Research on the ocean's chemistry and ice. Covers ocean carbon capture, forever chemicals in sea spray, Antarctic change, and sea-ice clouds.
Researchers found that changes in wind patterns drive variations in the depth of the surface layer of seawater, affecting air-sea exchange and carbon storage. This impacts biological productivity by altering nutrient availability for phytoplankton growth.
Research found that spore-like acantharian cysts rapidly sink from surface waters to the deep ocean, delivering significant amounts of organic matter to the ocean depths. This phenomenon may be part of an extraordinary reproductive strategy allowing juveniles to exploit a seasonal food bonanza.
Researchers found that the East Siberian Arctic Shelf is releasing massive amounts of methane into the atmosphere, comparable to the entire world's oceans. This could trigger abrupt climate warming due to methane's potent greenhouse gas properties.
The study aims to understand how changing climate affects phytoplankton growth and organic carbon distributions. Researchers will collect data on sea surface temperatures, salinities and chlorophyll levels to refine biogeochemistry models.
A new study suggests that pumping nutrient-rich water to boost algal growth and draw carbon dioxide from the atmosphere may not be an effective solution to combat global warming. The simulation results show modest climatic benefits, with potential risks of exacerbating global warming if the scheme fails.
Researchers found subtropical waters as warm as 39 degrees Fahrenheit in Sermilik Fjord, contributing to glacier melting. The study highlights the rapid communication between ocean circulation and glaciers, shedding light on a previously unknown connection not currently included in climate models.
Researchers discovered diverse corals harboring unusual, thermally tolerant algae species in the Andaman Sea. These findings suggest some coral reefs may persist despite future global warming.
A new model of ancient ocean chemistry suggests a stratified marine basin with oxygen-rich, sulfidic and ferruginous water layers. This discovery challenges traditional theories on early animal evolution and provides insights into the earliest life on Earth.
Researchers studied mineralized microfossils, sea level rise, and mammalian fossils to better understand Earth's history. They also found evidence against the Lilliput Effect and geochemical mapping of Mars.
Researchers found that the current interglacial period has lasted 2.0-2.5 millennia longer than predicted by dominant theory, raising questions about natural climate trends and human impact. The study suggests that orbital changes may still influence climate for another two thousand years or so.
Researchers reconstruct past ocean chemistry using calcium carbonate veins that precipitate from seawater-derived fluids in rocks beneath the seafloor. The composition of past seawater can be determined from suites of calcium carbonate veins that formed millions of years ago, providing valuable insights into climate and ocean evolution.
A long-term study found polar bears in the southern Beaufort Sea are shifting their habitat use from sea ice to land and open water, increasing human-bear interactions. The study, conducted between 1979 and 2005, shows a significant increase in bear sightings on land and in open water.
Human carbon dioxide emissions impact ocean acoustics by increasing transparency to low-frequency sound, potentially affecting marine mammals' communication. The pH of surface seawater will drop by 0.6 units by 2100, leading to a 70% decrease in sound absorption.
Researchers studying Greenland's glaciers have discovered that meltwater plays a more complex role in ice loss than previously thought. Water flowing beneath the ice contributes to ice loss through fast-moving outlet glaciers, but its effect is negligible overall.
A new study finds that offshore waters off the Chilean coast experienced systematic oxygen depletion during the rapid warming of the Antarctic following the last glacial maximum. The research suggests that climate change may be contributing to outbreaks of hypoxia along the near-shore regions of South America and the Pacific Northwest.
A new CU-Boulder study reveals the northern Alaska coastline is eroding up to one-third the length of a football field annually. The conditions are caused by a combination of declining sea ice, warming seawater, and increased wave activity, which are leading to the steady retreat of bluffs along the Beaufort Sea.
High-resolution computer simulations reveal that North Atlantic water enters the Arctic Ocean through three main routes: Fram Strait, Barents Sea northern branch, and southern branch. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of ocean climate change mechanisms.
The University of Alaska Fairbanks has selected Marinette Marine Corporation to build the 254-foot Alaska Region Research Vessel, a state-of-the-art platform for studying climate change and its implications on the Arctic environment. The $123 million contract is funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Researchers found Kuwait Bay's sea surface temperature rose at an average rate of 0.62°C per decade, three times the global average. This increase is attributed to 50% due to local drivers such as wind and river flow, while 13% is caused by human activity.
Scientists estimate a decline in the oceans' ability to absorb manmade carbon, potentially impacting future climate. The study found that the proportion of fossil-fuel emissions absorbed by the oceans since 2000 may have declined by up to 10%.
