Articles tagged with Seawater
The Census of Marine Life has made significant progress towards its goal, with new discoveries including Antarctic ancestry of many octopus species and behemoth bacteria. The report details major advances in technology, knowledge organization, and measurement of human impact on ocean life.
Research reveals sea snakes dehydrate in saltwater and prefer freshwater or diluted brackish water. The findings may help explain the patchy distribution of sea snakes and their vulnerability to climate change.
Researchers have found large coral reefs growing in cold, deep waters of the Atlantic Ocean, up to 1,000 meters below the surface. These cold-water corals thrive in areas with strong tidal currents and nutrient-rich seawater, allowing them to feed on algae and zooplankton.
A new model for Grand Canyon erosion proposes that tectonic uplift drove incision, while opal formation on Mars suggests interaction with water occurred over a longer period. Fossils from the Burgess Shale have preserved soft tissues through mineralization, providing insights into ancient life.
Researchers successfully tracked juvenile Pacific salmon from their release in freshwater to distant ocean destinations, providing insights into their life experience and decline. The study also found that survival rates were comparable between dammed and un-dammed rivers.
Researchers measured chemical tracers in ancient fish scales and bones to estimate ancient ocean circulation patterns during greenhouse climates. Their findings contradict previous models, proposing sinking of warm waters and enhanced mixing in the Late Cretaceous North Atlantic Ocean.
Studies reveal that solar forcing has negligible impact on recent global warming, while a declining Arctic sea ice cover threatens an ice-free North Pole. A new model also explains the behavior of slow earthquakes by simulating random fault slip.
Researchers found that Pickleweed can thrive in saline conditions and tolerate high concentrations of boron, allowing for substantial reduction in drainage water volumes. The study suggests a potential solution for growers on California's Westside to reduce environmental impacts and costs associated with disposal.
Geoscientist David Kreamer proposes recycling decommissioned U.S. Navy vessels into mobile desalinization plants to address global water scarcity. The plan harnesses wind, wave, and solar power to create fresh water, potentially reaching remote areas quickly.
The world's oceans are becoming more acidic due to increased carbon dioxide levels, causing sounds to travel farther underwater. This change could improve communication for marine mammals but increase background noise, affecting their behavior.
A team of earth scientists found ocean floor geysers in the Pacific Ocean that warm flowing sea water. This discovery suggests possible marine life in a previously barren area.
Researchers use wave energy to pump cold, nutrient-rich water from deep ocean to surface waters near Hawaii, aiming to control plankton growth. They believe this can help mitigate global greenhouse buildup by understanding large-scale interactions between the atmosphere and ocean.
Climate models predict a nearly ice-free Arctic Ocean by 2050, which will restore conditions that allowed Pacific shellfish to invade the Atlantic three million years ago. Several north Pacific species have relatives in the North Atlantic and are expected to resume their invasion when cold conditions return.
Researchers have tagged one male and two female leatherback turtles off Cape Cod, the first time these elusive giants have been tracked in New England. The satellites will provide real-time tracking data to better understand their behavior and habitat.
Researchers found that water temperature in Antarctica was too warm for modern-day ice to exist, with temperatures ranging from 11-13°C at the surface and 23-25°C at the bottom. The study suggests a greenhouse Earth, with warmer seas and little or no ice in Antarctica, according to research published this week in Geology.
A study on leatherback turtle migration patterns reveals that they respond to strong ocean currents with rapid movements to maintain their southern route. The researchers identified specific high-use areas occupied by the turtles, providing crucial information for conservation efforts.
Scientists studied carbon export in the deep Arctic Ocean, finding that most particulate organic carbon enters from surrounding continental margins. Meanwhile, research on Venus's magnetic field reveals new structures and turbulence patterns within its induced magnetosphere. Additionally, Antarctic sea ice forms unique, organism-rich l...
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin found that internal waves can generate intense currents when traveling along continental slopes, lifting sediments and contributing to ocean mixing. These currents, called boundary flows, also play a role in larger ocean currents by bringing cold water up from the deep ocean.
An international team of researchers has discovered extensive layers of volcanic ash on the seafloor of the Gakkel Ridge in the Arctic Ocean, indicating a gigantic volcanic eruption. The find challenges previous assumptions that explosive volcanism cannot occur at great water depths.
Researchers found pyroclastic deposits, glassy rock fragments, and talus blocks at 4,000 meters below sea surface. The discovery suggests that deep-sea volcanic eruptions are possible due to high CO2 buildup in magma.
