Research on the ocean's chemistry and ice. Covers ocean carbon capture, forever chemicals in sea spray, Antarctic change, and sea-ice clouds.
A collaborative team of researchers has discovered that the North Atlantic Ocean played a pivotal role in the last great climate tipping point, leading to major expansions of carbon-rich southern-sourced deep waters into the northwestern Atlantic abyss. This finding provides new insights into the process driving these events, suggestin...
A 20-member scientific panel warns that increases in global carbon dioxide emissions are acidifying waters of the North American West Coast at an accelerating rate, with severe ecological consequences anticipated. The panel recommends a coordinated regional management strategy to mitigate the impacts of ocean acidification.
Scientists at NASA and the National Snow and Ice Data Center report that Arctic sea ice extent reached a record low wintertime maximum in 2016, with the lowest extent since satellite records began in 1979. The warming ocean waters are likely to contribute to continued declines in Arctic sea ice cover.
A study found that ocean acidification worsens during nighttime hours in tide pools along California's rocky coast. The increasing acidity harms calcifying organisms like mussels and oysters by dissolving their calcium carbonate shells and skeletons.
A new study by UM Rosenstiel School researchers found that expanding protected areas in US federal waters would safeguard 100% of core home range areas used by three shark species. The study suggests that protecting sharks' core habitat use areas, where they spend the majority of their time, can provide significant conservation benefits.
Researchers discover that warm ocean water is carving channels under Antarctica's ice shelves, weakening their stability. This process can lead to the disintegration of ice shelves, allowing more rapid ice flow into the ocean and increased rates of sea level rise.
Scientists have discovered five new limestone sea stacks, or 'Drowned Apostles', 50m beneath the water's surface 6km off Victoria's southern coast. The unexpected find challenges normal erosion rates and provides insights into the region's reef ecosystems.
Researchers explore storing water on Antarctica to delay sea-level rise, but conclude it's unlikely to mitigate the problem due to the enormous weight and distance required. They emphasize the need for rapid greenhouse-gas emission reductions and substantial investment in long-term local coastal protection.
A Rutgers-led study published in Nature Communications found a dynamic ocean process responsible for cooling coastal waters ahead of land-falling hurricanes. This process weakened Hurricane Irene as it neared New Jersey in 2011, improving forecasts and reducing losses linked to inaccuracies.
Researchers at the University of Southampton have discovered a direct link between fault activity and water entering the Earth's mantle. The study found that the amount of serpentinite formed at the bottom of each fault is directly proportional to the displacement on that fault.
A research group has developed a method to measure fish DNA in seawater, revealing the distribution of marine species. The study found that environmental DNA (eDNA) concentration reflects the biomass within 10-150 meters of the location.
Researchers have discovered a magnetic signal in volcanic rocks from the Iberian Peninsula that suggests a massive rotation of almost 60º occurred 300 million years ago. This process, known as the Cantabrian orocline, helped shape the region's mountain ranges and curvature.
Scientists at Rutgers University-Newark discovered a small dragonfly species that migrates across vast distances, breeding with each other and creating a global gene pool. The dragonfly, Pantala flavescens, is estimated to have traveled over 4,400 miles, surpassing previously thought records of monarch butterflies.
A study published in Environmental Science & Technology found that saline groundwater from coastal aquifers is a viable alternative to seawater for reverse osmosis desalination. The research revealed reduced membrane fouling and lower pre-treatment costs, making it a more efficient option.
A new prediction tool developed by MIT engineers can detect rogue waves in calm waters, giving sailors a 2-3 minute warning. The algorithm analyzes wave groups and predicts the probability of a rogue wave developing based on their length and height.
Coral reefs are already experiencing slower growth due to ocean acidification, which is causing coral calcification rates to decrease. The study found that increasing the pH of seawater can stimulate calcification rates.
Researchers develop new material to collect condensed water droplets using bio-inspired approach combining multiple natural systems. The material harnesses the power of desert beetles' bumps, cactus spines and slippery surfaces to facilitate condensation, promising applications in thermal power plants.
Scientists have found that ocean acidification is already slowing coral reef growth, with the potential for widespread devastation if left unchecked. Researchers manipulated seawater chemistry in a natural ecosystem to determine the impact of excess CO2 on coral reefs.
Researchers are racing to understand and mitigate the degradation of major river deltas worldwide, primarily caused by human activities such as damming, groundwater extraction, and agriculture. The study highlights that more than two-thirds of the world's 33 major deltas are sinking at an alarming rate.