A new study confirms the Greenland ice sheet is losing mass at an accelerating rate, primarily driven by accelerated iceberg production and increased surface meltwater. The research suggests this trend is likely to continue in the near future, with significant implications for global sea level rise.
A new Stanford University study suggests the early ocean was much more temperate and life likely diversified and spread across the globe sooner. The researchers analyzed isotope ratios in ancient rocks, finding that the ocean temperature could not have been more than 40C, contradicting previous estimates of at least 55 degrees Celsius.
Researchers have developed a new model that explains the formation of banded iron formations, offering insights into the early ocean floor's composition and geochemical conditions. The study suggests that interactions between rocks, water, and air played a crucial role in creating these iconic formations.
Tropical Depression Parma has weakened but is still causing trouble in the Philippines with public storm warning signals in effect for many areas. The satellite image shows high, cold thunderstorm cloud tops in Parma, associated with moderate to heavy rainfall.
The OceanScope Working Group aims to collect high-resolution data on ocean interior dynamics and its impact on climate. Representatives from academia, industry, and government agencies are working together to establish a global network of ocean observation platforms on commercial ships.
Researchers have named a new species of chimaera, an ancient group of fishes distantly related to sharks, from the coast of Southern California and Baja California. The Eastern Pacific black ghostshark (Hydrolagus melanophasma) is known from nine preserved museum specimens and video footage taken of it alive in deep water.
Oceanographers at University of Hawaii at Manoa found that deeper pelagic fish have higher mercury concentrations due to their unique diets. The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, highlights the importance of understanding the open ocean ecosystem to sustainably manage fish populations.
Scientists from Stanford University and their international colleagues use cutting-edge technology to monitor the Gulf of Aqaba's surface currents, shedding light on its complex dynamics. The research helps environmental agencies respond to spills and minimize pollution, while also informing large-scale water projects.
Researchers at Oregon State University have created a global three-dimensional map of electrical conductivity in the Earth's mantle, indicating areas of high conductivity coincide with subduction zones. The model suggests that water drawn downward during subduction processes may be responsible for enhanced conductivity in these areas.
Scientists report that plastics in the ocean decompose with surprising speed, releasing potentially toxic substances like bisphenol A and PS oligomer. This discovery highlights the need for further research on plastic decomposition and its effects on marine life and human health.
Sumita B. Mitra's research on dental materials has restored millions of decayed teeth, while William E. Mickols and John Cadotte invented filters to desalinate seawater, providing fresh water for millions worldwide. Their innovations have led to significant breakthroughs in medicine and technology.
The project aims to create the most detailed maps of Oregon's seafloor along its coast, measuring water depth, identifying navigational hazards, and recording natural features. The data collected will help researchers and coastal managers protect coastal communities and marine habitats.
The CHIKYU vessel conducted the first riser-drilling operation in the Nankai Trough earthquake zone, reaching a depth of 1,603.7 meters beneath the seafloor. The operation provided valuable information on geological formations and stress-strain characteristics.
Researchers successfully conducted riser-drilling operations in the Nankai Trough earthquake zone to gather information on geological formations and stress-strain characteristics. This technology enabled dynamic formation testing and measurement of stress, water pressure, and rock permeability.
A new study published in the International Journal of Astrobiology claims that comets contained vast oceans of liquid water during their formation, providing ideal conditions for primitive bacteria to grow and multiply. The study's findings support the theory of cometary panspermia, which suggests that life was introduced to Earth by c...
Researchers from Caltech have discovered a mechanism that explains how tiny swimming animals can affect the ocean environment, creating instability and mixing large scales. The impact of biogenic ocean mixing is estimated to be comparable to wind forcing and tidal forcing.
A Scripps-led study reveals that improving ocean health can accelerate coral reef recovery after bleaching events. Corals from reefs with clean water and abundant sea life bounced back to normal growth rates within two to three years.
Climate model simulations suggest the Toba supervolcano's eruption caused a decade of severe volcanic winters, with devastating consequences for humanity and ecosystems. The study also analyzed fault movement during the Wenchuan earthquake, finding that simultaneous ruptures of two faults contributed to the disaster. Additionally, scie...
Researchers found that Antarctic species are already near their upper temperature limit, making them vulnerable to ecological imbalances. Smaller individuals can tolerate higher temperatures, while active predators fare better than sessile species, potentially disrupting the food chain and leading to greater ecosystem damage.
Researchers detect sodium salts in Enceladus plume, confirming presence of salty ocean beneath moon's surface. The concentration of sodium chloride is estimated to be similar to Earth's oceans, with a concentration of 0.1-0.3 moles per kilogram of water.