A new study shows that shallow water corals originated from deep-sea animals that invaded and diversified in shallow waters. The researchers found evidence of this transition in DNA and fossils, revealing an arms-race between corals and their predators as they built skeletal defenses.
The Greenland Ice Sheet's melting rate is accelerating, with projected fresh water flow into the North Atlantic Ocean increasing from 438 cubic kilometers to 650 cubic kilometers by 2100. This will cause sea levels to rise at a faster rate of 1.6 millimeters per year.
Researchers found that high-energy electrons are lost by the inner radiation belt during VLF transmitter periods, suggesting human systems can control radiation belt dynamics. Additionally, enhanced mixing within Southern Ocean fronts influences global ocean circulation and climate.
The Monitor National Marine Sanctuary off North Carolina's coast is generally healthy, with abundant marine life and water quality. However, the wreck of the Civil War ironclad poses risks due to corrosion, strong currents, and discarded fishing gear.
The new NOAA ocean observing system in Pascagoula provides mariners with free real-time information on water and wind conditions. This enhancement reduces vessel groundings and increases cargo movement through the port.
A new study has found a marine bacterium, AW4, that can accelerate the composting process of polluted seaweed, making it a promising method for disposing of toxic wakame waste in oceans. The discovery could provide an effective means of recycling organic substances and reducing pollution.
A UC Riverside-led study tracked biogeochemical signatures in ancient sedimentary rocks to establish the nature and timing of oxygenation in Earth's atmosphere. The research suggests that a molybdenum-depleted ocean may have retarded the development of complex life for nearly two billion years.
Researchers at U-M have developed a ballast-free ship concept that can block non-native aquatic species from entering the Great Lakes while eliminating costly sterilization equipment. The design reduces power consumption by up to 7.3% and would save shipping companies millions of dollars.
A new 300km diameter giant ocean eddy has emerged off the NSW coast, with scientists tracing its birth to last August. The cold water at the new eddy's centre has welled up about 500m from the ocean depths, providing valuable insights into ocean forecasting systems.
A new study finds that higher CO2 concentrations increase phytoplankton productivity in the Ross Sea, Antarctica, promoting larger diatom chains. Additionally, research suggests that to stabilize global temperatures, future greenhouse gas emissions must be eliminated, committing the climate system to warming on centennial timescales.
A new study by 31 scientists shows that streams play a critical role in filtering out excess nitrogen that feeds algae blooms. The research found that streams are most effective at removing nitrogen when they are not overloaded with fertilizers and other human activities.
Streams are effective nitrogen filters, but their capacity to remove pollutants is limited by high loading rates. Researchers used a tracer to track nitrate additions in 72 streams across the US and Puerto Rico.
A recent study by NOAA scientists suggests that changes in ocean-atmosphere conditions may be a primary factor in declining European eel reproduction and survival rates. The North Atlantic Oscillation is believed to be a key driver of these changes, which can impact the development of glass eels, the juvenile stage of the eel population.
Rising greenhouse gas emissions are causing ocean warming, acidification, and altering circulation patterns, posing significant threats to coral reefs and other marine ecosystems. The panelists emphasize the need for drastic action to reduce emissions to mitigate these impacts.
A team of scientists from NOAA and Oregon State University have discovered widespread areas of low-oxygen water off the northwest coast, which may be causing deaths of marine animals that cannot escape. The study suggests that these conditions are associated with coastal upwelling and plankton production.
Researchers from Oregon State University find that Pacific Northwest coast low-oxygen events are unprecedented and may be caused by stronger winds due to global warming. Hypoxic conditions have been recurring since 2002, with severe impacts on marine life.
A new hybrid vehicle, powered by the heat differences in the ocean, has successfully completed its first oceanic test drive. The 'thermal glider' harvests heat energy to propel itself across thousands of kilometers of water, offering a virtually unlimited energy source for propulsion.
Researchers identify critical thresholds in climate system components that could trigger drastic changes, such as the melting of Arctic sea-ice and Greenland Ice Sheet. These 'tipping elements' require immediate consideration in international climate politics to prevent potentially catastrophic consequences.
Researchers discovered that the Lost City hydrothermal vent field produces building blocks of life, including hydrocarbons and acetate, in higher concentrations and with more complexity than typical black smoker systems. This finding is significant for understanding the origin of life on Earth and other solar bodies.
A saline nasal wash solution improved nasal symptoms and reduced the recurrence of respiratory infections in children with the common cold. Children using the saline group had fewer days of illness, missed school days, or complications compared to those receiving standard medication.
