Articles tagged with Seawater
Harvard scientists have developed a method to identify 'sea level fingerprints,' patterns of variation in sea level changes that can indicate the source of water contributing to rising sea levels. Using a Kalman smoother, researchers can determine where glacial melting is occurring and estimate its contribution to global sea level rise.
Researchers found a weak point in the Weddell Sea where warm waters can reach the ice shelf, causing it to melt rapidly and potentially leading to ice streams draining into the ocean. This could result in an additional rise in global sea level of 4.4 millimeters per year.
A new study calculates that groundwater pumping will cause a global sea level rise of about 0.8 millimeters per year by 2050, outweighing the effect of dams. Groundwater depletion rates are projected to increase further, contributing significantly to sea level rise.
Researchers have created microsubmarines that can collect and transport oil droplets from contaminated waters, potentially helping to clean up oil spills. These tiny machines use a special surface coating to absorb oils and are powered by ultrafast movement.
Researchers discovered wind pushes lightweight plastics below ocean surface, potentially vastly underestimating total plastic amounts. A new model can be used to collect more accurate data in the future.
A new analysis reveals that pressure-retarded osmosis (PRO) power-generating stations could meet the energy needs of half a billion people by tapping into the global potential of rivers flowing into the sea. This sustainable process requires no fuel and releases no greenhouse gases.
The formation of the Great Unconformity may have triggered the Cambrian explosion due to changes in seawater chemistry. Biomineralization evolved as a response to increased continental weathering products, leading to the appearance of shells and skeletons in complex life.
A CU-Boulder study shows that massive releases of meltwater from surface lakes on the Greenland Ice Sheet are causing it to slide faster into the ocean. This could accelerate sea-level rise and have implications for coastal communities.
The OceanScope project combines the ocean-observing community and the global shipping industry to study ocean circulation dynamics and fill observational gaps. By leveraging commercial ships like Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas, the partnership aims to create a cost-effective opportunity for systematic long-term observation.
Researchers reconstruct global surface temperatures and find that average temperature correlated with rising CO2 levels, indicating the greenhouse effect played a key role in ending the last Ice Age. The study provides evidence that CO2 caused much of the global warming, contrasting previous efforts that only examined local temperatures.
An international research team found elevated levels of radioactive substances in the Pacific Ocean, reflecting the complex nature of the marine environment. While levels of radioactivity in marine life were below concern for humans and organisms, long-term impacts on the ecosystem remain unclear.
A new study by University of Notre Dame researchers estimates the annual economic cost of ship-borne invasive species in the Great Lakes at $138 million, with potential costs as high as $800 million. Replacing shipping with alternative modes could bring net benefits to society within 30-50 years.
The Surface Ocean CO2 Atlas (SOCAT) provides a comprehensive dataset of 6.3 million global observations since 1968, documenting year-to-year and decadal changes in ocean carbon uptake. This will help assess the feedbacks between climate change and the ocean carbon cycle.
Researchers at McGill University have developed a mathematical method to predict the movement of oil and ash following environmental disasters. The tool uses Lagrangian Coherent Structures (LCSs) to forecast dramatic changes in pollution patterns, allowing for more informed decision-making about controlling spills.
Researchers have developed a mathematical method to forecast the movement of oil and ash in the environment following disasters. This technique uses Lagrangian Coherent Structures (LCSs) to detect the cores of complex patterns in ocean flows, predicting dramatic changes in pollution patterns.
A year after the Fukushima Daiichi disaster, scientists are lacking fundamental knowledge about how nuclear fuels behave under extreme conditions. A review article calls for a long-term national research program to study this topic.
Scientists at University of Copenhagen have reconstructed the isotopic composition of 3.8 billion-year-old seawater, revealing that young planet's oceans had proportionately more 'normal water' than 'heavy water'. This discovery suggests Earth has lost less than ¼ of its water budget over the last roughly 4 billion years.
Researchers at Penn State developed a new technology combining microbial fuel cells and reverse electrodialysis to produce electricity from wastewater. The system uses an ammonium bicarbonate salt solution, allowing for energy production anywhere, not just coastal areas.
The oldest and thickest Arctic sea ice is disappearing at a faster rate than younger ice, making it more vulnerable to decline. The multi-year ice cover is shrinking at a rate of -15.1% per decade, while perennial ice extent declines by -12.2%.
Three scientific expeditions, including a Russian team that drilled 2.5 miles through ice to reach Lake Vostok's ancient water, aim to uncover secrets about life in the Frozen Continent. The teams will analyze water samples and nutrient sources from lakes deep beneath the surface of Antarctica.
