Articles tagged with Seawater
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.
Stanford researchers have devised a way to generate hydrogen fuel from seawater using solar power, electrodes, and saltwater from San Francisco Bay. The new method uses electrolysis to separate hydrogen and oxygen gas from seawater via electricity, overcoming the limitations of existing methods that rely on purified water.
Researchers analyzed fossil pollen and sedimentary records to study Holocene climate variability's impact on the northeastern US. The findings suggest rapid ecological changes in response to changing climate conditions.
Tropical Cyclone Idai was detected by NASA's Aqua satellite on March 11, 2019, with powerful thunderstorms wrapping around an eye obscured by high clouds. The storm was forecast to make landfall near Beira, Mozambique as a Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 125 knots.
Researchers warn that acidification of the Southern Ocean will disrupt marine food webs due to a layer of corrosive water forming below the surface. The new shallow horizon would reduce viable pteropod habitat, impacting global fisheries and ocean ecosystems.
A new study found that a slowing of ocean circulation in Antarctica's waters drastically altered global ice age cycles, making them colder and longer. The mid-Pleistocene transition, with no obvious orbital cause, remains largely unexplained.
Tropical Cyclone Haleh intensified into a hurricane-force storm with cloud top temperatures as cold as minus 63 degrees Fahrenheit, indicating strong storms with the capability to produce heavy rainfall. The storm is expected to continue weakening before becoming extra-tropical in five days.
A study reveals that plastics are the main component of marine litter in Spanish waters, with high densities in the Alboran Sea. The research also shows that waste accumulation has remained stable in some areas, while others have seen a decrease in density over time.
Researchers found that cyanobacterial diazotrophs drive nitrogen fixation in coastal areas, fueling photosynthesis and CO2 uptake. The new technique allowed for near-continuous analysis of N2 fixation, revealing higher rates in coastal waters than previously thought.
Researchers use X-ray nanotomography to study the 3D structure of coccolithophore calcite shells, revealing correlations between shell mass and organic template size. The findings provide new insights into the role of these tiny microorganisms in the global carbon cycle.
Researchers found that filling and draining of meltwater lakes on Antarctic ice shelves causes them to flex, which can lead to instability. The study supports the idea that recent ice shelf breakup was triggered by large amounts of surface meltwater produced in response to atmospheric warming.
A new wave energy technology developed by University of Edinburgh and Italian engineers uses flexible rubber membranes to generate electricity from wave motion. The device has the potential to replace conventional designs and produce clean energy for thousands of homes, with potential deployment in Scottish waters within decades.
The Baltic Sea is home to large quantities of sunken munitions, posing an environmental risk. Researchers have provided guidelines and decision-making support to help address this issue.
A new study reveals that sea snakes in dry regions rely on freshwater lenses formed on the ocean's surface to quench their thirst. Researchers found that only a portion of the captured snakes accepted the offered freshwater after rainfall began.
An international team has quantified the entire trench-wide volume of marine sediments remobilized by the magnitude 9 Tohoku-oki earthquake in 2011, transporting over 1 Tg of carbon to ocean depths. The study highlights the importance of deep-sea trenches in the global carbon cycle.
Researchers at University of Queensland found that corals from the 'twilight zone' can grow faster in shallow light environments, offering a potential solution to preserving coral habitats. The study suggests that mesophotic corals can thrive with limited light, challenging current views of these deep-water ecosystems.
A new study simulates the effects of melting ice sheets on ocean temperatures and circulation patterns, as well as air temperatures, by 2100. The research predicts significant disruptions to ocean currents and increased warming around the world.
Scientists from Cardiff University propose that volcanic activity played a significant role in the emergence of the Isthmus of Panama, which formed around 2.8 million years ago. This discovery sheds light on one of Earth's most significant geological events, affecting global weather patterns and biodiversity.
The first 'OSNAP' results show that deep water formation in the Labrador Sea plays a minor role in Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) variability. Instead, deep waters moving south through the abyssal basins east of Greenland dominate AMOC variability.
A new international study reveals that the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation is primarily driven by cooling waters west of Europe, with significant implications for predicting future climate impacts. The study found that the overturning variability in this region was seven times greater than in the Labrador Sea.
A new study finds that a sea star wasting disease and warmer sea surface temperatures led to the dramatic decline of sunflower starfish in both nearshore and deep waters. This collapse has broader effects on kelp beds and other marine ecosystems.
