Articles tagged with Seawater
Research suggests that super-Earths can maintain oceans for at least 10 billion years due to a planet-wide recycling process. This finding implies that older super-Earths are more suitable for searching for complex life.
A team of scientists has mapped the location of ancient, hydrogen-rich waters found trapped kilometres beneath Earth's surface in rock fractures in Canada, South Africa and Scandinavia. These findings have significant implications for the search for deep microbial life, with potential applications in astrobiology.
Researchers at Ohio State University propose that the Earth's mantle contains entire oceans of water, which are continuously cycled to the surface via plate tectonics. This process could have supplied water to the oceans for billions of years, making Earth habitable.
Research from the University of Washington suggests that warmer ocean water is melting frozen methane deposits on the seafloor, releasing massive amounts of methane into the environment. The study estimates that up to 4 million metric tons of methane are released annually off the coast of Washington.
New research finds Antarctic seawater temperatures are rising, causing accelerated glacial melting and potential sea-level rise. The study also reveals that warmer waters could impact ocean biodiversity.
Scientists observe rising water temperatures on the West Antarctic shelf, accelerating glacial melting and potentially increasing global sea levels. The warming trend is linked to changes in wind systems over the southern hemisphere and may have significant environmental implications for the region.
Climate change has buffered against measures to protect the Baltic Sea, despite efforts to reduce eutrophication. The Boknis Eck time series station data shows that nutrient concentrations have decreased since the 1980s, but oxygen levels remain low due to rising seawater temperatures.
Tropical Depression 21W strengthens into Tropical Storm Sinlaku in the South China Sea, with NASA's Aqua satellite capturing an elongated image. Forecasters predict maximum sustained winds of up to 60 knots (69.0 mph/111.1 kph) before weakening.
A team of researchers used state-of-the-art computer models to examine the influence of atmospheric carbon dioxide, ice sheet melting and changes in Earth's orbit on El Nino over the last 21,000 years. The study found that El Nino has intensified over the past 6,000 years, with feedbacks between ocean and atmosphere growing stronger.
Researchers developed new way to measure how CO2 acidifies oceans, affecting marine ecosystems. A 5,000 km long survey revealed calcification rates of coral reefs and open sea plankton in the Red Sea, providing crucial baseline conditions for tracking environmental changes.
Researchers identify genes and networks that enable tiny Atlantic killifish to alter their body form in response to environmental changes, providing insight into phenotypic plasticity. The study's findings have substantial implications for understanding molecular evolution and its applications in climate change, medicine, and regenerat...
A genomic analysis of a newly discovered virus prevalent in symptomatic sea stars has linked Sea Star Associated Densovirus to the devastating wasting disease, potentially triggering an unprecedented ecological upheaval. The research lays the groundwork for understanding how the virus kills sea stars and what triggers outbreaks.
Researchers used robotic ocean gliders to study the transport of warm water near the Antarctic coast, discovering that swirling ocean eddies play a key role in this process. The findings will aid in determining how rapidly ice is melting and contributing to rising ocean levels.
Tropical Storm Vance strengthened overnight and was named on Oct. 30, with its center exhibiting strong thunderstorms in a false-colored infrared image that resembles a pumpkin, NASA's Terra satellite captured the unusual sight. The storm is expected to strengthen gradually and potentially become a hurricane in 2 to 3 days.
NASA's Suomi NPP satellite captured a ghostly-white image of Tropical Depression Nuri on October 31. The storm has high thunderstorms with cold cloud top temperatures and is expected to curve northwest before turning northeast over the next couple of days.
Carter Abney has developed a new method to extract uranium from seawater using metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), which could provide a sustainable energy source. The technology also has implications for reducing radioactive waste by removing minor actinides, extending nuclear power capabilities.
Researchers found that warm oceans had significantly lower oxygen levels during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum, leading to widespread deoxygenation. This discovery could help scientists better understand climate change impacts on marine life.
Numerous fires have been burning in Ukraine, likely caused by agricultural practices. Farmers use fire to clear land and return nutrients to the soil.
Researchers from the Niels Bohr Institute have calculated a worst-case scenario for sea level rise, predicting a maximum of 1.8 meters by the end of this century. The study combines IPCC estimates with expert community data, indicating a likelihood of less than 5% for sea levels exceeding 180cm.
Climate change is projected to drive large-scale shifts in fish populations, with some species moving away from their current habitats at a rate of up to 26 kilometers per decade. This could lead to significant losses in tropical regions, including the loss of important fisheries and communities that rely on fish for food and nutrition.
