Articles tagged with Sea Floor
A newly installed deep-water pipeline has led to a significant increase in the abundance and diversity of marine life on the Angolan coast. The study found that the pipeline provided shelter and trapped organic matter, which animals feed on, resulting in an immediate boost to sea-floor animals.
The Gloucester, a warship that sank in 1682 while carrying James Stuart, has been discovered off the Norfolk coast. The wreck is significant due to its age and political context, offering insights into 17th-century social, maritime, and political history.
A recent study reveals that historic wooden shipwrecks serve as habitats for diverse deep-sea microorganisms, surpassing the impact of naturally occurring geological structures. The study, conducted in the Gulf of Mexico, found that wood type and distance from the wreck site influenced bacterial diversity.
The International Bathymetric Chart of the Southern Ocean v2 provides the most detailed seafloor map of the region, with new data covering twice the area of its predecessor. This chart will help scientists better understand ocean currents and climate change.
Research at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology finds that 98% of ocean plastic is buried in the seafloor, with coastal habitats like mangroves also significant sink sites. The discovery resolves a mystery and has significant implications for human health and UN Sustainable Goal 14.
A new study published in PNAS reveals that a specific bacterial compound, lipopolysaccharide, induces larval marine tubeworms to settle on the seafloor and undergo metamorphosis. The discovery offers hope for coral reef restoration, mariculture, and biofouling prevention.
A large-scale international study, led by Tel Aviv University's Dr. Omri Bronstein, found that many species of echinoids, including sea urchins, survived a mass extinction event 50 million years earlier than thought. The findings suggest that estimates of evolutionary timelines may err by tens of millions of years.
Paleontologists discovered sets of fossils representing three new ichthyosaurs, including the largest ichthyosaur tooth ever found. The discovery includes a 15-meter-long ichthyosaur and the largest trunk vertebra in Europe, rivaling the 21-meter long Shastasaurus sikkanniensis.
Researchers develop new procedure to study microorganisms in shallow-water hydrothermal systems, using incubators on the sea floor to study dynamic communities. They reveal key roles in carbon fixation and adaptation under changing conditions.
Researchers found that seafloor spreading rates have slowed down globally over the past 19 million years, with an average slowdown of 40%. This decrease is linked to increased friction between colliding tectonic plates and may be driven by subduction zones. The study's findings could help contextualize long-term changes in the atmosphere.
New research suggests diverse microbial life existed on Earth at least 3.75 billion years ago, dating back to a time when the planet was still forming. The study, led by UCL researchers, analyzed ancient rock formations and found evidence of complex structures that could not have been created through chemical reactions alone.
Researchers discovered a new venom compound in deep-water cone snails, similar to the hormone somatostatin, with possible pharmaceutical applications for treating chronic pain and other human maladies. The study highlights the rich biochemical diversity of animal venoms and the need to explore new compounds.
A new study documents how thawing permafrost is affecting the seafloor in the Arctic Ocean, revealing dramatic changes including deep sinkholes and ice-filled hills. Researchers used advanced underwater mapping technology to track these changes, establishing a baseline for future monitoring.
An international research team analyzed the microbial community living on the carapaces of deep-sea squat lobsters, finding a diverse microbiome that likely provides benefits to both organisms. The microbes utilize energy-rich chemical compounds, while the squat lobsters may use them as a source of nutrients or have them remove toxic s...
Scientists have discovered that the onset of microbial fertilizer factories on the Earth's seafloor roughly 2.6 billion years ago was a crucial step in the rise of oxygen levels during the Great Oxidation Event. This recycling process fueled photosynthetic bacteria, which increased oxygen production and paved the way for complex life t...
A new study by Oregon State University found that kelp forests tend towards stability in areas with high substrate complexity, which retains 'drift algae' that urchins prefer to eat. This suggests that restoration efforts targeting these areas could create 'hotspots of resilience.'
Researchers found that coral species with faster skeletal crystallization rates are more resilient to ocean acidification. A team of UW-Madison students contributed to the analysis and were co-authors on the study. The findings have significant implications for developing mitigation strategies against ocean acidification.
Researchers found a surprising and active microbial community in deep, hot subseafloor sediment samples. The microbes thrive under conditions that suggest temperatures near the limit for life, with high metabolic rates per cell.
Researchers at Technical University of Munich have developed a new neutron-based method to detect clogs in underwater pipelines non-destructively. This approach uses prompt gamma neutron activation analysis to measure hydrogen concentration, allowing for the detection of blockages and hydrate formation.
