Research on the ocean's chemistry and ice. Covers ocean carbon capture, forever chemicals in sea spray, Antarctic change, and sea-ice clouds.
A new study reveals that corals selectively feed on specific types of bacteria, promoting their growth and influencing the surrounding microbial community. This interaction drives microbial growth and nutrient cycling, with corals releasing complex compounds to stimulate bacterial growth.
Scientists at Michigan State University have developed a new framework to understand the complex relationships between urban water management and global sustainability. The study uses telecoupling processes to analyze the water dynamics of Beijing, China's capital city, and its impact on distant regions. By combining local and global p...
Researchers have recorded a new sighting of Günther's sea snake, a rarely seen venomous species, in Iranian coastal waters. The discovery expands the species' known range and brings the total number of sea snakes in the area to ten.
Researchers calculate basin-wide measurements of dissolved organic sulfur in the East Atlantic and Southern Ocean, finding it to be the largest oceanic reservoir of organic sulfur. The discovery challenges current understanding and suggests active involvement in the microbial loop, similar to organic nitrogen.
A University of Washington study links Atlantic Ocean slowdown to changes in the Southern Hemisphere, which affects eastern North America and Western Europe. The shift is not driven by Arctic sea ice melting but rather by winds in the Southern Ocean.
A team of earth scientists evaluated how various processes affect past measurements, revealing that many high-quality historical records are from locations with reduced local sea level change compared to the global average. This suggests a minimum 14cm increase in global sea level rise during the 20th century.
Tropical Cyclone Gaston has weakened significantly, with its eye disappearing and clouds pushed to the northeast. Warnings have been issued for several islands in the Azores, including Flores and Corvo, Faial, Pico, Graciosa, Sao Jorge, and Terceira.
Hurricane Gaston has a large cloudless eye surrounded by powerful thunderstorms, according to NASA's Suomi NPP satellite. The storm is moving northeast at 9 mph and may affect the Azores Islands later in the week.
A recent study reveals that the expansion of Antarctic sea ice has caused a significant freshening of the Southern Ocean. The increased freshwater flux from the sea-ice conveyor belt explains the observed salinity changes in the region.
A new study suggests that sustainable management of the high seas can help compensate for expected losses in fish stocks due to climate change. Closing the high seas to fishing could increase catches in coastal waters by up to 10%, benefiting both productivity and reducing climate change impacts.
Arctic sea ice cover is still declining despite slower melt rates, scientists say. The new normal for sea ice extent is expected to remain low due to extreme weather conditions.
Researchers found a correlation between Pacific sea level changes and global surface temperatures, with steeper tilts in the western Pacific linked to cooler temperatures. The study uses sea level data from 1993 to 2016 to estimate global surface temperature increases by the end of 2016.
Tropical Storm 12W formed over the open waters of the Northwestern Pacific Ocean on August 18, 2016. The storm was spotted by NASA's Aqua satellite and has tracked northwestward at 16.1 mph, expected to intensify into a typhoon near Japan
Researchers found that tropical sea urchin eggs and larvae are vulnerable to temperature changes, with early stage larvae dying at temperatures above 32 degrees C. Long-term exposure to warmer waters reduces larval survival and growth, highlighting the impact of climate change on these small marine animals.
Researchers from USF College of Marine Science and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission expect no major red tide blooms along Florida's west coast this year. Nutrient levels in the Gulf of Mexico favor non-toxic algae, suppressing red tide bloom development.
Researchers have mapped underground drainage systems connecting fresh groundwater and seawater, highlighting vulnerable sites to saltwater intrusion. The study identifies areas where drinking water is at risk due to ocean contamination or saltwater invasion.
A new study identifies distinct hotspots in the US coastline where freshwater discharge from underground water sources can contaminate coastal waters. These hotspots, which account for half of all freshwater discharge, are particularly vulnerable to groundwater-borne contamination and affect 12% of the coastline.
Tropical Storm Howard is weakening due to cooler waters and increasing instability, with maximum sustained winds decreasing to near 45 mph. Forecasters expect the storm to become a remnant low in 24-36 hours, potentially sooner if organized convection redevelops.
Tropical Storm Howard is moving west through the Eastern Pacific Ocean with maximum sustained winds near 60 mph and higher gusts. NASA's Aqua satellite provided forecasters with visible and infrared imagery of the storm on August 1-2, capturing its bulk thunderstorms east of the center.
A new model suggests that oxygen levels in oceans played a crucial role in the emergence of animal evolution, with early life forms surviving in areas with low oxygen concentrations. The research challenges conventional thinking and has implications for estimates of complex life on exoplanets.
