Research on the ocean's chemistry and ice. Covers ocean carbon capture, forever chemicals in sea spray, Antarctic change, and sea-ice clouds.
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.
The study found that only 10% of the original marshes survived as fully functioning wetlands after extensive drainage and irrigation, but also identified areas with high restoration potential.
Researchers find steady increase in Arctic river discharges since the 1960s, with annual rate of increase being 8.73 cubic kilometers per year. Human activity plays a major role in this trend, which is expected to intensify the global hydrological cycle.
A 9.0 earthquake off the coast of Indonesia shifted the North Pole by centimeters and decreased the length of day by 2.68 microseconds, according to NASA scientists. The quake also slightly changed the planet's shape and affected its oblateness.
Researchers found a new strain of Acaryochloris that uses infrared light for oxygen-evolving photosynthesis, opening up new habitats for oxygen production. The discovery reveals 'gene-jumping' between cyanobacteria and proteobacteria, rewriting the evolutionary timeline.
Researchers have made significant advancements in understanding Earth systems using highly detailed GPS observations. A new technique has improved the accuracy of GPS data by correcting for a time lag built into current satellite systems, allowing for more accurate measurement of dynamic ground motion. Additionally, studies have reveal...
The thermohaline circulation plays a vital role in maintaining current climate patterns. A shutdown could lead to regional climate change and extreme weather events in eastern North America and western Europe.
Scientists have found evidence of sulfates, cross-bedding, and blueberry mineral deposits that indicate liquid water was present on Mars. The discovery suggests the possibility of life existing on Mars in some form.
The CBLAST-Hurricane project is using new ocean probes to collect data on water conditions before, during, and after hurricanes. This information helps scientists develop better models to predict a hurricane's development, which can inform the size of storm surges that pose a threat to ships in port.
Researchers find that ancient corals built skeletons mostly of calcite, contrary to the long-held belief that this mineral is fixed over time. The study also reveals that corals in ancient seawater grew more slowly than those in modern water.
Researchers have made significant discoveries about the impact of human activities on the environment. A new study used satellite observations to estimate nitrogen oxide emissions from ships, which contribute approximately 23 gigagrams per year into the troposphere. Additionally, a seismic analysis technique has provided unprecedented ...
Researchers found that species diversity in local areas is directly proportional to species diversity in the region, highlighting the importance of regional forces in shaping biodiversity. Latitude also plays a significant role in local species richness, with diverse regions supporting more species.
Researchers are building a cyberinfrastructure to link communities of oceanographers via high-speed wireless and optical networks to observatories in the Northeast Pacific and offshore Southern California. The prototype grid will enable routine ocean access to researchers, educators, students, and the general public.
Researchers assess the accuracy of ocean general circulation models in representing deep convection in the Labrador Sea. They found that while one model simulated data more faithfully, it still suffered from problems, and further study is needed to improve understanding of this process.
Researchers found a large body of water, comparable to the Baltic Sea or all Great Lakes combined, near the NASA Opportunity rover's landing site on Mars. The study suggests that the ancient sea was present for an extended period and must have been deep enough to build up sediments roughly one-third of a mile deep.
Researchers used NASA's MODIS instruments to study dark water patches off the Florida coast, detecting glowing phytoplankton blooms. The findings suggest a connection between rivers and the ocean ecosystem, highlighting the need for coordinated efforts to mitigate black water events.
NASA's TOPEX/Poseidon and Jason-1 satellites offer near-real-time lake water height data for 350 of the world's largest lakes. The US Department of Agriculture uses this information to manage irrigation and forecast crop production, particularly in areas with limited access to traditional water level gauges.
Researchers found that unicellular organisms are fixing nitrogen at rates up to three times higher than previously reported for the Pacific Ocean. This influx of nitrogen has significant implications for global carbon sequestration and climate regulation.
Scientists have discovered a unique bi-modal distribution of particles in noctilucent clouds, which may be caused by atmospheric gravity and tidal waves. The San Andreas Fault Observatory project aims to drill into the fault zone to better understand earthquake generation and faulting processes.
A team of scientists has documented a new phenomenon where the seafloor creates a void that sucks in surrounding seawater. This discovery challenges scientific understanding of seafloor spreading and its impact on ocean crust. The researchers believe that the dilation of the ocean crust may lead to changes in water temperatures, chemic...
Researchers discovered that Pre-Columbian mural paintings in Mesoamerica contain information about the pre-recorded past magnetic field. Coastal areas experience 'breathing' due to sea tides, affecting aquifer air flow. Drift waves in the Earth's ionosphere may cause breakdown of magnetic structures. A generalized law for aftershocks e...
Experts are conducting a comprehensive census of marine life in the Arctic Ocean, which is experiencing rapid changes due to melting ice caps. The project aims to record and inventory biodiversity in the three main layers of the water column and study the effects of climate change on aquatic life.
The researchers plan to put in four observatories this summer, enabling them to conduct a kind of standard hydrogeologic testing commonly done on land. The observatories will allow measurements of temperature, pressure, fluid chemistry, and microbiology to be obtained from different depths in the borehole.
A study using earstones reveals that both totoaba and gulf corvina rely on brackish water in the Colorado River estuary for their early life, which is now threatened by freshwater diversion. The research provides evidence of human impact on these species' decline.
