Articles tagged with Seawater
New research suggests that high sea levels in the Mediterranean Sea may have triggered the formation of Mount Etna's distinctive cone structure. This theory proposes that changes in the volcano's magma behavior coincide with periods of rising sea levels, which could also explain similar changes at other volcanic sites worldwide.
A long-term field study in a Swedish fjord found that herring larvae can survive and thrive in acidified seawater due to increased phytoplankton growth. However, this finding does not necessarily apply to other fish species, which may be negatively affected by ocean acidification.
A study by GEOMAR and international colleagues reveals a 4-fold reduction in Pb concentrations in European surface waters since the phasing out of leaded gasoline. However, legacy Pb from Mediterranean sources persists, suggesting sediments are now a new source of Pb to the environment.
Researchers at Aalto University found that El Niño and similar climate oscillations impact crop production worldwide, particularly in South Asia, Latin America, and Europe. The study highlights the potential of improved forecasting skills to improve agricultural resilience and food security.
Researchers analyzed sedimentary rocks and found light lithium isotopes in South China's seawater, potentially linking terrestrial and marine ecological crises. The findings suggest a connection between the Siberian Traps' eruptions and the Permian-Triassic mass extinction event.
A new scenario proposes that Mars' oceans formed several hundred million years earlier than previously thought, linking their existence to the rise of the solar system's largest volcanic system, Tharsis. The model suggests that global warming and volcanic eruptions played a key role in allowing liquid water to exist on Mars.
Researchers found that methane in sea ice is transported thousands of kilometers across the Arctic Ocean and released months later, influencing climate change. The phenomenon has not been reflected in current climate models.
Researchers discovered crystallized water trapped in diamonds formed at extreme depths, challenging previous assumptions about diamond origins. The study suggests water may exist in the lower mantle, potentially affecting ocean water recycling and Earth's internal dynamics.
Researchers at UCI created new maps of glacier bed topography in southeast Greenland, gaining insight into rapid retreat and stability. The maps demonstrate the role of ocean temperature and water depth in glacial evolution.
A new study published in Nature shows that ocean acidification caused by carbon dioxide emissions will severely slow coral reef growth. The research team manipulated seawater chemistry to reflect end-of-century projections, finding that increased acidity hinders calcification and reef growth.
Ocean microbes produce at least fifty percent of the oxygen in our atmosphere while removing large amounts of carbon dioxide. The new LRAUVs can transit for over 600 miles and use their own 'eyes and ears' to detect important oceanographic events like phytoplankton blooms.
A new study by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution researchers found that the Bay of Bengal's monsoon runoff generates a layer of fresh water on its surface, suppressing nutrient mixing and preventing upwelling. This phenomenon can lead to colder waters in winter, contrary to expectations.
Researchers at KAUST found that high salinity can protect corals from heat stress by increasing the levels of antioxidant floridoside. This compound helps regulate osmotic pressure and prevent severe bleaching in coral model organism Aiptasia.
A large-scale research analysis found that sea bathing doubled the odds of reporting general ear ailments and increased the risk of gastrointestinal illnesses by 29%. The study suggests pollution is still an issue affecting swimmers in high-income countries like the UK.
Researchers found significant variations in high-frequency oscillation periods across different sea areas in the Western North Pacific. In the South China Sea, these oscillations occur at shorter intervals than in open water areas.
Researchers discovered that cyanobacteria, crucial to ocean life, can change color to adapt to different light conditions. This ability allows them to photosynthesize and thrive in various parts of the world's oceans.
A new study suggests that increased precipitation in the East Asian region led to erosion and the transport of dust into the North Pacific Ocean, which in turn fertilized the ocean surface waters, pulling carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere. This process may have contributed to a cooling of the Earth's climate 2.7 million years ago.
Researchers discover a previously unknown connection between seafloor weathering and the slow carbon cycle. The study reveals that fluctuations in seafloor spreading rates drive changes in ocean crust capacity to store carbon dioxide.
A research team detected an acceleration in global sea level rise over the last 25 years, with a potential doubling of total sea level rise by 2100. The rate is increasing by about 0.08 mm/year every year, driven mainly by accelerated melting in Greenland and Antarctica.
Scientists have discovered a novel method for filtering salt and metal ions from seawater using MOFs, which has significant potential for the water and mining industries. The technology could reduce energy consumption by up to 2-3 times compared to current methods.
