Articles tagged with Seawater
Researchers have discovered a previously unknown mechanism by which microbes boost plants' ability to survive in salty conditions. Pseudomonad bacteria stimulate the production of lignin, a tough substance found in plant cell walls, helping plants withstand environmental stress.
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.
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 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.
Scientists have developed a novel catalyst that selectively repels chloride ions while accelerating oxygen evolution in alkaline seawater electrolysis. The optimized NiFe-LDH/Ce(OH)CO3 system delivers exceptional catalytic metrics and achieves energy efficiency of 68.59% at 500 mA cm-2.
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.
A new study provides a solutions-focused pathway to implementing the High Seas Treaty, highlighting the need for enhanced data resources and sharing. The researchers identify major scientific and technical developments that can help address challenges in biodiversity monitoring and connectivity between areas.
Researchers have developed a new method for cleaning oil spills using massive fire whirls, which can burn through crude oil nearly twice as fast as in-situ fire pools. The results show that fire whirls produce 40% less soot and consume up to 95% of the fuel, leaving fewer harmful particles behind.
A new study reveals that offshore wind farms can create complex wake structures that interact with each other, affecting surface currents and sediment transport. The research suggests that turbines spaced farther apart can reduce turbulence caused by tidal wakes, leading to optimized wind farm designs.
Researchers systematically analyze recent advances in electrochemical strategies designed to extract uranyl from complex aqueous environments. Electro-adsorption, electrocatalysis, and photo-electrocatalysis approaches offer a potentially energy-efficient alternative to traditional chemical separation methods.
Researchers at CU Boulder have introduced a solution to improving desalination plant performance by observing in real-time membrane fouling using SRS. The technique helps maximize filtration efficiency and reduce energy use, making it crucial for ensuring global access to clean water.
A new study published in Nature Geoscience shows the key role of Antarctic Bottom Water in the transition from the last Ice Age. The expansion of AABW played a central role in releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which helped reduce atmospheric CO2 concentrations.
Researchers create a new material that dramatically boosts uranium extraction efficiency, addressing one of the key challenges in sustainable nuclear energy. The study introduces a special type of covalent organic framework (COF) that shows record-high efficiency and selectivity in isolating uranium from seawater.
Researchers have discovered that certain seawater ions can be intentionally utilized to enhance electrochemical performance, rather than hindering it. This involves carefully designing catalysts and electrolytes to mitigate the negative effects of these ions while maximizing their benefits.
A new study has analyzed a rare flooding event in the Maldives in July 2022 and found it could become a far more common occurrence in the future. By 2050, predicted rises in sea levels, coupled with increased extreme weather events, may result in such flooding happening every two to three years.
Researchers found that sunlight can transform synthetic fabrics into tiny plastic fibers, releasing thousands of microscopic fragments. The study shows that fabric color and dye chemistry significantly impact microfiber generation, highlighting the need for sustainable textile design.
A team developed an artificial ocean carbon recycling system that captures CO2 from seawater and directly converts it into succinic acid, achieving a carbon capture efficiency of 70%. The system's cost is competitive with existing state-of-the-art technologies.
Scientists at the University of Surrey have discovered a simple way to boost sodium-ion battery performance by leaving water in key component. The new material, nanostructured sodium vanadate hydrate, showed significant improvements in charge storage, charging speed, and stability, even in saltwater.
Researchers at University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa identified Caulobacter inopinatus, a previously unknown species found in seawater collected near Oʻahu's south shore. The discovery highlights the connection between land and sea ecosystems through microbial exchanges.
A study published in Nature Geoscience found that North American ice sheets caused over 30 feet of global sea-level rise between 8,000 and 9,000 years ago. This discovery challenges decades of research and has significant implications for understanding climate change.
Researchers developed chloride-resistant Ru nanocatalysts to overcome limitations in seawater electrolysis. The g-C3N4-mediated pyrolysis strategy creates a crystalline-amorphous junction with ultrafine Ru dispersion, enabling efficient and durable hydrogen production.