Researchers found that increased Labrador water transport due to Gulf Stream movement actually decreases primary productivity, contrary to expected outcomes. This phenomenon may be linked to nutrient supply and influence large-scale climatic effects on the carbon cycle.
A study found that planetary waves reflect instead of absorb in the subtropics, affecting weather patterns. Phytoplankton growth in Arctic waters is influenced by sea ice coverage, with polynyas impacting timing and intensity. Carbon dioxide release from underground waterways may predict tectonic activity in central Italy.
A Stanford University study suggests that beach groundwater can be a source of pollution, contaminating the surf zone during extreme tides. The researchers found high levels of bacteria and nitrates in the aquifer beneath Huntington Beach, which was closed for two months in 1999 due to high bacterial counts.
A new 'hyperactive' antifreeze protein has been identified in the blood of winter flounder, enabling them to withstand temperatures as low as -1.9 degrees Celsius. This discovery explains the previously unknown mechanism behind these fish's survival in polar oceans.
Scientists used two water dating methods, radiocarbon and helium-4, to determine the age of water in wells in Baldwin County, Alabama. The results showed that the ages ranged from 50 to 7,500 years, suggesting that saltwater intrusion could become a bigger issue in the future with global climate change.
Researchers from Rutgers University will follow the flow of a red dye on a research vessel for about five days to study the Hudson River Plume. The study aims to gain knowledge about where the plume goes and what it contains, with potential applications in predicting algae blooms and sewage disposal decisions.
A new study reveals that a slowdown in ocean circulation was directly tied to sudden and dramatic changes in climate. The research found that the Atlantic Ocean's north-south overturning circulation played a crucial role in regulating regional temperatures.
Scientists have quantified the transport of carbon from surface waters to the deep ocean in response to iron fertilization. The study found that while iron fertilization can enhance carbon flux and reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide levels, the quantities removed are no greater than natural plankton blooms, making it a limited solution.
Alpha-hexachlorocyclohexane, a banned chemical, was detected in the atmosphere of Sable Island off Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. The study reveals that the chemical traveled from China and India to the Arctic Ocean before reaching Atlantic Canada.
Scientists have discovered that early oceans were devoid of oxygen for billions of years, with a team developing a method to detect signs of ancient oxygen in rocks. The study sheds light on the history of our planet's oceans and could have significant implications for understanding evolution and the origins of life.
Researchers studying Arctic rivers and ocean find most organic carbon is relatively young, but warming may release older, stored carbon into the atmosphere. This could lead to a positive feedback loop, enhancing greenhouse effects and accelerating global warming.
Researchers use ATTA, a highly sensitive method, to measure krypton-81 in groundwater, estimating ages of 200,000 to 1,000,000 years. The study reveals ancient water transported by air masses from the Atlantic Ocean, reflecting climate conditions different from today.
Researchers analyze Martian flood channels, estimate Mercury's crust depth and simulate earthquake dynamics. New data also reveals details on sprites and interstellar hydrogen shadows.
Scientists at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute are studying the impact of carbon dioxide on the ocean, which could help predict global climate change. The research also explores the potential for iron fertilization to reduce atmospheric CO2 levels.
Scientists successfully reverse the direction of a molecular motor by rotating its lever arm, achieving a previously unknown movement. The breakthrough demonstrates the potential for protein design and engineering to create novel properties with well-defined functions.
Scientists have developed a real-time operational forecast system using satellite data, providing accurate 3D ocean conditions and helping Coast Guard rescuers determine the direction of stranded individuals. The system uses multiple satellite measurements and sensor data to generate forecasts several days ahead.
A study found that three-quarters of biological activity in oceans relies on a single nutrient-rich water circulation pattern in the Southern Hemisphere. This discovery helps settle a longstanding question about ocean fertility and raises questions about potential impact of climate change.
Researchers used a new method to determine seawater temperatures in the distant past and found that tropical oceans were 5-8 degrees higher than today. The findings concurs with climate models indicating warmer oceans due to high carbon dioxide concentrations.
A recent study reports significant changes in ocean salinity levels, with tropical waters becoming saltier and polar regions fresher. These findings suggest an intensifying global water cycle, which could disrupt ocean circulation patterns and exacerbate global warming.
A new study reports significant changes in ocean salinity levels, with tropical waters becoming saltier and polar regions fresher. These shifts suggest an acceleration of the Earth's water cycle, potentially exacerbating global warming and disrupting ocean circulation.
A recent study found no change in methylmercury levels in yellowfin tuna over a 27-year period, suggesting that high mercury levels in these fish may not be caused by pollution. The research suggests that natural sources, such as hydrothermal vents and deep ocean sediments, could be responsible for the mercury accumulation.
Researchers discovered that rapid lava eruption traps seawater, heating it to form steam bubbles trapped under glassy crusts. These findings support a subsurface biosphere and could alter lava flow dynamics.
Researchers at USGS and international universities reveal that hot vaporized seawater contributes to the formation of new oceanic crust. High-pressure images of lava cavities show molten salt and exotic minerals formed from steam bubbles, challenging previous assumptions about seawater's boiling point at great depths.