Tropical Storm Kammuri is transitioning into an extra-tropical storm, characterized by a cold core and elongated strong storms moving from southwest to northeast. The storm's maximum sustained winds were near 45 knots on Sept. 29, and it is expected to continue weakening over the open ocean.
Numerous agricultural fires are burning in Eastern Europe, primarily in Ukraine. These fires were likely intentionally set to manage land and return nutrients to the soil, but also produce smoke that degrades air quality.
New study suggests that early Earth's crust was cool enough for surface water to form during some periods, challenging the long-held idea of a hostile environment. The research compared zircon crystals from Iceland with those formed over 4 billion years ago and found similarities in their compositions.
Researchers found that water temperatures in the Florida Keys have increased by nearly 2 degrees Fahrenheit over the past few decades, stressing corals and causing more frequent bleaching events. The study indicates that August is the peak month for ocean temperatures, which can lead to coral mortality if prolonged.
A new study suggests that sharks' ability to sense the smell of food may be impaired by rising atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. Adult sharks avoided squid odor after swimming in a pool of water treated with carbon dioxide concentrations consistent with climate forecasts for midcentury and 2100.
A new study reveals that the sea-level around Antarctica's coast has risen by 2cm more than the global average of 6cm due to fresh water from melting glaciers. This excess freshwater reduces ocean salinity and is corroborated by ship-based studies.
Researchers from McGill and Utrecht University outline six strategies to reduce water stress, including improving irrigation techniques, increasing water-recycling facilities, and limiting population growth. By applying these strategies simultaneously, significant reductions in water-stressed populations are possible by 2050.
Reconstruction of sea ice changes in the Fram Strait reveals that Arctic sea ice cover decline led to significant weakening of the Gulf Stream. This change had a direct impact on European climate, with cooling occurring twice in the past 30,000 years.
Malassezia fungi, linked to human skin conditions, have been found across multiple environments including Hawaiian coral reefs, arctic soils, and deep sea vents. They dominate certain marine ecosystems and are also found in marine mammals and fish, suggesting a broader ecological significance.
Certain sunblock ingredients, like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide nanoparticles, can become toxic when washed off skin into ocean water. This toxicity affects phytoplankton, the microscopic algae that feed small fish and other marine animals.
Researchers at MIT developed a model to evaluate the performance of large PRO systems, finding that membrane size affects power generation. The team found that up to 95% of maximum power output can be generated using half or less of the maximum membrane area, reducing upfront costs.
A new study reveals that marine crocodilian diversity is closely tied to sea temperature, with colonisation events occurring during global warming periods. The research suggests that environmental temperatures constrained the evolution and lifestyle of modern crocodilians.
Hurricane Julio is moving north-northwest towards Hawaii, expected to weaken due to vertical wind shear. Two tropical lows are also developing in the Central Pacific Ocean, with low chances of formation.
Tropical Storm Julio is weakening as it moves through cooler Central Pacific Ocean waters, with most clouds and precipitation pushed north of the center. The storm is expected to gradually turn north before turning into a depression by August 14, according to NOAA's CPHC.
Researchers found five lineaments at a depth of 1,200 meters on the Hovgaard Ridge, providing insights into the Arctic's glacial past and freshwater export to the North Atlantic. The discovery supports a hypothesis that large icebergs carried frozen fresh water into the Atlantic, influencing global circulation patterns.
Research suggests climate change could reduce the size of extreme low-oxygen waters in the ocean. As trade winds weaken, nutrient-rich water percolates up from the deep sea, supporting marine life and oxygen levels.
Researchers found that ocean oxygen increased from 1950 to 1990, contrary to conventional wisdom, due to weaker trade winds. Now, climate change may cause the tropical anoxic zone to shrink as trade wind speed decreases.
Researchers estimate mercury levels in global ocean, separating natural and human sources for the first time. The study found that ocean waters shallower than 100m have tripled in mercury concentration since the Industrial Revolution.
Tropical Storm Julio is part of a heated Eastern Pacific, with warmer waters contributing to its development. The storm's trajectory and potential impact on Hawaii are being closely monitored by forecasters.
Researchers have measured massive waves of up to 5 meters high in the Arctic Ocean, attributed to high winds and increased open water. This phenomenon could disrupt shipping operations and exacerbate coastal erosion as the region continues to warm.