Research by University of Delaware oceanographer Wei-Jun Cai and colleagues reveals that coastal water is taking up a larger portion of atmospheric carbon dioxide. The study's findings, published in Nature Communications, may have important implications for understanding the global carbon budget and predicting greenhouse gas emissions.
A new study identifies the details of how ocean acidification affects coral skeletons, allowing scientists to predict where corals will be more vulnerable. The research found that ocean acidification particularly impedes the thickening process, decreasing the skeletons' density and leaving them more vulnerable to breaking.
Oceans contained plentiful oxygen long before its accumulation in the atmosphere, providing energy-rich habitat for early life. Researchers used computer models to simulate chemical reactions in ancient ocean sediments and compared results with data from ancient rocks and seawater.
Researchers at MIT and Albert Einstein College of Medicine isolate and study a new group of viruses that lack tails and can infect dozens of different types of bacteria. The Autolykiviridae provide key insights into viral evolution, bacterial populations, and the ocean's ecosystem.
A new study by Stanford researchers found that a large and unstable Antarctic glacier may be melting farther inland than previously thought, posing a threat to global sea levels. The Pine Island Glacier's Southwest Tributary could trigger or accelerate ice loss in Thwaites Glacier, potentially speeding the rate of sea-level rise.
Researchers found that ancient methane from ocean sediments is being released into the ocean, but only a small amount survives to be emitted to the atmosphere. The study suggests that catastrophic emission of methane from degrading hydrates may not be an inherent outcome of climate change.
Researchers used drones to count olive ridley sea turtles in Costa Rican waters, estimating densities of up to 2,086 animals per square kilometer. This method provides a safe and cost-effective alternative to traditional methods, revealing crucial insights for conservation and research.
Scientists studying seawater's viscosity are investigating its impact on marine life. The two-year project aims to improve understanding of nutrient cycling and food webs in the oceans.
Researchers found that emperor penguins from colonies close to the sea-ice edge can dive before laying eggs, suggesting shorter fasts compared to inland birds. They also observed these penguins feeding during pre-nuptial activities.
Researchers find uplift of sea floor in region caused by ice melting to be primary cause of methane hydrate dissolution. The process, ongoing for thousands of years, is not linked to climate change.
Scientists warn that the world needs to address climate change and nutrient pollution to halt the decline of ocean oxygen. Low oxygen levels can stunt growth, hinder reproduction, and lead to disease or death in animals, while also triggering toxic chemical releases.
The ocean is losing its breath, with low-oxygen sites increasing fourfold in the open ocean and tenfold in coastal waters since 1950. Climate change and nutrient pollution are driving this decline, which can stunt growth, hinder reproduction, and lead to disease or death.
Researchers have developed a new method to measure the average temperature of the global ocean using noble gases in the atmosphere. By analyzing air bubbles trapped in ice cores, scientists can calculate the average global ocean temperature with high precision, providing insights into past climate cycles and modern ocean changes.
Scientists have observed increasing fluxes of shelf-derived materials to the central Arctic Ocean, altering its composition and potentially harming biological productivity. The study provides an estimate of Arctic shelf flux and sheds light on understudied transport processes in the region.
Researchers developed a quantum sensor that mimics the ampullae of Lorenzini found in sharks to detect small electrical signals. The sensor performed well in ocean-like conditions and maintained its functionality despite being immersed in saltwater, making it suitable for various applications.
Researchers have developed a novel photovoltaic-powered electrolysis device that can operate as a stand-alone platform on open water, producing hydrogen fuel from sunlight and water. The device separates gases using buoyancy-driven product separation, resulting in high product purity without actively pumping the electrolyte.
A 1996 paper by Robert Howarth and John A. Downing quantified the relationship between human activities and nitrogen entering coastal oceans, identifying fertilizer and atmospheric deposition as key contributors. The study's findings have had long-lasting relevance, driving future research directions in nitrogen biogeochemical cycling.
Scientists at the University of York have developed a technology that can trap over 850 million tonnes of unwanted carbon dioxide in the atmosphere using North Sea water and recycled metal. This process uses low-energy processes and environmentally friendly tools, making it highly scalable and sustainable.
Princeton researchers studied the formation of layers in cafe lattes, discovering that double-diffusive convection is the primary mechanism behind this phenomenon. The study's findings have implications for industrial flows and mixing procedures, as well as understanding heat- and salinity-dependent flows in oceans.
Researchers at Duke University have developed a water cloaking concept that uses electromagnetic forces to eliminate an object's wake and drag. By matching the acceleration of the surrounding water to an object's movement, it is theoretically possible to greatly increase propulsion efficiency while leaving the surrounding sea undisturbed.