Researchers at the University of Delaware have successfully programmed underwater robots to independently analyze data and trigger new missions based on real-time information. This technology has the potential to reveal new details about prey movement and behavior in the ocean.
Researchers discovered intense deep-ocean turbulence in the equatorial Pacific that plays a crucial role in driving global ocean circulation. The study, published online in Geophysical Research Letters, suggests that this mixing can be simulated using computer models to improve future climate forecasts.
A study published in Scientific Reports reveals that a warm ocean surface water prevailed during the last ice age, causing gradual climate changes. The Nordic seas, just south of Iceland, followed an Antarctic pattern of warming and cooling, contradicting previous 'seesaw' hypothesis.
Researchers discovered that sea snails use the same technique as flying insects to swim, beating their wings in a figure-of-eight pattern to generate lift. The team, led by David Murphy, used high-speed cameras and advanced analysis to visualize fluid movements around the animals.
Geologists have discovered evidence to explain the origin of the Wilcox Formation, one of Mexico's most productive oil plays, and support for a theory that water levels in the Gulf of Mexico dropped dramatically as it was separated from the world's oceans. The study also offers insight into extreme warming around 55.8 million years ago.
Biologists from Moscow State University found new luminescent creatures in the Red Sea, with unique fluorescent patterns that can help identify different species. The study published in PLOS ONE reveals insights into the role of glow in attracting prey and exploring symbiotic relationships.
Researchers found that the Greenland ice sheet is releasing a significant amount of phosphorus into the Arctic Ocean, with annual input equal to some of the world's largest rivers. The nutrient could stimulate growth of plankton at the base of the ocean food web, impacting birds, fish, and marine mammals higher up the chain.
New research reveals Greenland's ice sheet is releasing 400,000 metric tons of phosphorus annually, enriching Arctic Ocean waters and potentially stimulating growth of marine food chain. The nutrient could impact birds, fish, and marine mammals higher up the food chain.
Researchers at the University of Bonn used satellite data to find that ocean warming expansion contributed an average of 1.4 millimeters per year to sea level rise, more than double the previous estimate of 0.7-1.0 millimeters per year. This could lead to significantly increased risks of storm surges and coastal flooding.
A new study finds that the influx of freshwater from Greenland is 'freshening' the North Atlantic Ocean and could disrupt the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), an important component of global ocean circulation. This could lead to changes in climate, including cooler winters and regional sea level increases.
Researchers at the University of New South Wales found that high CO2 concentrations can cause fish to become disoriented and lose their sense of direction. The study predicts that by 2100, up to half of the world's surface oceans will experience episodes of hypercapnia, with devastating effects on marine ecosystems.
Researchers predict the spread of non-native regal damselfish in southern Gulf of Mexico, threatening local ecosystems. The tiny fish's reproductive strategies and oceanic water flow patterns are key factors in its potential impact.
A study found that leopard sharks with impaired smell took longer and more tortuous paths than those with intact smell during ocean navigation. This suggests that olfaction plays a significant role in guiding these fish through the ocean.
Researchers have developed a new technique to accurately measure the surface gravity of distant stars, allowing for more precise analysis of exoplanet sizes and habitability. This breakthrough will play a crucial role in the study of planets beyond our Solar System.
New research from Florida Institute of Technology scientists suggests that moderate levels of turbidity can lower stress on corals by shading them from high light. This could be a refuge for coral species in a warmer climate.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed a new ultra-high-resolution technique to study polymer fibers trapping uranium in seawater. The findings suggest that traditional approaches to understanding the binding of uranium by polymer fibers do not accurately represent its behavior in bulk materials.
Tropical Storm Melor weakened as it moved through the Philippines, with NASA's Aqua satellite capturing an image of the storm on Dec. 16. The storm's center was difficult to pinpoint due to strong wind shear, which affected its rotation and movement.
A new study by geologist Christoph Korte elucidated a previously unknown major temperature change during the Jurassic period. The researchers found that changes in ocean currents, particularly the uplift of the North Sea Dome, led to reduced heat transport to the Arctic region and altered local fauna distribution.
Researchers developed a detailed chemical zonation model for oxygen-deficient oceans prior to 520 million years ago. The model suggests that early life was influenced by the heterogeneous and dynamic chemical conditions of these ancient oceans.
A team of international experts found that a large-scale volcanic event restricted ocean flow, leading to an extended Ice Age in the Jurassic Period. This cooling occurred despite the period's warm conditions, contradicting previous assumptions about CO2-driven climate change.