Researchers found evidence of Vibrio species thriving on microplastic particles, posing a potential risk to human health. The study suggests that climate change could contribute to the proliferation of these bacteria.
A University of Washington team has sequenced the genome of a key ocean microbe, revealing its surprising role in removing life-supporting nitrogen from the water. The findings provide new insights into how these microbes interact and carry out fundamental processes in the ocean, particularly in deep, low-oxygen waters.
Scientists from the AWI have correctly simulated the Eocene warm climate phase using climate models, overcoming a previous weakness due to misinterpreting the temperature indicator TEX86. The corrected temperatures reveal that the region was still warm enough for palm trees to grow on beaches.
Researchers at EPFL have developed an osmotic power generation system that delivers unparalleled efficiency, using a new type of membrane just 3 atoms thick. The system harnesses the movement of salt ions between fresh water and seawater to generate electricity.
Scientists at TUM have discovered a plant-inherent water-conservation strategy that enables plants to absorb carbon dioxide while minimizing water loss. By activating this mode, plants can preserve moisture in the ground for later use during droughts, potentially increasing crop yields with limited water availability.
A recent study found that El Niño climate patterns contributed to the Northeast Pacific's largest marine heatwave on record. The study also suggests that unusually warm water events could become more frequent with rising greenhouse gas levels, disrupting ecosystems and leading to massive die-offs.
Two recent developments, Open Water Data Initiative and National Water Center, enable open sharing of water data nationwide. A flow-continuum model is emerging across atmosphere to oceans, coast to coast, revolutionizing real-time continental hydrology.
Researchers from AWI deploy ocean bottom seismometers to record earthquakes on Southwest Indian Ridge, revealing unique insights into ocean floor formation. Water circulation up to 15km deep leads to aseismic areas with soft soap-like rock that moves without jerking.
The ocean's slow circulation rate allowed it to store more carbon for longer periods than previously thought. This process released carbon into the deep ocean, where it was trapped due to slow circulation and eventually dissolved, storing large amounts of CO2 for thousands of years.
A new study reveals that Antarctic sea ice migration drives the strength of global ocean circulation by changing water density. The researchers found that freshwater from melting sea ice contributes 10 times more to freshwater input than land-based glaciers, making it a vital contributor to circulation.
A University of Delaware-led team studies the biogeochemistry of ocean and coastal waters, focusing on manganese's role in marine ecosystems. The research aims to understand how manganese transitions between states and its impact on biological growth of marine organisms.
Researchers from the University of Washington and NOAA have created a seasonal outlook for Pacific Northwest waters, providing predictions for water oxygen, temperature, chlorophyll, and pH. The tool shows measurable skill on seasonal timescales, especially at the beginning of the spring upwelling season.
A new study led by Brown University Ph.D. student Noah Hammond suggests that Pluto likely has a subsurface ocean today, contrary to previous theories. The research uses thermal evolution models updated with data from NASA's New Horizons spacecraft, which revealed signs of tectonic features and expansion on Pluto's surface.
A new study published in Geophysical Research Letters reveals that Venus' electric field is capable of accelerating oxygen ions to escape the planet's gravity, stripping away significant amounts of water over billions of years. This discovery challenges previous theories about the planet's loss of oceans and atmospheres.
A powerful electric wind can strip water from an atmosphere, stripping Venus of its oceans, and may have played a significant role in Earth's loss of oceans. The discovery was made by NASA-funded researchers using the ESA's Venus Express mission.
Scientists have calculated the fate of Greenland's melting freshwater, finding that more than half of it is transported southward by the Labrador Current. The study suggests that the melting-induced impact on ocean salinity is smaller than expected and may lead to a weakening of the Gulf Stream system.
New research reveals an 'electric wind' strong enough to remove water components from Venus' upper atmosphere, stripping it of its oceans. This powerful electric field accelerates oxygen ions to escape speeds, contributing to the loss of atmospheric gases.
A global mass extinction event killed off most life on Earth, but marine life quickly recovered 3.35 million years later, according to a new study led by University of California, Davis researchers. The recovery was attributed to changes in ocean circulation and mixing that allowed nutrient-rich waters to reach the surface.
Researchers have developed an artificial seawater medium that can successfully cultivate abundant marine microorganisms, many of which have not been genetically characterized before. This new tool may benefit genomics researchers, marine chemists and the microbial research community.
Researchers discovered sea snakes use scale sensilla to sense vibrations in water, allowing them to detect objects at a distance. This hydrodynamic sense is not possible for land animals and could be impacted by man-made disturbances.