Researchers found unique changes in hydrogen and boron isotopes in submarine volcanic glass near subduction zones, indicating ancient oceanic slabs can return to the upper mantle and interact with modern seawater. This discovery suggests hydrogen diffusion rates in the deep Earth may be slower than expected.
Despite harsh winter conditions, microscopic creatures in the Arctic food chain remain active, with zooplankton feeding at low rates. This discovery has implications for climate modeling and understanding of ecological balance, particularly in commercial fisheries.
A study by geoscientists found that human pumping of groundwater poses a greater threat to coastal drinking water than climate change. Most coastal aquifers are relatively unaffected by rising sea levels, but human activity is causing concerns.
Scientists have tracked water from Bass Strait to the Indian Ocean using ocean gliders, revealing a 200-metre tall wall of water and discovering undiluted Bass Strait water hundreds of kilometres away. The study showcases the benefits of Australia's Integrated Marine Observing System.
Researchers at Oregon State University say ocean microbes are shifting in response to warming oceans, but the impact on carbon sequestration and global warming is uncertain. Microbial communities play a crucial role in pumping carbon out of the atmosphere, with nearly half of photosynthesis attributed to plankton.
A team of researchers has found a new method by which seawater can corrode nuclear fuel, creating uranium compounds that could potentially travel long distances in solution or as tiny particles. The discovery highlights the need to consider this phenomenon in future nuclear operations.
Scientists have revealed the world's deepest known 'black smoker' vents, which may be hotter than 450 °C and are home to thousands of a new shrimp species. The discovery suggests that deep-sea vents may be more widespread around the world than previously thought.
Scientists found that a low-pressure pattern in the Arctic Oscillation caused Russian river water to flow into the Beaufort Sea, freshening it. The phenomenon has significant implications for global climate, as freshwater can protect sea ice and affect ocean circulation.
Research suggests that Burmese pythons from the Florida Everglades can survive in marine and estuarine environments for several months, raising concerns about their potential spread to nearby islands. The study found that hatchling pythons could live up to five months with only salt water to drink.
NOAA scientists predict debris from the Japanese tsunami may reach US shores this winter, posing a challenge for responders to track and predict its location. The agency is coordinating with partners to collect data and prepare for various scenarios.
Researchers analyzed changes in ocean oxygenation at the end of the last Ice Age, finding a dramatic decline in dissolved oxygen concentrations. This suggests that climate change may lead to significant oxygen depletion in oceans, harming marine life.
A new study analyzes radioactivity discharged from the Fukushima Dai-Ichi nuclear power plants and finds that while levels are high, they pose no direct exposure threat to humans or marine life. However, accumulated radionuclides in marine sediments remain poorly understood.
Scientists at University of New Hampshire will provide sea level rise data for next IPCC report. The data, currently poorly understood, will be used to estimate the contribution of mountain glaciers to sea level rise.
Researchers have found evidence of CO2 binding in brine channels within sea ice, where microorganisms thrive. This phenomenon diminishes the greenhouse effect and could inform global climate models.
A multidisciplinary team will deploy to Pine Island Glacier in Antarctica to measure the shape of the cavity underneath the ice shelf and determine how warm ocean water interacts with it. The goal is to understand why the glacier is accelerating and contributing to sea-level rise.
Climate change is expected to force sea creatures to migrate several hundred kilometres to find suitable habitats, driven by rising water temperatures and seasonal changes. This poses significant challenges for marine biodiversity hotspots and fisheries management.
A study published in BioScience found that US East and Gulf Coast ports are disproportionately affected by unmanaged ballast water, allowing invasive species to harm local ecosystems. The West Coast is better protected due to more stringent open-ocean exchange practices.
Researchers demonstrate a new technique to study the impact of swimming jellyfish on ocean climate, using Self-Contained Underwater Velocimetry Apparatus (SCUVA) to track water movement. The study suggests that combined ocean life movements could have a significant impact on global climate.
Scientists are creating greener technology to prevent marine biofouling, a problem that costs the US Navy over $50 million annually. Researchers have developed stimuli-responsive surfaces that can shake off slime, inspired by nature's own anti-fouling systems.
New research from the University of Missouri examines past greenhouse climate intervals to understand interactions among atmosphere, oceans, and climate. The study found changes in ocean circulation patterns 70 million years ago could help scientists understand modern increases in greenhouse gases.
The study found that ancient oceans contained lethal sulfide, making vast areas of seafloor inhospitable to animals. The discovery suggests that poisonous oceans delayed the emergence of animal life on Earth.
