Articles tagged with Seawater
A recent study found that intense east coast low storms and marine heatwaves caused the deaths of over 200 weedy seadragons on Sydney beaches. The extreme weather triggered record-breaking waves and rainfall, which seadragons struggle to handle.
Experts at Flinders University are calling for a new approach to water security on Pacific islands, where rising sea levels threaten local water supplies. Infiltration galleries, which extract fresh groundwater from shallow depths, may provide a solution, but more research is needed on their optimal design and performance.
A team at Hainan University has developed a supramolecular organic framework for efficient iodine capture from seawater, removing 79% of iodine pollution in simulated contaminated environments. The material achieves an ultrahigh iodine adsorption capacity of 46 mg g−1 within a 20-day extraction period.
The discovery challenges our understanding of seaweed in a changing ocean and has implications for predicting its future. The giant clone, found to be a single species with millions of individuals, thrives in low-salinity waters and provides habitat for various marine life.
Researchers at Nagoya University developed a new technique to improve electrode performance in seawater purification, allowing for higher surface area and increased efficiency. The oxygen-doped electrodes show promise for reducing water purification costs and expanding applications beyond water treatment.
Scientists are studying how microplastics affect microbial communities in ponds, with potential implications for carbon cycling and the global biosphere. Microbes have adapted to plastic surfaces, which could impact aquatic environments.
A GEOMAR study detects high levels of munitions chemicals in Baltic Sea water samples, with concentrations approaching critical levels. The contamination is expected to increase without removal action, posing a long-term environmental risk.
Dr. Jonathan Cox warns of the dangers of raw sewage in UK coastal waters, highlighting the risk of gastrointestinal, respiratory, and skin infections to vulnerable groups. He advocates for checking water quality before visiting beaches and praises efforts like the Safer Seas and Rivers Service to combat pollution.
Researchers at the University of Houston have developed a new membrane that allows water to flow eight times faster while maintaining high salt rejection rates. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient and cost-effective desalination systems, lowering costs and increasing access to clean water.
A new study has focused on the safety of outdoor swimming during pregnancy, revealing large gaps in knowledge and highlighting the need for further research. Expert-led recommendations have been provided for pregnant people, including advice to only swim in cold water if a regular cold water swimmer before pregnancy.
Researchers from Utrecht University studied icebergs' routes during rapid ice cap deterioration and found evidence of ancient material from Antarctica near South Orkney Island. The study suggests that Antarctica had an ice cap in the late Eocene, and large icebergs could survive in warm ocean conditions.
A new study suggests that up to 70% of suitable habitats for the critically endangered whitefin swellshark will be lost over the next 75 years due to predicted ocean changes. The researchers believe that Australia's proactive conservation measures, such as marine protected areas, offer hope for the species' survival.
The study reveals the existence of valley vortex states within water wave crystals, introducing a new degree of freedom for water wave manipulation. These states have significant implications for ocean energy extraction, marine engineering, and coastal infrastructures.
A USC study has found a drastic increase in building collapses in Alexandria, Egypt, due to rising sea levels and seawater intrusion. The researchers used a three-pronged approach to assess the impact of shoreline changes on the city's buildings.
New study highlights significant gaps in understanding how sunscreens affect marine ecosystems, with chemicals entering the environment through various pathways. Researchers emphasize the need for comprehensive studies to understand the effects of UV filters on marine life and potential risks to human health.
Researchers tracked 131 juvenile sea turtles and found they may be active swimmers during their early life stage, challenging existing hypotheses. The study provides important data for assessing risks from human activity and informing conservation efforts.
Researchers found significant increases in crevasses at fast-flowing glaciers, with some sectors experiencing a 25% increase. This accelerated crevassing could further speed up the mechanisms behind the loss of ice from Greenland.
A new study reveals that Amazonian mangrove forests release essential trace elements like neodymium into the ocean, supporting marine ecosystems and the carbon cycle. Mangroves act as biochemical reactors, releasing nutrients and metals into coastal waters.
The study highlights the potential of novel techniques to collect and analyse plankton data more efficiently, filling knowledge gaps and generating complete pictures of plankton dynamics. However, integrating old and new methods is crucial to ensure accurate assessments of marine biodiversity.
A deadly ciliate parasite has decimated sea urchin populations in the Caribbean, Red Sea, and Indian Ocean, with mortality rates reaching over 90%. The International team of researchers is working to track the disease and preserve sea urchins, which play a crucial role in maintaining coral reef health.
Research reveals that coastal waters are hotspots for methane emissions, with tides, seasons, and ocean currents playing key roles in dynamics.
