Articles tagged with Seawater
Scientists have discovered evidence of man's environmental impact at an underwater volcano, revealing lead pollution originating from Australia that traveled thousands of miles to the Mediterranean. The study highlights the growing power of using high-precision isotopic measurements as a tracing tool.
A Johns Hopkins University researcher found that corals can switch from using aragonite to calcite minerals in building their skeletons based on the magnesium-to-calcium ratio of seawater. This change poses questions about coral reefs' future survival amid global warming and ocean acidification.
Scientists propose using GPS to aid in ocean-wide tsunami warning systems by detecting early seismic wave data. Researchers also explore unsolved problems in the lowermost mantle, including the origin of the D
A new study reveals that the Southern Ocean plays a significant role in regulating atmospheric carbon dioxide, with waters below 60 degrees south latitude soaking up carbon dioxide from the air. The research suggests that future research on carbon sequestration should focus on the Antarctic region.
Antarctic fish use the exocrine pancreas and stomach to produce antifreeze glycoproteins, contradicting earlier assumptions about liver production. The discovery sheds new light on teleost freeze-avoidance physiology.
Researchers found that mussel body temperatures vary with local climate conditions, even when air and water temperatures are the same. This means that protected areas for conservation may need to be tailored to specific locations.
Research papers in Geophysical Research Letters highlight climate change impacts on Mars, with data from orbiting spacecraft and rovers revealing a hemispheric dichotomy. In the Arctic, sea ice reduction is linked to inflows from the Pacific Ocean, while the Indian Ocean experiences decadal variability in its circulation. Scientists st...
Scientists from the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program have recovered sediments that indicate prevailing ice conditions during the last 14-16 million years. The study also found evidence of ice in the Arctic Ocean dating back 45 million years, while temperatures rose to subtropical levels 55 million years ago.
Researchers at the University of Manchester have identified seawater in volcanic gas samples from the Earth's mantle, supporting the theory that seawater is subducted deep into the Earth. The study reveals that up to 10% of the Earth's oceans have been absorbed into the planet since its formation.
Climate scientist Michael Schlesinger warns of catastrophic consequences of inaction on global warming, citing the shutdown of Atlantic thermohaline circulation. The professor's book emphasizes human-induced climate change and its devastating impact on sea levels and coastal cities.
A team of researchers found that the 2004 tsunami contaminated coastal drinking water sources in Sri Lanka by pouring seawater into open dug wells. The study also showed that efforts to restore wells were sometimes counterproductive, causing more contamination.
Researchers discovered that some coral species can replenish energy reserves by increasing feeding rates, allowing them to recover from bleaching events. However, even resilient species face a significant threat as global warming projections suggest up to 60% of the world's coral reefs could be lost within 10-30 years.
Nine lone walrus calves were reported swimming far from shore, unable to forage and likely to drown or starve. The researchers suggest that increased polar warming may lead to a significant population decline of the walrus species due to their inability to adapt to caring for their young in shallow waters without sea ice.
A FSU study suggests that Jesus could have walked on ice in the Sea of Galilee due to a rare combination of optimal water and atmospheric conditions. The researchers calculated the odds of such an event occurring as roughly once in 1,000 years.
Cold-water corals are vulnerable to ocean acidification, which can harm their ability to build skeletons. By 2100, only 30% of cold-water reefs may still be in waters supersaturated with aragonite, a form of calcium carbonate.
Researchers studying cod movements find that temperature changes may not limit adult cod migration patterns. The CODYSSEY project has tagged over 2500 cod, with 17% returning, shedding light on environmental factors affecting cod populations.
Research papers predict increased solar flares and storms due to enhanced solar radiation. The Antarctic Circumpolar Current is expected to strengthen with climate change induced by increasing greenhouse gases. Deep atmospheric convection enhances natural greenhouse gas feedbacks, leading to an amplified positive water vapor effect.
According to a NASA scientist, warmer water temperatures are increasing melting and accelerating ice flow in polar areas. The warming is primarily limited to the upper 1000 meters of the oceans, but has a deeper effect on the North Atlantic waters, where it has increased the melting of sea ice.
Researchers have developed a method to detect super-salty, submerged eddies called Meddies using sensor data from U.S. and European satellites. These warm, deep-water whirlpools play a significant role in carrying salty water from the Mediterranean Sea into the Atlantic, affecting global ocean circulation and climate change.
A new model of Titan's evolution, developed by the University of Nantes and University of Arizona, proposes that methane-rich ice stores the moon's atmospheric methane supply. The study validates data from ESA's Huygens probe, showing that methane outgassing occurs through cryovolcanic eruptions, producing temporary flows on the surface.