Researchers at PolyU have developed a novel technique to measure global ocean mass change, revealing a 90 mm surge in sea-level rise over the past 30 years. The study attributes this acceleration to increased ocean mass and land ice melt, particularly in Greenland.
A new study published in Earth's Future journal reveals that sea-level projections from the 1990s were remarkably accurate, with global sea-level rise averaging about one eighth of an inch per year. The researchers compared these projections with recent satellite measurements and found a remarkable match.
Researchers found that ocean anomalies traveling northward affect the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation in the Nordic Seas, controlling its strength. The study suggests that these anomalies can be monitored using satellite data, providing a cost-effective way to track climate changes.
Researchers have introduced a new method to overcome defect limitations and enhance the performance of CZTS photocathodes, delivering a record half-cell solar-to-hydrogen efficiency of 9.91% in natural seawater. The device also sustains high photocurrent and exhibits corrosion resistance against chloride ions and dissolved oxygen.
Researchers found that sewage spills from land to sea coincided with winds of at least 6.5m/s on 178 days within a two-year period, potentially sending microplastics into the air. The study suggests that coastal towns and cities may be exposed to billions of airborne microplastic particles.
A study published in Scientific Reports found that large rain events combined with sea level rise could cause severe flooding across 70% of Waikīkī, contaminating stormwater inlets and disrupting transportation. By 2050, the entire Waikīkī storm drainage system is expected to fail, posing a health hazard from contaminated water.
University of Leicester researchers analyzed coral cores to spot the start of industrial deforestation in Malaysian rainforest and its impact on coastal ecosystems. The study found that sediment concentrations remained low before 1950, but increased after, indicating enhanced soil erosion due to deforestation.
A groundbreaking study reveals that small zooplankton like copepods and krill enhance carbon sequestration through seasonal migrations. These tiny creatures store around 65 million tonnes of carbon annually in the deep ocean.
A USC-developed shipboard system using limestone and seawater can remove up to half of carbon dioxide emitted from shipping vessels, cutting maritime CO2 emissions by 50%. The process mimics a natural chemical reaction in the ocean, where CO2 is absorbed into water pumped onboard and then neutralized through a bed of limestone.
Researchers from Binghamton University confirm the long-held 'urban myth' that saltwater dries out skin, increasing tissue stiffness and stress. A simple solution to alleviate tightness is taking a shower after coming out of the ocean.
Research shows that island rivers shape reef passes, allowing seawater and nutrients to flow in and out. The locations of reef passes align with where rivers funnel out from an island's coast, providing circulation throughout the reef.
Longer winter sea ice duration is associated with a 20% increase in atmospheric CO2 absorption by the Southern Ocean. Sea ice protects the ocean from strong winds, allowing it to absorb more CO2 during winter.
The global ocean has experienced a significant reduction in the depth of its photic zones, home to 90% of all marine life, leading to widespread ocean darkening. This change could have profound implications for the planet's marine species and ecosystem services.
Researchers warn that artificial oxygen input cannot replace comprehensive water protection strategies. Technical approaches have shown promise, but risks include intensifying greenhouse gases and disrupting marine habitats. Climate protection and reducing nutrient inputs remain crucial for mitigating ocean oxygen loss.
A recent study on the Haenyeo divers from Korea found that they have distinct genetic adaptations, including gene variants associated with cold tolerance and decreased blood pressure. The researchers also discovered two unique gene variants in the Haenyeo population that may help them cope with the pressures of diving.
A new study finds that ocean-based carbon dioxide removal (CDR) and storage in German waters is feasible but with limitations, such as local marine conditions and required materials, energy, and infrastructure. Only five methods were shortlisted for implementation in German North Sea and Baltic waters.
A study found that sediment resuspension triggered by trawling and natural processes releases significant amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere through pyrite oxidation. The research reveals that protecting sensitive seafloor areas with fine-grained sediments is crucial to maintain the region's carbon sink capacity.
Researchers developed a novel protein, LSUBP, to enhance uranium extraction from seawater. The engineered protein achieves high adsorption capacity, offering a promising new material for effective uranium extraction.