A new study reveals that a colossal 'megaflood' refilled the Mediterranean Sea around 5.97-5.33 million years ago, marking the end of the Messinian Salinity Crisis. The Zanclean Megaflood is believed to have had discharge rates and flow velocities dwarfing any other known floods in Earth's history.
Researchers have developed a seawater-safe battery that can be woven into various shapes, such as a fishing net or fabric. The yarn-like battery prototype was tested in saltwater and retained most of its charging efficiency and storage capacity over 200 charge and discharge cycles.
Researchers from University of Gothenburg and Voice of the Ocean research foundation studied the impact of Nord Stream pipeline explosion on Baltic Sea. They found that methane gas spread to large parts of the southern Baltic Sea, affecting over 14% of the entire sea.
A new species of giant isopod, Bathynomus vaderi, has been discovered in Vietnamese waters, reaching lengths of up to 32.5 cm and weighing over a kilogram. The species was named after Darth Vader's iconic helmet and has become an expensive delicacy in Vietnam.
A new study found that a unique population of large fish-eating herring has evolved in the Baltic Sea, exhibiting faster growth rates and lower levels of pollutants. These herring have adapted to the brackish water by switching from plankton-eating to a fish diet, with potential benefits for human consumption.
Researchers from Texas A&M University have introduced a novel thermodynamic concept called the 'centotectic,' which investigates the stability of liquids in extreme conditions. The study provides critical information for determining the habitability of icy moons like Europa, with potential implications for planetary exploration efforts.
A new study estimates that 4 million Alaska common murres died following the 'warm blob', a marine heat wave that impacted ocean productivity and food supply. The die-off had devastating effects on seabird populations, with colony sizes dropping by half in some areas.
A nationwide analysis of Japan's plastic litter removal from rivers found that natural disasters and extreme weather events contribute to spikes in collected plastic waste. The study, led by Tokyo University of Science, also identified positive correlations between basin population, plastic litter recovery, and cleanup activities.
A recent study by researchers at the University of Hawaii at Manoa has shown that large marine protected areas can have positive impacts on fish populations, including increases in catch rates for tuna. The study analyzed publicly available data from nine LSMPAs across the Pacific and Indian oceans.
A Dartmouth-led study suggests using clay to convert CO2 into food for zooplankton, which expel it as carbon-filled feces in the deep sea. This method accelerates the ocean's natural cycle for removing carbon from the atmosphere.
When two tropical cyclones collide in the Indian Ocean, they can intensify considerably, leading to extreme interactions between the ocean and atmosphere. The study found that effects occurred that have only been observed with much stronger cyclones, including a cooling effect of three degrees Celsius and upwelling of deep water masses.
Researchers found that zooplankton communities remained stable and tolerated moderate chemical changes associated with Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement. However, nutritional quality of particulate matter may deteriorate, potentially affecting marine food web structure and productivity.
A team of scientists, including Binghamton University's Molly Patterson, is drilling into the Ross Ice Shelf to retrieve geological records and gain insights into the ice sheet's response to global warming. The project aims to provide crucial data for adapting to sea-level rise and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions.
Scientists predict the proposed wastewater release into Cape Cod Bay will stay in the bay for at least a month, with seasonal winds affecting its spread. The study used high-resolution ocean circulation models to simulate the plume's behavior and found that the majority of the water will come close to the shore before leaving the bay.
Ocean scientists will deploy sensors onboard high-tech floats to study tiny turbulent movements that pull water, heat, and chemicals from the surface down into the deep. This ventilation helps regulate the Earth's climate and buffer against human-induced climate change.
Researchers from UniSA have developed a simple strategy to increase seawater evaporation rates, making desalination more energy-efficient and sustainable. By introducing clay minerals into a photothermal hydrogel evaporator, they achieved a 18.8% higher evaporation rate for seawater compared to pure water.
A new technology extracts lithium from brine at concentrations as low as 20 ppm, making it economical for sources with low lithium concentrations. This innovation can create new value in oilfields, mining, and geothermal wells, potentially propelling Saudi Arabia into a leadership role in the global clean energy market.
The Eastern Tropical Pacific's Oxygen Deficient Zone (ODZ) expands and contracts every ten years, driven by Pacific decadal climate variability. This dynamic process has important consequences for marine ecosystems, as ODZs could respond quickly to climate changes.
A recent study reveals that oceans produce a previously unknown sulfur gas called methanethiol, which cools the climate by increasing aerosol formation and reflecting solar radiation. This new compound is found to have a greater cooling capacity than dimethyl sulphide and its impact on climate models.