The world's first marine mining companies are assessing the economic potential of undersea deposits of polymetallic sulphides. Deep-sea robotics and technology are being developed to extract ore from watery depths, with potential benefits including reduced environmental impact compared to terrestrial mining.
Researchers are using electronic tags on marine animals to collect data on oceanographic conditions, such as water temperature and salinity. This data is being used to improve ocean circulation models and gain insights into the lives of California sea lions and other apex predators.
Research by Kline at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute found that high levels of sugar in seawater can kill corals by encouraging bacterial growth. This discovery underscores the need to consider the impact of carbon compounds on coral reefs when developing conservation efforts.
Researchers propose using over 8,000 barges to pump saltwater onto ice sheets in the North Atlantic, creating a thicker sea ice layer that could help strengthen the down-welling current. This method aims to reduce the impact of global warming on northern Europe's climate.
Scientists discovered that Antarctic krill 'parachute' several times during the night, injecting more carbon into the deep sea than previously understood. Krill feed on phytoplankton at night and excrete waste at depth, making them a key player in removing carbon from the atmosphere.
ICWater is a computer-based tool that integrates multiple information sources and data from incident commanders to help predict contaminant reach times for drinking water intakes. The tool is currently used by water utilities and response teams in the US, with an operational version set to be deployed nationally by summer 2006.
Scientists have found evidence of an abrupt ocean circulation reversal in the deep ocean, which they believe was triggered by global warming. This phenomenon, known as overturning, is critical for regulating global climate conditions and could have lasting effects on deep ocean circulation.
Scientists used ancient sea creature shells to uncover a monumental reversal in deep-ocean circulation patterns around the world. The shift was triggered by global warming and led to drastic climatological and biological changes.
The glacier has reached the midpoint of its projected retreat, with a shrinking length of 9 miles since 1980. The glacier's rapid retreat is attributed to complex physical processes and warming trends, resulting in an annual discharge of nearly 2 cubic miles of ice into the Prince William Sound.
A study by Michael Schlesinger predicts a high likelihood of thermohaline circulation collapse due to global warming. The shutdown would have devastating effects on the climate, including warmer temperatures in the southern hemisphere and colder temperatures in the northern hemisphere.
A new study finds that sea otters played a key role in driving up the size of abalones in California's coastal kelp forests. The researchers speculate that by preying on sea urchins and smaller snails, otters allowed abalones to thrive and grow huge on abundant kelp.
Researchers found that alum and polyacrylamide were highly effective in removing dissolved phosphorus and suspended sediment in river waters entering the lake. This treatment could help meet California's growing population needs, support commercial growth, and develop the region as a water-sports recreational area.
Researchers discovered two types of fluids at depths of up to 180 kilometers, with one being a liquid rich in water and the other a thick hydrous melt containing dissolved matter. This study sheds light on the role of hidden fluids in shaping precipitation and volcanic eruptions.
The $400,000 award will fund a starshade-shaped 'New Worlds Observer' that blocks parent star light and captures planet images. Scientists can map planetary systems, detect biomarkers and study features like oceans and continents.
Researchers found that Agulhas eddies, which transport seawater from the Indian Ocean to the South Atlantic Ocean, are large warm rings of water with a diameter of about 300 kilometres. These eddies import considerable quantities of heat into the Atlantic Ocean, contributing to climate change and global warming.
The North Sea efficiently absorbs 8.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide annually through both physical and photosynthetic processes. This represents 20% of the world's total CO2 uptake, highlighting coastal seas as more efficient absorbers than open oceans.
Scientists have used satellite technology to track salmon sharks migrating from the glacial waters of Alaska to the warm seas off Hawaii. The study found that these top predators can survive in a broad range of thermal conditions due to specialized proteins in their heart muscle cells.
Researchers found sea surface height to be a reliable indicator of long-term climate cycles like El Niño. A hydrophone-based system could potentially detect tsunamis by analyzing pressure fluctuations. However, the lack of comprehensive glacier inventories limits understanding of sea level rise connections.
Researchers from NSF deployed instruments to measure water temperature and currents in the Gulf of Mexico. The results suggest that deep, warm eddies in the Loop Current play a crucial role in intensifying hurricanes. This study provides new insights into hurricane intensity changes during landfall.
A study by Georgia Tech researchers found the number of Category 4 and 5 hurricanes worldwide has nearly doubled over 35 years, despite a decrease in total hurricanes. Global sea surface temperatures have increased, driving this shift.