New research reveals ocean currents explain why Antarctic Ocean has stayed at roughly the same temperature as most of the planet. Deep, centuries-old water is continually pulled up to the surface by constant westerly winds and great depths.
Scientists found evidence of two mega-tsunamis on Mars, triggered by meteorite impacts, which formed cold salty oceans conducive to sustaining life. The research reveals ancient ocean characteristics, including icy lobes with briny waters, providing a potential refuge for life in extreme environments.
Researchers found that some fish species can adjust their metabolisms to warmer temperatures, but not their tolerance for extreme heat. This 'plastic floor' of adaptation has limitations, with fish unable to tolerate temperatures beyond a certain threshold, dubbed the 'concrete ceiling'.
A study of Coos Bay found it is currently free of hypoxic conditions, thanks to its narrow offshore shelf and dredged ship channel. However, as the climate warms, the bay's flushing action may be disrupted, leading to increased risk of oxygen depletion.
Researchers have found a major carbon dioxide reservoir at depths of 2000-4300 meters in the South Pacific. The study suggests that during the last ice age, a sea ice cover on the Antarctic Ocean closed oceanic ventilation windows, leading to slowed deep water circulation and increased storage of old carbon dioxide.
Researchers discovered a twisted, helical shape can reduce drag by 18-23% compared to round cylinders. This design could improve stability for various structures, including antennae and skyscrapers.
A UGA study found that Saharan dust increases iron levels in ocean surface water, leading to large blooms of Vibrio bacteria. These bacteria can cause serious illness in humans and other marine organisms, and their rapid growth rate short circuits the theory of phytoplankton as the first responders to nutrient plumes.
A new study reveals that leftover warm water from a stalled El Niño event in 2014 contributed to the formation of a monster El Niño in 2015. The researchers found that easterly winds prevented the warm water from being transported poleward, allowing it to act as a reservoir of heat for the following year.
Researchers found less soot than expected, but discovered two types: a younger pool that absorbs into the environment every 100 years and an ancient reserve stable for millennia. Black carbon is a strong agent of climate change, absorbing sunlight and trapping heat on Earth.
Scientists at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution found a clear link between higher sea surface salinity levels and increased rainfall on land in the African Sahel. By analyzing global salinity and rainfall data, they discovered that high springtime salinity levels correlate significantly with increased monsoon-season rainfall in the ...
A recent study by Oregon State University researchers found an unprecedented abundance of juvenile sea star offspring along the Oregon coast, but warns that a second wave of the deadly 'sea star wasting disease' could be disastrous. The disease nearly wiped out the population in 2014 and its impact on the ecosystem is still unknown.
Researchers propose that large meteorite and comet impacts into the sea created structures with favourable conditions for life. Water interacting with impact-heated rock enabled synthesis of complex organic molecules, and the enclosed crater provided a microhabitat for life to flourish.
A vast reef system spanning 10,000 km2 has been discovered at the Amazon River mouth, contradicting long-held assumptions about reef development. The ecosystem thrives under a plume layer due to chemosynthesizing microorganisms, supporting complex biodiversity in low light conditions.
A new study published in Nature Climate Change reveals that groundwater extraction contributes about three times less to sea level rise than previously estimated, with an accurate figure of around 80%. This revised estimate suggests that other processes may be contributing more water to sea level rise, widening the gap between modeled ...
A Dartmouth study reveals that surface meltwater and subglacial discharge are driving the loss of ice mass in Greenland's coastal glaciers. The findings show that meltwater can exploit weaknesses in glaciers, fracturing and weakening them, and also increase calving and melting.
Researchers have found a decline in productivity in the Gulf of Maine due to increased amounts of dissolved organic carbon from rivers and the Scotia Shelf Current. This organic matter absorbs light necessary for photosynthetic organisms, influencing the ecology of the Gulf.
Scientists have developed new adsorbents that can extract uranium from seawater, reducing the cost by three to four times. The technology has shown promising results, with an ORNL adsorbent material capable of holding 5.2 grams of uranium per kilogram in natural seawater exposure.
Current measurement methods may underestimate the amount of plastic in oceans due to turbulent mixing. Researchers found that surface heating and ocean currents mix plastics deeper into the water column.
The UGA Skidaway Institute is investigating the dynamic forces of Cape Hatteras waters, which are crucial for understanding global carbon cycling and climate change. The PEACH project uses a combination of shore- and ocean-based instruments to record surface currents and subsurface information.
A team led by Julie Huber has discovered an active microbial community in cold oceanic crust at North Pond, an isolated sediment pond on the western flank of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The microbial community is oxygenated and heterogeneous, with distinct differences from that found in ocean bottom seawater.