A team of researchers, led by NSU's Alex Soloviev, used computational fluid dynamics and experiments to simulate the air-sea interface under hurricane force winds. They found that changes in microphysics can make a storm grow or weaken in intensity, with some hurricanes rapidly intensifying to Category 3.
Researchers calculate that the eastern, Jordanian side of the Dead Sea will experience a dramatic reduction in natural replenishment rate of groundwater if precipitation lowers as predicted. This could lead to shortages in water resources, affecting not only agriculture but also the growing population, with serious social and economic ...
A new study found that turbulent mixing in the deep waters of the Southern Ocean varies with surface eddy strength and possibly wind speeds, impacting global ocean circulation and climate. This insight will enable scientists to build better computer models predicting future climate change.
Researchers are monitoring the physics of the ice edge in the Beaufort Sea to better understand and predict open water in Arctic seas. The international effort aims to study how processes drive sea ice melt will change with increasing open water.
Researchers will use MABEL to develop algorithms for analyzing ICESat-2 data, which will help track summer sea ice melting and identify patterns in melt ponds. The flights will provide critical data on sea ice conditions, including the extent of summer ice melt.
UM Rosenstiel School scientists have developed a new method to improve storm intensity prediction of hurricanes, focusing on the air-sea interface. The study suggests that instability in this region can explain rapid intensification of tropical storms.
A new study reveals that certain strains of SAR11 can generate methane as a byproduct of breaking down methylphosphonic acid, producing phosphorus. This discovery explains the 'marine methane paradox' and provides an important piece of the puzzle in understanding the Earth's methane cycle.
A remarkable new dinosaur tracksite in Denali National Park, Alaska, has provided insights into the herd structure and paleobiology of northern polar dinosaurs. The discovery reveals that these animals not only lived in multi-generational herds but also thrived in a high-latitude, polar ecosystem.
The fossilized remains of a giant bird were found to be an extremely efficient glider, using long slender wings to stay aloft for miles over the open ocean without flapping its wings.
Scientists have found that the largest source of iron in the North Atlantic comes from dust blowing in from the Sahara desert, but other sources such as sediments also play a significant role. This discovery has important implications for understanding the carbon cycle and past climate change.
A recent study by the University of Cadiz reveals five large accumulations of plastic debris in the open oceans, coinciding with major ocean gyres. The study estimates tens of thousands of tonnes of plastics on surface waters, influencing sea creatures' behavior and food chains.
Leading scientists warn that tropical coastal waters are under pressure due to growing populations and climate change, highlighting the need for holistic management approaches. They advocate for expanded use of Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) to balance competing demands from fisheries, aquaculture, shipping, and other human activities.
Tropical Storm Douglas is weakening due to cooler waters and drier air in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. The storm's maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 45 mph, with forecasters predicting a gradual decline in strength over the next day.
A new study found that simpler marine organisms, like bacteria and unicellular algae, can withstand higher temperatures than complex ones, such as animals and plants. The researchers discovered that the complexity of an organism's structure determines its ability to adapt to warmer waters.
A new study reveals that ancient Arctic sand tiger sharks were able to tolerate brackish water conditions 50 million years ago, unlike modern sand tiger sharks which require much higher salinity levels. This finding has significant implications for how today's sharks might fare in a warming Arctic region.
The study, led by the University of Cadiz and Spanish National Research Council, reveals five large accumulations of plastic waste in surface waters, matching the five major twists of surface water circulation. Microplastics were detected in 88% of ocean surface samples, posing risks to marine food chains and ecosystems.
New research published in Nature Geoscience contradicts previous studies on tropical temperatures, suggesting they were warmer during the Pliocene epoch. This finding indicates that few places on Earth will be immune to global warming, with potential consequences for tropical storm intensity and climate impacts.
Researchers at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution found rapid changes in ocean temperature near glaciers, driven by fast ocean currents. The data suggests large and rapid fluctuations in submarine melt rates, contradicting the prevailing paradigm of freshwater input driving new water into the fjord.
Researchers have made the first structural observations of liquid water at temperatures as low as minus 51 degrees Fahrenheit, revealing new insights into its molecular structure and behavior. This study opens a new window for exploring liquid water in extreme conditions, which is relevant to global ocean currents, climate, and biology.
A NASA-funded study suggests that cracks on Pluto's moon Charon could reveal a past underground ocean. The analysis finds that a high-eccentricity phase in Charon's orbit may have generated large tides, causing friction and surface fractures. This friction would have also caused the tides to slightly lag behind their orbital positions.