Researchers from UC3M and Imperial College London have developed a new theory that explains the behavior of liquids and gases at the microscopic scale. The study reveals that the arrangement of atoms exhibits certain mathematical properties called resonances, which provide a consistent description of liquid-gas fluctuations.
A new study found that Greenland's southwest region is losing ice at an alarming rate, contributing significantly to sea level rise. This finding has serious implications for coastal cities and island nations vulnerable to rising sea levels.
Research reveals over half of global groundwater flows won't respond to climate change until after 100 years, posing long-term water security risks for millions. This finding emphasizes the need for proactive water management policies and climate adaptation strategies.
Researchers collected microplastic samples from different levels of the Baltic Sea and identified 33 types of contaminants, including nylon and polyethylene. The new method allows for clear identification of chemical composition, which is crucial for understanding ocean pollution.
The 2018 ocean heat content observations reveal the highest recorded temperature for the global ocean since the 1950s. This increase in heat content is ~100 million times more than the Hiroshima bomb and highlights the consequences of global warming on oceanic water temperatures.
Desalination plants worldwide discharge 142 million cubic meters of hypersaline brine daily, threatening ocean life and ecosystems. The UN calls for improved brine management strategies to meet growing water needs.
A new prototype using solar energy can double the amount of drinking water produced at given solar energy levels. The technology uses 'passive' processes without mechanical or electrical components, making it inexpensive and simple to install.
A team of researchers found that the closure of the Bering Strait due to glaciation caused stratification in the North Pacific, removing CO2 from the atmosphere and leading to global cooling. This discovery provides new insights into the driving factors behind the Mid-Pleistocene Transition.
Researchers found that slight changes in oxygen levels can push zooplankton beyond their limits, leading to potential population crashes and cascading effects on food webs. The study's findings highlight the importance of monitoring ocean oxygen levels due to climate change.
A seismic study spanning the Mariana Trench reveals that subduction zones drag about three times more water into the deep Earth than previously estimated. The observations highlight the important role of subduction zones in the global water cycle, with implications for our understanding of the Earth's interior.
A new study reveals that the Indian Ocean played a far greater role in driving climate change during the last ice age and may disrupt climate again in the future. The research found that changes in ocean temperatures and winds drove radical climate shifts, challenging Pacific-centric theories.
A new type of nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria, UCYN-A, has been found in the cold waters of the Arctic Ocean, challenging traditional assumptions about its presence. This discovery reveals that nitrogen fixation by UCYN-A occurs globally, including in frigid Arctic waters.
A new study reveals a widespread decline in water storage in global endorheic basins, resulting in increased local water stress and potential sea level rise. The researchers found a net water loss of approximately 100 billion tons per year, equivalent to five Great Salt Lakes or three Lake Meads.
Researchers at UIC aim to recreate Titan's oceanic conditions in a laboratory growth chamber to detect potential biosignatures of life on the moon. They plan to grow microorganisms under high pressure and extreme cold to identify characteristic chemical and biological signatures.
A new 'Go Fish' tool confirms marine species presence in water samples within three days, complementing traditional monitoring systems. Experts at the first US National Conference on Marine Environmental DNA discuss the potential of emerging eDNA science to enhance ocean management and inform policy decisions.
A new study has discovered high levels of microplastic contamination in the Falkland Islands and Ascension Island, with some areas showing comparable levels to those around the UK. The research highlights the need for standardized monitoring methods to address this growing environmental concern.
A team of Yale researchers has developed a novel, highly stable nanocoagulant that removes both suspended and dissolved contaminants from water in a single step. This breakthrough promises to significantly improve on centuries-old coagulant-based water treatment methods, addressing global water scarcity.
Scientists discovered that the Atlantic Ocean's connection to the global thermohaline circulation occurred at a climatic tipping point around 59 million years ago. This enabled a more efficient distribution of heat over the planet, marking the end of a long-term cooling phase and the beginning of a new greenhouse period.
A recent study by Hokkaido University scientists investigates the impact of organic compounds from seawater on atmospheric aerosols and cloud formation. The research found that sea spray aerosols contain a larger proportion of humic-like substances, which can suppress cloud formation.