Researchers from Osaka Metropolitan University developed an explainable AI model for ship navigation that explains the basis for its decisions and intentions using numerical values. This technology aims to increase trust among maritime workers and contribute to the realization of unmanned ships.
A new numerical computer model tracks how pollution travels through Galveston Bay, helping scientists understand water movement in estuaries. The model is critical for evaluating climate variability and sea level fluctuation impacts on coastal communities, guiding better decisions to keep water clean and prevent flooding.
A new study by MIT scientists finds that extreme storm tides will increase tenfold for Bangladesh, with what was once a 100-year event now striking every 10 years by the end of the century. The country's densely populated coastal regions are expected to experience more frequent and severe flooding events as a result.
A new database of 400 years of sightings compiled by researchers at Colorado State University may help anticipate when and where milky seas will occur. The archive includes eyewitness reports, satellite data, and individual accounts submitted to the Marine Observer Journal.
A Cornell University-led collaboration has developed a low-cost method to produce carbon-free 'green' hydrogen via solar-powered electrolysis of seawater. The process produces 200 milliliters of hydrogen per hour with 12.6% energy efficiency directly from seawater under natural sunlight.
A multidisciplinary survey in the eastern Indian sector of the Southern Ocean found that the southern boundary of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current has shifted southward, causing a change in water temperature and mac zooplankton composition. The survey also estimated the biomass of Antarctic krill in the area, with comparable results t...
A new computer modeling tool suggests that Bronze Age people may have traveled directly over the open ocean between Denmark and Norway. The simulations indicate that such trips were possible, but required a boat with specific capabilities and good weather forecasting.
PET-based glitter microplastics promote calcium carbonate crystallisation in seawater, altering natural biomineralisation processes in marine organisms. The study's findings suggest that glitter microplastics can degrade rapidly, releasing smaller fragments that are easily ingested by marine life.
Research finds that strengthened westerly winds enhance clockwise oceanic circulations, transporting warm seawater and causing accelerated ice sheet melting in East Antarctica. This study's findings improve future sea level rise projections.
Researchers developed a biomimetic adsorbent inspired by the natural porous structure of the Chinese sweet gum tree's fruit. The hierarchical nano-trap framework significantly enhanced ion diffusion and increased uranium adsorption capacity, outperforming competitive ions in real seawater tests.
A new study analyzes nearly four decades of deep ocean observations to reveal significant cooling and freshening of deep water in the Subtropical North Atlantic. The results suggest that warmer, saltier deep waters may reach the region within the next decade, potentially influencing large-scale sea level changes.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a system that actively removes microplastics from water in a single cycle. The microcleaners, made from biodegradable materials, use the Marangoni effect to self-disperse and capture microplastics, which are then collected by skimming.
Research suggests the Earth's oceans were green 2.4 billion years ago due to iron precipitation, leading to a new understanding of ancient photosynthetic organisms and their potential for life beyond Earth. The discovery could aid in the search for extraterrestrial life by identifying green oceans as a possible indicator.
Researchers studied Aurora Subglacial Basin's subglacial hydrology, finding dynamic rivers that change over time. This new insight may alter predictions of rising sea levels and the role of subglacial water in ice dynamics.
A 30-meter sediment core from the Great Blue Hole in Belize provides the longest recorded storm frequency data for the Atlantic, with 574 storm events over 5,700 years. The research reveals a steady increase in tropical storms and hurricanes in the southwestern Caribbean due to climate change.
Antarctic krill exhibit sudden changes in behavior when exposed to the water-borne smell of penguin poo, showing increased speed, turns, and reduced foraging efficiency. This 'zigzagging' is an avoidance reaction that may increase their odds of survival in a swarm.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a new carbon-negative building material that can be used to manufacture concrete, cement, plaster, and paint. By converting CO2 into solid, durable materials using electricity and seawater, the material not only stores CO2 but also produces clean hydrogen gas.
Researchers have optimized an electrochemical method called seawater splitting to trap and sequester carbon dioxide into stable solid mineral deposits. The method allows for maximal mineral yield with minimal energy use, making it a promising pathway for transforming carbon dioxide into useful substances.