The MIT team fabricated a simple water filter modeled after the mobula ray's plankton-filtering features and studied its performance. They found that the ray's filtering features are broadly similar to industrial cross-flow filters, which could inform design of water treatment systems.
A new analysis reveals that zero liquid discharge (ZLD) technologies can increase water recovery from desalination while reducing waste, but at increased costs and energy consumption. The process poses tradeoffs between fighting future water scarcity and environmental effects.
Researchers found that mangrove forests in the Maldives have lost over half of their cover since 2020 due to rising sea levels and climate change. The findings indicate that the Indian Ocean Dipole and accelerated sea level rise led to dieback, causing the trees to drown.
Scientists from the University of East Anglia have discovered a 50-metre-thick 'intrusion' of warm water under the Ross Ice Shelf, which has increased heat transport into the cavity by 45% over the last four decades. This finding suggests that climate change will likely lead to further melting and ice loss.
A new study published in Science Advances found that the Arctic Ocean has seen a sharp rise in legacy persistent organic pollutants (POPs) decades after global regulations were put in place. POPs, which are toxic and bioaccumulative, pose potential dangers to animals and people in the fragile ecosystem's food web.
A new study has found that a significant fraction of meltwater mass is stored temporarily within the Greenland Ice Sheet during summer months, peaking in July. This discovery will help improve climate models, which often underestimate the complexity of water storage within ice sheets.
Researchers found that thalattosuchian sinuses reduced during semi-aquatic phases and then diminished further as they became fully aquatic. This allowed them to develop extracranial sinuses, which might have helped drain salt glands and alleviate 'encrustation' problems.
Researchers explored how future changes in the North Water Polynya could impact marine communities. Changes in plankton and fish populations were found to have significant effects on the entire ecosystem. Polar bear numbers are projected to halve due to declining phytoplankton and copepods.
A new study suggests that a slowing Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) could reduce projected Arctic warming by 2 degrees Celsius. However, this slowdown may also cause other climate disruptions, such as changes in the Intertropical Convergence Zone and sea level rise.
Scientists have confirmed that temperature differences at the ocean surface aid in carbon absorption, with the ocean absorbing about 7% more CO₂ each year than previously thought. This discovery highlights the importance of understanding these subtle mechanisms for refining climate models and predictions.
A research team, led by Francesco Ferretti, located signs of white sharks at four sites in the Sicilian Channel, a stronghold of the endangered species. The team used improved methods and technologies, including eDNA sampling and camera traps, to detect the presence of the sharks.
Researchers found that the El Niño oscillation persisted at least 250 million years ago, with more intense temperature swings. The study suggests that atmospheric noise from ocean surface winds plays a key role in the oscillation's magnitude.
Researchers found that foamed cellulose diacetate (CDA) degrades 15 times faster than solid CDA and even faster than paper. The study's results suggest that foamed CDA could be used to replace Styrofoam plastic and single-use plastics, reducing plastic pollution and environmental impacts.
Researchers observed severe cold-water bleaching on deep coral reefs in the Clipperton Atoll, linked to easterly wind strength variability. This phenomenon threatens mesophotic coral ecosystems with dual challenges: warm-water bleaching from above and cold-water stress from below.
A new process developed by Lehigh University researchers uses evaporative ion exchange (EIX) to concentrate hypersaline brine at room temperature, avoiding scaling and fouling. The process has shown promising results in concentrating salts from hypersaline water, with the potential for widespread use.
Researchers used aerial drone technology and boat-based surveys to map complex tidal flows around the world's most powerful tidal turbine, O2. The study provides new insights into optimal turbine placement and site-specific assessments to address uncertainties surrounding interactions with marine habitats and environments.
Phytoplankton biomass has increased in subsurface waters due to ocean warming, while surface phytoplankton's total biomass remains stable despite reduced chlorophyll levels. The findings highlight the limitations of satellite observations and underscore the urgent need for improved global monitoring of deep-living phytoplankton.
Researchers found inorganic nanostructures surrounding deep-ocean hydrothermal vents that mimic molecules essential for life. These structures can harness energy and convert it into electricity, sparking interest in applying this technology to industrial blue-energy harvesting.
Researchers at the Alfred Wegener Institute found that atmospheric blocking slowed the melting of Greenland's 79° N Glacier by cooling Atlantic seawater flowing into its cavern. This change had significant implications for the future of Greenland's glaciers, as warmer ocean temperatures typically accelerate ice melting.
European atmospheric blocking has slowed glacial melt at Greenland's Nioghalvfjerdsfjorden Glacier by cooling subsurface waters from 2018 to 2021. The findings highlight the importance of regional atmospheric dynamics in glacier stability, which is crucial for predicting future glacier behavior.