A new study reveals that climate change is impacting human health, food supply, infrastructure, and economy through 467 ways, including warming, drought, heatwaves, wildfires, precipitation, floods, and sea level rise. By 2100, the number of hazards occurring concurrently will increase, making it difficult for people to cope.
Researchers at the University of Delaware have found a previously unknown pathway for heat to travel from the Pacific to the Indian Ocean, bypassing the Indonesian Throughflow. This discovery has significant implications for climate change research and could inform scientists about global warming.
A new seismic study reveals that subduction zones drag about three times more water down into the deep Earth than previously estimated. The observations from the Mariana Trench have important implications for the global water cycle, suggesting that much of the Earth's water is being recycled through volcanic activity.
Research by Rebstock and Boersma found that Río de la Plata's plume affects female penguin body conditions, but not males. A weaker plume may increase prey density and visibility, helping females catch fish.
Researchers found diverse bacterial communities in the aquarium's water that break down waste and nitrates with varying efficiency. The study suggests that mixed bacterial communities may work more efficiently than single-star players, providing a backup option for optimal performance.
Researchers found that corals living in more productive waters consume plankton and other microorganisms for energy, suggesting some corals are less reliant on symbiotic algae. This discovery could aid predictions on coral recovery from bleaching events and inform strategies for identifying resilient reefs.
A new study found that Arctic shrubs can lead to significant degradation of the permafrost layer, creating pathways for increased water and carbon flow. The interactions between shrubs and snow are driving increases in discharges of fresh water into rivers, lakes, and oceans.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that species diversity on the Arctic floor follows a similar pattern to temperate waters, with biomass decreasing as depth increases. The research sheds light on the effects of climate change on vulnerable Arctic waters.
The Beaufort Gyre's speed is controlled by the Arctic ice cover, which acts as a natural governor to slow down the gyre. As the Arctic ice melts, the gyre speeds up, gathering more fresh water from the Arctic's river runoff and melting ice.
Researchers discovered that the Gilthead sea bream was extensively traded from Egypt to Canaan over 2,000 years, with the majority coming from a hypersaline waterbody like the Bardawil lagoon. This ancient trade indicates an early form of commercial fish exploitation.
Scientists have discovered that westerly winds strengthen ocean acidification in Southern Ocean, which is critical for predicting its impact on marine life. The study sheds light on the mechanisms driving this process and provides insights into improving prediction models.
The study reveals that the islanders used coastal groundwater discharge as their main source of drinkable water, making it possible for humans to collect freshwater directly at the coast. This finding is crucial in understanding how the island's large population was sustained.
Researchers at Oregon State University discovered a novel filtering mechanism in manta rays that could improve commercial applications. Manta rays filter zooplankton and microcrustaceans using arrays of leaf-like lobes, allowing them to retain smaller particles while avoiding clogging.
Researchers have developed a solar steam generator that approaches 100% efficiency for producing clean water from seawater. Inspired by origami, the device uses a 3D photothermal material to capture sunlight and evaporate water more efficiently than traditional flat devices.
A new study links rapid deoxygenation in Canada's Gulf of St. Lawrence to large-scale climate change, specifically the shift of the Gulf Stream and Labrador Current. The research confirms that warmer water from the Gulf Stream is entering the St. Lawrence Seaway, causing oxygen levels to drop.
Dr. Annick Bricaud received the 2018 Jerlov Award for her pioneering work in ocean optics, covering experimental and theoretical studies on seawater optical properties. Her research has been widely cited with over 11,400 citations, and she is a pioneer among female researchers in optical oceanography.
The Suomi NPP satellite observed Mangkhut's clear eye, enabling scientists to track the storm's movement. The typhoon is expected to make landfall in the northern Philippines and potentially affect Hong Kong, China.
A new NOAA report finds that 49 million adults participated in ocean and coastal recreation, spending $141 billion and supporting 3.1 million jobs. The Pacific region had the largest participation, with nearly 14 million participants spending over $39 billion.
A study of fossilized teeth shows that marine predators thrived as sea levels rose during the Jurassic Period, while species in shallower waters declined. The research also found that the food chain structure beneath the sea has remained largely unchanged since the Jurassic era.
Researchers discovered that microplastics form stable aggregates with biogenic particles, such as plankton and faecal material, which can sink into deeper water layers. The presence of biofilms on microplastics also facilitates aggregation, potentially affecting the transport and distribution of microplastics in the oceans.