A recent study suggests that Saturn's moon Enceladus' water vapor jets originate from the surface and not an underground ocean. The research, conducted by the University of Colorado at Boulder, found that the sodium content in the water vapor was too low to support the geyser hypothesis.
Mercury levels in the Mackenzie River delta have been dramatically increased, exceeding previous estimates by an entire year's worth of mercury. This is a significant concern for northern communities that rely heavily on Arctic fish species and Beluga whales as a food source.
A new study published in New Journal of Physics suggests that the Earth's main magnetic field may be induced by ocean currents, defying previous theories. The researchers found correlations between changes in ocean circulation and geomagnetic secular variation, which could revolutionize our understanding of the magnetosphere.
A recent study published in Hydrological Processes reveals that the Greenland ice sheet is a major contributor to sea-level rise, accounting for nearly 25% of global sea-rise in the past 13 years. The study also shows that seas are rising at a rate of over 3 millimeters per year, more than 50% faster than the average for the 20th century.
Researchers explore geologic evolution of Savu Island, active tectonic maps for the Tibet-Himalaya region, and syntectonic zoning in biotite porphyroblasts. The study also delves into the potential for explosive eruptions and growth patterns of silicic volcanoes.
The study reveals that human impacts, such as dams and agriculture, are the main cause of sediment accumulation in Catalan rivers. Global warming also exacerbates the problem by reducing river discharge.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have created a non-toxic coating that resists barnacle buildup for up to 18 months, saving ship owners millions in cleaning and fuel costs. The unique wrinkled topography of the coating prevents barnacles from latching on, a finding that could significantly reduce drag and fuel consumption.
The Arctic Ocean's ownership is disputed due to varying assumptions about its geography, with countries like Russia and Canada viewing it as land with water on top, while the US sees it as just water. This misunderstanding can lead to large-scale disputes over resource extraction.
New research suggests that moderate to high rates of ice melt from Greenland may shift ocean circulation by about 2100, causing sea levels off the northeast coast of North America to rise by 30-51 centimeters (12-20 inches) more than other coastal areas. This could lead to significant impacts on major northeastern cities.
Research suggests that moderate to high Greenland ice melt rates could drive 4-12 inches of additional water towards heavily populated areas in the northeastern US and Canada, on top of average global sea level rise. This could lead to significant impacts on the northeast US coast by 2100.
A NASA/University team developed a method to indicate the presence of oceans on extrasolar Earth-like worlds by analyzing how Earth's light changes as it rotates. The technique relies on observing blue color changes caused by oceans, which appear bluer than continents.
A new study found that the West Antarctic Ice Sheet's collapse would raise global sea levels by only 3.3 meters, not the previously estimated 5-6 meters, with US coastal areas experiencing a 25% increase in sea level rise, posing significant threats to cities like New York and San Francisco.
Scientists estimate that the collapse of West Antarctica's ice sheet would raise global sea levels by 3.3 meters, not five or six as previously thought. The region's unique below-sea level topography makes it more prone to instability.
Researchers at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and Duke University have discovered a new pathway for cold water to flow southward in the North Atlantic. The study used field observations and computer models to find that much of the Labrador Sea Water follows an interior path, not along the traditional deep western boundary current.
Researchers used sophisticated floats to show that much of the cold Labrador seawater is diverted eastward by the time it reaches Massachusetts, rather than following a continuous loop with warm surface waters. This finding may affect global warming forecasters and climate signal measurement in the deep ocean.
A landmark USGS study documents the process of methylmercury formation in the North Pacific Ocean, which contaminates tuna and other seafood. The study shows that long-range transport of mercury from Asia is a significant pathway, highlighting the need for reduced mercury emissions to protect public health.
The University of Washington's seaglider successfully operated for six months under the ice in Davis Strait, collecting data on fresh water exiting the Arctic. The record-breaking deployment contributes to understanding climate change impacts on ocean circulation.
Researchers found a layer on top of subducted plates where S-waves are 30-50% slower than typical oceanic crust, indicating high water saturation levels. This ultra-slow-velocity layer is linked to slow earthquakes and non-volcanic tremors, providing clues about their causes.
The University of Miami's Rosenstiel School received a $900,000 gift from the G. Unger Vetlesen Foundation to purchase an ICP-MS, expanding its analytical capabilities. The new equipment will enable scientists to study smaller samples and analyze trace elements in ocean water samples.
Dartmouth researchers found a significant increase in rare element osmium worldwide, tracing it to platinum refinement and catalytic converters. The team measured osmium in precipitation, surface water, and deep water globally, with most of the findings linked to industrial processes.