Researchers discovered that sponges are the most important inhabitants of underwater caves on coral reefs, filling over 60% of cavities. They filter massive quantities of planktonic particles, facilitating growth and conversion of organic to inorganic nutrients.
Scientists used satellite imagery to estimate that at least 23% of the Mississippi River's freshwater discharge traveled into the Gulf of Mexico, around Florida Keys, and into the Atlantic Ocean. The study combined MODIS data with ship observations to track the dark water plume's journey, reaching as far as the Georgia coast.
Scientists at MIT and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution found a lag in freshwater and saltwater inflows and outflows related to seasonal water table changes. Seawater intrusion into coastal aquifers may occur several months after precipitation, affecting nutrient and contaminant transport.
A rapid assessment survey found a type of sea squirt, Didemnum sp., in Cobscook Bay that can damage ocean floor habitats and commercial species. The bay is an important source of seafood, but further research and monitoring are needed to determine the extent of the threat.
Scientists discovered a consistent relationship between lightning strikes and ice content in clouds, supporting previous physics assumptions. In contrast, dense solar winds sometimes weaken auroral electrojets by compressing the magnetosphere.
Researchers tracked basking sharks using pop-up tags to study their diving behaviour. They found that sharks in shallow waters exhibit reversed behaviour compared to deep water, indicating a response to changes in zooplankton vertical migration.
Researchers have developed tools to study sea level change and its driving forces. The largest factor contributing to sea level rise is changes in ice coverage, accounting for about 220 feet of sea level.
NASA's new satellite measurements provide a reference for changes in ocean height, allowing scientists to better predict sea level rise and its causes. The data suggests that ice melting is the largest likely factor in global sea level change.
A computerized water monitoring system is deployed on the historic schooner The Pioneer, measuring water temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen in New York Harbor. Students can access data from home to learn about forecasting and environmental monitoring.
Researchers estimate that excess fresh water entered the North Atlantic Ocean, causing salinity changes and potentially slowing the ocean conveyor. The study suggests that a freshening threshold could be reached in a century, affecting heat transport and climate.
Researchers studied the La Jolla submarine canyon's effect on ocean waves, finding that up to 60% of wave energy was reflected back into the open ocean. Another study tracked sulfur hexafluoride through the Denmark Strait to understand its role in driving global climate.
Scientists discovered complex deformation in a subduction zone near Japan, while studying the effects of land water storage on global mean sea level over the past half century. Researchers also found a link between the ionosphere's plasma rise and depletion, and discovered that Siberian peatlands release copious carbon as they thaw
Scientists on a research cruise are assessing ocean temperatures and collecting water samples to identify levels of carbon dioxide. The study suggests that the jet stream's strength influences both weather patterns and ocean state, leading to recent major temperature changes in the Atlantic.
Researchers from WHOI studied salt fingers in the tropical Atlantic, injecting a tracer into the ocean and measuring its spread nine months later. The results showed enhanced mixing of salt and heat, with salt fingers playing a crucial role in shaping the ocean's temperature and salinity structure.
A decline in winter and spring snow cover over Southwest Asia and the Himalayan mountain range creates conditions for widespread blooms of ocean plants in the Arabian Sea. This is due to increased temperature and pressure differences between the Indian subcontinent and the Arabian Sea, leading to monsoon winds that mix the ocean water.
A 29-year study reveals that as ocean temperatures rise, the average weight of elephant seal pups decreases, impacting their survival rate. The decline in weaning weights coincided with an increase in mothers' foraging time and a decrease in mass gained.
Researchers reassess Martian landslides using recent images and propose alternative gravity-driven explanation. Ocean color tracking reveals 50-year dataset for phytoplankton abundance estimation. Aerosol concentrations in China's atmosphere reduce daily surface solar radiation since 1961, according to Geophysical Research Letters papers.
A research team has confirmed that ocean circulation in the southern hemisphere adapts to sudden changes in the north, enabling more accurate forecasts of ocean reactions to climate change. The study reveals a mechanism linking the two hemispheres, with waters in the southern hemisphere playing an active role in sudden climate changes.
Researchers have discovered how modern fish, such as pike and cod, developed a way to float at different water levels by inflating their swimbladders with gas. This is made possible by a complex system of arteries, veins, and special blood proteins that drive oxygen into the swimbladder.
The end-Permian extinction was caused by a combination of factors, including volcanic carbon dioxide emissions, which warmed surface ocean water. This reduced the amount of oxygen available in the deep oceans, leading to an increase in hydrogen sulfide production and ultimately, mass extinctions.