Scientists have discovered thousands of Earth-oceans' worth of water within the planet-forming disk of TW Hydrae. This finding suggests that comets could deliver vast amounts of water to new planets through impacts. The detection was made using the Heterodyne Instrument for the Far-Infrared on the Hershel Space Observatory.
New research suggests that simple life, such as photosynthetic algae, could have survived the extreme conditions of a 'snowball Earth' event. A long, narrow body of water like the Red Sea would create enough resistance to glacial ice, allowing open water and light to coexist.
The Baltic Sea is a significant source of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, according to a recent study by the University of Gothenburg. The sea's ability to absorb carbon dioxide without increasing acidity has decreased in some regions, while increased in others due to local variations.
Researchers from UNH and NOAA successfully mapped over 17,000 square kilometers of the Gulf of Mexico using multibeam sonar technology. The technology detects gas seeps in the water column with remarkable accuracy, providing essential data for understanding ocean environments and regulating oil-drilling activities.
Astronomers at the University of Michigan discovered ocean-like water in Comet Hartley 2, a finding that suggests comets may have delivered a significant portion of Earth's oceans. The discovery was made using data from the Herschel Space Observatory and suggests that the source of Earth's oceans is more complex than previously thought.
Researchers found diverse mineralogies in two troughs of Noctis Labyrinthus, Mars, indicating a potentially habitable environment and liquid water presence. Additionally, studies on EarthScope seismic observations and the formation of high delta18O fayalite-bearing A-type granite reveal key factors for these unique rock types.
Scientists have confirmed the presence of the North Icelandic Jet (NIJ), a deep-ocean circulation system off Iceland that contributes to key components of ocean circulation. The NIJ is a major contributor to the Denmark Strait Overflow Water, critically important for regulating Earth's climate.
Researchers confirm presence of a deep-reaching ocean circulation system off Iceland that influences the ocean's response to climate change in unprecedented ways. The North Icelandic Jet contributes to the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, transporting warm surface water and affecting global climate patterns.
A team of researchers discovered that a single extracellular protein, ECMP-67, drives the formation of calcite in soft corals. This finding allows for understanding how these organisms thrive in environments where other species cannot survive.
Researchers measured a spike in radioactive sulfur in the air, revealing that 400 billion neutrons were released per square meter surface of cooling pools between March 13 and March 20, 2011. The levels reached California coast, but posed no threat to human health.
The recycling of the Earth's crust in volcanoes is faster than previously thought, with rock from oceanic crust resurfacing in the mantle within half a billion years. This discovery was made using volcanic rock samples and challenges the previous estimate of two billion years.
A new network of deep-ocean moorings is being deployed in the Indonesia Archipelago to measure changes in ocean currents between the Pacific and Indian Oceans. The moorings will help scientists understand the impact of these currents on Australia's climate, including tropical weather patterns and seasonal rainfall.
A Yale University study argues that seawater desalination can help combat worldwide fresh water shortages once conservation methods are exhausted. Researchers suggest making pre- and post-treatment stages more efficient for substantial energy and cost savings.
A study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that small amounts of subsurface warming can trigger a rapid collapse of ice shelves. The research provides historical evidence that warming water by 3-4 degrees was enough to cause mass discharges of icebergs into the North Atlantic Ocean.
A University of Arizona-led team found that rising sea levels during the Last Interglacial Period were primarily driven by melting ice sheets, rather than thermal expansion. The study suggests that even small amounts of warming may have committed to more ice sheet melting, and sea levels will continue to rise for a long time.
New research reveals that climate change is negatively impacting the ocean's capacity to absorb human-produced carbon dioxide, with warmer water holding less carbon. This finding challenges previous studies and highlights the need for improved data sets and expanded analysis in other oceans.
Stronger ocean currents beneath West Antarctica's Pine Island Glacier Ice Shelf are eroding the ice from below, speeding its melting. The glacier is sliding into the sea at four kilometers a year, while its ice shelf is melting at 80 cubic kilometers a year.
Humpback whales employ complex feeding maneuvers involving bubble nets to corral and contain planktonic prey. The study reveals novel behaviors such as 'double-loops' and team cooperation, showcasing advanced tool use similar to that of apes.
A new study led by the University of Heidelberg and involving the University of Colorado Boulder has found strong evidence for a large-scale, subterranean saltwater ocean on Enceladus. The research suggests that the plumes shooting water vapor and ice particles into space originate from an ocean beneath the icy surface of the moon.