The ocean microbiome is a vast biological network that regulates global systems, including energy consumption and respiration. Microbes are responsible for virtually all photosynthesis in the ocean and cycle essential nutrients and trace elements.
Scientists at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution report detecting increased radiation off the US West Coast due to Fukushima, with levels 50% higher than previous samples and still within safe drinking water limits. The study provides valuable insights into ocean currents and mixing, using radioactive isotopes as markers.
A study found that coccolithophore abundance has increased by an order of magnitude since the 1960s in the North Atlantic, contrary to predictions. This unexpected finding highlights the complex response of marine ecosystems to climate change.
Tropical Cyclone Annabelle was characterized by strong winds and high sea surface temperatures, but adverse conditions led to its demise. The storm's maximum sustained winds decreased to 35 knots on Nov. 24, indicating a lack of lift in the system.
Researchers have found distinctive rocks formed when the Pacific plate changed direction and plunged under the Philippine Sea Plate 50 million years ago. The discovery sheds new light on the formation of copper and gold deposits, as well as the mechanism behind massive earthquakes and volcanoes.
Researchers at the Alfred Wegener Institute found that a 15-year observation series reveals how sensitive arctic marine ecosystems are to change. The study indicates that even a short-term influx of warm water can fundamentally impact local symbiotic communities, leading to changes in deep-sea life.
The Arctic Ocean is a significant source of atmospheric methane due to interactions between the atmosphere, sea ice, and ocean. The study found that sea ice can be a source of methane, releasing it into the atmosphere during melting and freezing processes.
A glacier in northeast Greenland is losing mass at a rate of 5 billion tons per year and breaking up into the North Atlantic Ocean. The glacier's rapid retreat is attributed to ocean warming and decades of increasing air temperatures, which are substantially raising global sea levels.
A team of University of Illinois engineers has created a new, energy-efficient material for desalination by exploiting the unique properties of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanopores. The material can filter through up to 70% more water than graphene membranes, making it a promising solution to the global water crisis.
A team of researchers led by Dr. Christian Ohneiser found that a growing Antarctic ice sheet caused the Mediterranean Sea to evaporate and dry up around 5.6 million years ago. The study revealed an uneven effect on global sea levels, with the continent's ice growth resulting in complex interplay between gravitational and rotational eff...
Scientists at WashU Medicine have discovered an enzyme that enables some fish and amphibians to supercharge their vision to detect red and infrared light, aiding navigation in murky waters. This discovery could lead to advances in biomedical research, particularly optogenetics, where light is used to control brain activity.
A new study predicts that parts of the Arctic Ocean will see at least 60 days a year of open water by the 2050s. Researchers used climate simulations to investigate local impacts of open water expansion patterns in the Arctic, finding that many sites will have more than 100 additional days of open water by then.
A historian examines how Saudi Arabia's quest for fresh drinking water led to the discovery of oil and highlights the country's precarious relationship between oil and water. The expert argues that the U.S. must consider the environmental impact of desalination, a technology used to produce drinking water.
A new report by the National Science Foundation links rapid warming of ocean waters to the collapse of New England's cod fishery. The study found that increasing water temperatures reduced cod production and increased mortality of young fish, leading to a decline in sustainable stock levels.
The Nordic Seas started cooling towards modern temperatures in the early Pliocene, 5.3 to 2.6 million years ago. This occurred half a million years before the global oceans cooled, according to a new study published in Nature Communications.
Typhoon Champi's maximum sustained winds dropped to 80 knots from 90 knots as it weakened, with rough seas and wave heights reaching 9.1 meters.
Researchers found that coastal sea ice formation in the North Pacific plays a key role in driving deep ocean circulation, influencing regional and global climate patterns. The study's findings could improve global climate models by capturing small-scale processes that are currently missing.
A small freshwater algae has evolved to live in harsh seawater, adapting to high salt levels through genetic and epigenetic changes. Researchers tracked the transition of successive generations in a lab setting, discovering two stages of adaptation that enabled the plant to thrive in seawater.
Ocean acidification is affecting global marine ecosystems, with the Arctic and Antarctic oceans being particularly vulnerable. The study reveals that waters with lower aragonite saturation state are more corrosive to shellfish and coral species.
Tropical Cyclone 03A formed on October 10 and weakened to a remnant low pressure area by October 12. NASA's Terra satellite captured visible images of the storm as it developed.
Tropical storm Choi-Wan is intensifying with heavy rainmaking storms and cold cloud tops reaching -63F/-53C. The storm is forecast to strengthen into a typhoon before turning north.