A University of Washington team has discovered 349 methane gas plumes bubbling up from the seafloor in Puget Sound. The bubbles are likely connected to underlying geology and may be a natural source of methane, rather than human activity.
Researchers have discovered a vast icefish breeding colony in the Antarctic Weddell Sea, with an estimated 60 million active nests spanning over 240 square kilometers. The colony represents a significant biomass of more than 60,000 tons and provides insight into a globally unique ecosystem.
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.
Researchers estimate that 4.7 million cubic meters of large wood enter oceans annually, negatively impacting coastal and marine environments. The study aims to raise awareness about the consequences of interrupting this natural process.
A new study from the University of Bath is shedding light on the behavior of saline solutions under extreme conditions, a crucial step towards carbon storage in deep-sea aquifers. The research uses neutron diffraction to examine the interaction between salt ions and water molecules at high pressures and temperatures.
Researchers from Louisiana State University uncover salt workers' residences and outdoor areas where fish were salted and dried. The discovery sheds light on the organization of the salt industry and its importance to inland cities during the Classic Maya civilization.
MARUM researchers simulate alternative hydrocarbon formation through reduction of acetic acid, proposing a new explanation for unusual isotope patterns. The findings provide insight into the rapid thermal alteration of sedimentary organic matter and its role in the global carbon cycle.
A team of scientists at MBARI has developed an autonomous robotic rover, Benthic Rover II, to study the deep sea's role in cycling carbon. The rover provides long-term monitoring of the coupling between the water column and seafloor, critical for predicting climate change impacts.
Researchers discovered that certain microorganisms can form elemental carbon without high temperatures and pressures, challenging current scientific understanding. The formation of this carbon is believed to be linked to the symbiotic relationship between archaea and their partners.
Scientists at UEA have identified a way to determine the age of lobsters using DNA. The method is based on quantifying DNA changes that accumulate with age within a lobster. This breakthrough could help manage lobster fisheries more sustainably by providing accurate estimates of lobster ages.
Researchers have discovered six new species of glass sponges and two previously unknown species in the waters off New Zealand, revealing a more diverse ecosystem than previously thought. The findings provide important data for protecting these unique habitats from deep-sea mining and fishing.
A study by University of Plymouth researchers found that seabed habitats and species recover more quickly following extreme storms than from the impacts of bottom-towed fishing. The research examined the impact of the 2013/14 winter storms on the Lyme Bay Marine Protected Area, off southern England's coast.
Researchers have mapped significant geothermal heat beneath Thwaites Glacier in West Antarctica, revealing a new potential weak spot in the ice sheet's stability. This heat flow, estimated to be up to 150 milliwatts per square meter, could lead to easier sliding of the glacier and potentially accelerate its collapse.
Researchers collected over 300 samples from the seafloor to study biodiversity, mineral makeup, and ecological effects of toxic waste dumping. They discovered a new area of methane seepage and a whale fall, providing insights into the impact of human actions on deep-sea ecosystems.
A University of Delaware study of ocean rocks has informed earthquake science by understanding the properties of underwater faults and their impact on seismic activity. Researchers have found that seawater infiltration in these faults weakens the rock, allowing it to flow faster and potentially reducing the risk of large earthquakes.
Geophysicists use anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) and geochemical analyses to map out magma pathways along over 100 km of the Oman spreading axis. This project aims to provide greater understanding of dynamic processes occurring at depth beneath the seafloor.
The project aims to identify potential environmental costs of deep-sea activities to inform responsible use. It will connect diverse science and policy experts in industry, academia, and private institutes to guide sustainable practices.
A new study found that sinking organic matter influences the types of signals preserved in sediments, leading to altered geochemical signatures. This discovery can provide new insights into past local environmental conditions and modify our understanding of global biogeochemical cycling.
Researchers have collected high-pressure data from deep-sea boreholes in a subduction zone, revealing pressures up to 5 megapascals greater than typical hydrostatic pressures. This discovery sheds light on the origins of slow earthquakes and their potential role in triggering larger earthquakes.
Researchers discover specially adapted microorganisms that can use methane as an energy source in the hot seafloor sediments of Guaymas Basin. These microbes play a crucial role in carbon cycling and support a diverse food web, with implications for the deep-sea ecosystem.
Researchers discovered methane-eating microbes in seafloor carbonate rocks that consume methane 50 times faster than in sediment, highlighting their crucial role in regulating Earth's temperatures. The porous nature of these rocks facilitates the growth and exchange of microbes, allowing them to thrive and maintain high metabolic rates.