Ocean researchers discovered 'smoke rings' that can transport small marine life at high speeds across vast distances. These linked eddies are ten times faster than regular ocean currents and were found in the Tasman Sea and South Atlantic.
Researchers have discovered that a high concentration of coccolithophores and diatoms thrive in the Great Calcite Belt, driven by nutrient levels, sea surface temperature, and carbon dioxide concentration. The bloom plays a crucial role in global carbon cycle models and highlights the complexity of phytoplankton ecology.
The lack of sea snakes in the Atlantic Ocean is attributed to geographical barriers such as the Isthmus of Panama blocking access to the Caribbean. Additionally, cold water temperatures and freshwater scarcity in the Eastern Hemisphere hinder their survival.
Researchers have found that comb jellyfish can adjust their regeneration mechanisms based on environmental nutrients. In nutrient-rich environments, the larvae can fully regenerate, while in areas with fewer nutrients, they survive but cannot fully heal.
A new analytical method developed at GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel shows that water penetrates significantly deeper into the Earth's crust than previously assumed. This finding is crucial for understanding the ocean's heat budget and volatiles in the crust.
Researchers discovered that alkali flies have developed a dense hair layer to reduce water loss in the highly alkaline environment. The flies' cuticular hydrocarbons also play a crucial role in protecting them from dehydration.
A scientific team, led by geologist Rebecca Dorsey of the University of Oregon, theorizes that the river's route off the Colorado Plateau was influenced by a combination of tectonic deformation and changing sea levels. The research challenges long-held conventional thinking on river connection to ocean.
Researchers have discovered a 'shadow zone' around 2km below the sea surface where ancient water has remained isolated for centuries. This region's unique shape and geothermal heat sources trap ocean water, suspended in an area with minimal vertical movement.
Research published in Science shows climate warming reduced the mass of the Cordilleran Ice Sheet by half in 500 years, indicating a similar fate for the Greenland Ice Sheet. The study suggests that once ice sheets start to melt, they can do so quickly, causing significant sea level rise and changes in ocean circulation.
Research led by the University of Texas at Austin found that strong winds over the Southern Ocean bring warm water to East Antarctica's Totten Glacier, causing it to melt from below. The glacier's contribution to global sea level rise will likely increase as winds intensify.
A new study found that future volcanic eruptions could lead to surface cooling of up to 40% due to the oceans' decreased ability to moderate the climate impacts. The increased cooling would disrupt the water cycle, decreasing global precipitation.
A new study using citizen science data predicts that warmer waters will cause fish to extend their ranges further from the equator, leading to a decline in the diversity of invertebrates such as crabs and lobsters. This change is expected to affect food webs and ecosystems worldwide.
Tropical Storm Lan was formed on October 15 and is moving west-northwest over open ocean. The storm's maximum sustained winds reached 35 knots (40 mph) near Palau.
Ocean data from Northeast Greenland reveals long-term impact of ice sheet melting on freshwater content, affecting fjords and global ocean circulation. The study finds that increased freshwater input reduces plankton algae production, impacting fish stocks and potentially European climate.
Researchers have developed a new hybrid nanomaterial that can efficiently extract hydrogen fuel from seawater using solar energy. This breakthrough could lead to a new source of clean-burning fuel, reducing demand for fossil fuels and boosting the economy of Florida.
Researchers found high levels of radioactive cesium-137 in beach sands and brackish groundwater beneath beaches up to 60 miles away from the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant. The study suggests that this new pathway for radionuclide release should be considered in managing coastal areas near nuclear power plants.
Researchers found that species adjusted to new environments, with some thriving and others struggling, but also discovered vulnerabilities to climate change and fishing pressure. The study highlights the need for further research to safeguard these complex ecosystems and their role in supporting marine life.
Tropical Storm Lee strengthened into a tiny hurricane after being forgotten following Hurricane Irma and Maria's impact. It is expected to move west and northeast over open ocean waters, with maximum sustained winds near 90mph.
The Global Precipitation Measurement mission found extreme storms within Hurricane Maria's feeder bands were dropping rain at an hourly rate of greater than 5.4 inches. The hurricane made landfall on Sept. 20 near Yabucoa, Puerto Rico, with maximum sustained winds reported to be 149.5 mph.
A new study from the European Commission Joint Research Centre found no significant long-term trend in the Black Sea's average surface water temperature. However, there was a positive trend at 50 meters below the surface, suggesting warming of deeper waters.