Researchers found evidence of 200,000 year period of widespread glaciation in the 'super greenhouse' climate. Ice sheets were approximately 60% the size of modern Antarctic ice cap and existed when alligators lived in the Arctic.
A Duke University-led study found that North Atlantic Ocean surface waters warmed from 1950 to 2000 due to natural wind patterns called the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), not human-caused global warming. The subpolar regions cooled while subtropical and tropical waters warmed
The GITEWS consortium has finalized key components, including automatic data processing software SeisComP3 and underwater communication systems. The ocean modeling calculations are also complete, enabling the system to be set into operation at the end of 2008.
A team of Chilean and IRD scientists found that the Pacific seaboard experienced significant cooling between 1820 and 1878 due to a large continent-ocean temperature contrast. This discovery sheds new light on El Niño's variability, which may intensify in a warming world.
The Arctic's natural 'sunscreen' is melting at an unprecedented rate due to record-breaking amounts of ice-free water, leading to sea surface temperatures rising by as much as 5 degrees C above average. This phenomenon can delay winter freeze-up and impact the growth of thick ice in the winter.
Researchers at UCLA have successfully captured and measured the statistical properties of optical rogue waves, which are brief pulses of intense light. The study's findings may help develop mathematical models that can identify conditions leading to rare but extreme events in various fields.
Damming the Red Sea could solve the region's growing energy demands and alleviate oil supply tensions through hydroelectric power. However, such a massive project may cause untold ecological harm and displace countless people from their homes.
Researchers have found that less carbon is transported to deep water during natural plankton blooms than during the rest of the year, suggesting the Biological Pump leaks. This discovery challenges ocean fertilization schemes, which ignore natural processes and may not remove as much carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
A global ocean observing system is crucial to measure the health of our oceans and respond to climate change. The Partnership for Observation of the Global Oceans urges completion of a comprehensive system within 10 years.
A holistic approach is needed to cope with freshwater needs, primarily through seawater desalination and brackish water desalination. Renewable energy sources like wind, solar, and wave power can be used in conjunction to generate electricity and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers are exploring land-based 'black smoker' sites to gain insights into harnessing geothermal energy. The project, led by UC Davis, uses a deep drilling approach to study the interaction between hot rocks and fluids.
A new study suggests that the Great Dying 250 million years ago may have been caused by creeping environmental stress from volcanic eruptions and global warming. The research finds that organisms in the deep ocean died first, followed by those on ocean shelves and reefs, supporting a model that attributes the extinction to enormous vol...
A new study reveals that the ocean was able to store more CO2 during the ice age than it can today. The team measured carbon isotope signatures in sea bed sediments and found that deep Pacific water has not been at the surface for over 2,000 years.
Research shows small-scale fishing operations pose a significant threat to the survival of north Pacific loggerhead sea turtles, with mortality rates reduced through local conservation efforts. The study highlights the importance of educating fishermen and removing dangerous gear to protect these endangered species.
Rising sea-surface temperatures in the Barents Sea have led to a decline in winter ice cover over the past 26 years. The study found that warming ocean temperatures, driven by increasing greenhouse gases, are the primary cause of this trend. In contrast, Arctic pack ice is expected to continue its rapid decline due to atmospheric effects.
Researchers discovered that brine moving up or down through floating sea ice follows universal transport properties, similar to water flow through sedimentary rocks. This finding can help improve forecasts of global warming's impact on polar icepacks and understand how polar ecosystems respond to climate change.
A recent study by UWM paleoecologist Margaret Fraiser suggests that elevated CO2 levels contributed to the Permian-Triassic mass extinction, with bivalves emerging as the only survivors. The research provides valuable insights into the impact of CO2 on marine ecosystems and could help scientists predict future oceanic changes.
Scientists detected a long-term increase in tropical rainfall, with the rainiest years since 2001. The increase is attributed to a warming trend, which enhances evaporation and allows more moisture to form clouds.
Oregon State University will lead a component of the National Science Foundation's Ocean Observatories Initiative, located in the Pacific Northwest's coastal ocean. The $331.5 million research facility project will create a distributed, multi-tiered observatory spanning global, regional and coastal scales.
A call has been made for a Southern Hemisphere network of deep ocean moorings to monitor changes in the Southern Ocean circulation, which could influence global climate. The North Atlantic moored network provides measurements of the Gulf Stream, a significant feature in moderating European and North American climate.