A new Yale study finds that seabed burrowers were helpful in creating conditions for complex animal life to expand. Bioturbation altered the chemical makeup of the sea and oxygen levels, fostering the emergence of increasingly productive ecosystems during the Cambrian explosion.
Researchers from Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology and Weizmann Institute of Science explain how methane carbon isotopes behave differently than expected in the deep sea. They found that sulfate availability governs the isotope effects in anaerobic methane oxidation, leading to 13C-depleted methane.
Researchers found methane-oxidizing bacteria are 2-3 times more active in sheltered depressions off Western Svalbard during summer. The study improves understanding of landscape and seasonal influence on microbial communities and greenhouse gas balance.
Researchers found pyrosomes form dense blooms that impact food web dynamics and contribute to organic carbon movement. They also provide habitat for other animals, including jellyfish and amphipods.
Scientists have developed a new method to assess earthquake and tsunami hazards in offshore subduction zones, finding that hazards might be systematically underestimated. The study's findings have important implications for the mitigation of risk in affected areas worldwide.
A new study finds that the Red Sea's seafloor spreading began 13 million years ago, with most of the basin composed of ancient oceanic crust. This discovery challenges existing geological models and sheds light on the region's formation history.
A team of scientists discovered that microorganisms in the subseafloor are active and adaptable, able to survive on low-carbon conditions. They use carbon dioxide as a building block without converting it into organic carbon first.
A team of scientists has discovered that sponges leave trails on the sea floor in the Arctic deep sea, leading to speculation about their possible active movement. The findings, published in Current Biology, challenge previous assumptions that most sponges are attached or passively moved by ocean currents.
Sandia National Laboratories has successfully analyzed the first seafloor dataset from under Arctic sea ice using a new underwater technique. The team detected natural and human-caused activities, including ice quakes and transportation activities, while also monitoring for climate signals and marine life.
The 'MiningImpact' project monitors the first in-situ test of a prototype collector vehicle, assessing environmental impacts of deep-sea mining on ecosystems. The study aims to inform improved standards for mining codes, focusing on ecosystem health and biodiversity loss.
Deeply subducted serpentinite rocks are found to carry surface water as far as 700 kilometers into the mantle, allowing scientists to trace material exchange. The presence of these rocks confirms a long-suspected pathway for deep-Earth recycling.
Researchers investigated methane hydrate deposit in deep-sea fan of Danube in western Black Sea, finding dynamic situation related to Black Sea development since last ice age. The study suggests gas hydrates decompose due to salinity, pressure, and temperature changes, with implications for climate change
Fish can have scaled, armoured or naked skin; researchers found that only naked fish can develop a bony armour. The protective state of their skin influenced their choice of open water or sea floor habitats.
A new study published in Geology indicates that Arctic ice melt can trigger methane releases from buried reserves. Researchers measured carbon isotopes in ancient shells and found evidence of violent methane spurts during past sea-ice melt events, suggesting similar releases may occur again. The findings highlight the importance of con...
Iron, a micronutrient crucial for phytoplankton, is being released from deep ocean sediments, providing a new source of nutrition for drifting marine organisms. This finding challenges previous expectations and has significant implications for studying the ocean carbon cycle and managing the marine environment.
An international team of researchers has discovered a new type of basalt beneath the Pacific Ocean, which was formed during large and exceptionally hot volcanic eruptions. The discovery suggests that ocean floor eruptions sourced in the Earth's mantle were even hotter and more voluminous than previously thought.
Researchers developed a new method to model complex earthquake rupture processes affecting systems of multiple faults. The approach was applied to the magnitude 7.9 Gulf of Alaska earthquake, revealing irregular behavior linked to pre-existing ocean floor features, including fracture zones and plate-bending faults.
A new study published in Nature reveals that transform faults are actively involved in shaping the ocean floors, contradicting a previous assumption. The research found that these faults cause extension of the seafloor and magmatism at their outer corners.
A groundbreaking global study maps ocean areas that, if strongly protected, can help solve climate, food and biodiversity crises. The research identified specific regions that could provide multiple benefits, including safeguarding nearly 80% of marine species and preventing the release of one billion tons of CO2 into the ocean.
An international study has identified a new fossil record of giant predatory worms in marine sediments from Taiwan, revealing they inhabited the seafloor until 5.3 million years ago. The worms, similar to today's Bobbit worm, lived in burrows and had strong jaws to capture prey.