push phytoplankton -- and pollution -- around the globe faster than thought
Phytoplankton can spread globally in under a decade, while pollution can become a problem within years. The study's model, using Dijkstra's algorithm, confirmed travel times for real-world objects like plastic debris and radioactive particles.
NASA examines El Nino's impact on ocean's food source
Researchers map phytoplankton blooms using NASA satellite data, revealing El Nino's effect on the marine food web. Phytoplankton populations drop during El Nino events due to disrupted upwelling, impacting fisheries and fish populations.
Major source of methanol in the ocean identified
Researchers at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution discover that phytoplankton, microscopic plant-like organisms, produce massive amounts of methanol in the ocean, rivaling or exceeding land-based production. This finding challenges previous thinking on oceanic methanol sources and has implications for biofuel applications.
Microorganisms duke it out within algal blooms
A new study reveals that algal blooms like 'red tides' are home to a complex war between microscopic organisms, with the dominant species changing daily. The research sheds light on the ocean's role in carbon fixation and climate change.
Research explains near-island biological hotspots in barren ocean basins
A study published in Nature Communications reveals that coral reef islands and atolls create 'biological hotspots' in the Pacific Ocean due to increased phytoplankton biomass, supporting enhanced food-webs and local fisheries. The Island Mass Effect drives ecosystem productivity and has significant implications for resource management.
Ocean oases: How islands support more sea-life
The Island Mass Effect hypothesis explains why seas surrounding islands are more productive. Phytoplankton growth creates a self-sustaining cycle, supporting life from small fish to top predators.
In Gulf of Mexico, microbes thrive above natural oil seeps
In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists found phytoplankton populations double in size above natural oil seeps in the Gulf of Mexico. Turbulence from rising oil and gas bubbles brings up deep-water nutrients that phytoplankton need to grow.
Giant icebergs play key role in removing CO2 from the atmosphere
A new study reveals that giant icebergs in the Southern Ocean contribute significantly to carbon sequestration, with enhanced phytoplankton productivity extending hundreds of kilometers beyond the iceberg's length. This process helps slow global warming by storing atmospheric carbon dioxide.
Phytoplankton like it hot: Warming boosts biodiversity and photosynthesis in phytoplankton
Researchers found that warming ponds had 70% more species and higher rates of photosynthesis in phytoplankton, which could remove more CO2 from the atmosphere. Phytoplankton communities were more species-rich and dominated by larger species, with increased biodiversity and evenness.
Tiny phytoplankton have big influence on climate change
Phytoplankton play a crucial role in the ocean's food web and contribute to climate change by removing carbon from the atmosphere. Research reveals complex patterns of response to changing variables like nutrients, light, and ocean stratification, with predictions that global phytoplankton production will decrease.
Global warming disaster could suffocate life on planet Earth, research shows
Researchers from the University of Leicester warn that a six-degree Celsius increase in ocean temperature could stop oxygen production by phytoplankton, leading to catastrophic consequences. This would result in the depletion of atmospheric oxygen on a global scale, causing mass mortality of animals and humans.
Don't forget plankton in climate change models, says study
Phytoplankton subjected to warmed water initially failed to thrive but evolved tolerance to temperatures expected by the end of the century. The shift enabled them to convert carbon dioxide into new biomass and improve models describing ecological effects of climate change.
Increases in certain algae could impact carbon cycle
Research suggests certain types of carbon-intensive algae are flourishing as carbon pumps, removing CO2 from the atmosphere. A shift in phytoplankton dominance occurred over the past millennium, with a more recent transition happening in less than 200 years.
Harmful algal blooms and climate change: Preparing to forecast the future
International workshop highlights need for better forecasting of long-term trends in harmful algal blooms, which threaten wildlife and economies. Research priorities focus on understanding phytoplankton community structure and developing ecological models to prepare for future scenarios.
Griffith Researchers show ocean response to Red Dawn
A 2009 dust storm known as Red Dawn transported soil out to sea, causing a significant marine biological response in the Tasman Sea. The study found that phytoplankton growth was stimulated by iron-rich dust, with positive chlorophyll anomalies reaching up to 0.5mg m-3.
Intensity of desert storms may affect ocean phytoplankton
A new MIT study finds that large seasonal changes in desert dust can dramatically affect surface phytoplankton, which rely on iron as a main nutrient for growth. The team determined that iron has a very short residence time in ocean waters, lasting only six months before sinking into the deep ocean.
Ocean algae will cope well in varying climates, study shows
Researchers found that phytoplankton exposed to fluctuating CO2 levels adapted more to future changes than those grown in stable conditions. However, the adapted algae evolved more and were smaller, potentially impacting marine animal feeding and carbon sequestration.
Phytoplankton, reducing greenhouse gases or amplifying Arctic warming?
A recent study by POSTECH researchers suggests that phytoplankton may amplify Arctic warming under greenhouse conditions, contrary to previous assumptions. The growth of phytoplankton is triggered by the melting of sea ice, leading to a positive feedback loop that warms the ocean surface and amplifies climate change.
Swirling currents deliver phytoplankton carbon to ocean depths
A study published in Science reveals that swirling ocean currents, known as eddies, play a significant role in delivering carbon from phytoplankton blooms to the deep ocean. The research, led by Melissa Omand, found that these currents transport small, non-sinking phytoplankton cells to depths of up to 1,000 meters.
Spring plankton bloom hitches ride to sea's depths on ocean eddies
A massive spring plankton bloom in the North Atlantic Ocean is transported downward by ocean eddies, releasing oxygen and absorbing carbon dioxide. This 'biological pump' helps the oceans absorb CO2 from the atmosphere, mitigating climate change.