Research on the ocean's chemistry and ice. Covers ocean carbon capture, forever chemicals in sea spray, Antarctic change, and sea-ice clouds.
Researchers reveal that underground water played a crucial role in cooling the planet, with strontium levels 10 times higher than river waters. The study changes perception on ocean chemistry, highlighting the importance of groundwater in global climate models.
Walter Munk, a leading figure in physical oceanography, is being honored with the inaugural Prince Albert I Medal for his decades-long research on ocean currents, tides, and climate change. His work has significantly improved our understanding of the oceans and their impact on global warming.
A new sea current has been discovered off the African coast, with high speeds of up to a metre per second. The current is driven by the mixture of cold polar water and extremely saline water from the Red Sea and Persian Gulf.
Researchers find unique vent systems on seafloor mountain Atlantis Massif, formed by heat generated when seawater reacts with mantle rocks. The Lost City Field may be common, potentially upending previous estimates of hydrothermal venting and life on the seafloor.
Antarctica's Weddell Polynya forms due to a horizontal cyclonic eddy spinning off Maud Rise, affecting global ocean circulation and carbon cycle. The study aims to improve understanding of natural mechanisms driving polar ice cap changes.
Researchers at North Carolina State University are studying the life cycle and migration patterns of female blue crabs to ensure long-term sustainability. They aim to discover environmental cues that initiate their journey to spawning grounds, which is crucial for understanding the species' ecology and conservation.
A team of scientists analyzed sediment core samples from Lake Titicaca in Bolivia and Peru, revealing a 25,000-year precipitation record that suggests tropical South America was wet during the last Ice Age. The findings challenge traditional views that the region was dry during this time period.
Structural engineers at UCSD are researching ways to stabilize fragile cliffs along the US coastline, particularly in San Diego County. Their comprehensive guidebook aims to provide proactive solutions to prevent erosion and destruction, while maintaining environmental integrity.
A new study reveals that warmer surface temperatures during summers can cause ice shelves to collapse, leading to increased ice flow and sea-level rise. The research found that added pressure from meltwater can crack ice shelves, causing portions to float away and eventually melt.
Researchers found evidence of liquid water on Earth 4.4 billion years ago, contradicting previous views on the planet's formation. The discovery suggests an early Earth with conditions that could support life, raising questions about the moon's formation and potential for life.
Researchers at Ohio State University have created a new way to map ocean currents using a single video camera with special software, comparing favorably to expensive electronic sensors. This method could help scientists better understand erosion and develop effective management strategies.
Researchers investigate the link between ocean changes and hydrate stability using sediment cores and chemical markers. They aim to identify past environments with gas hydrates and explore how they affected the atmosphere in the past.
Joseph L. Reid, a renowned physical oceanographer, is being honored with the Maurice Ewing Medal for his significant contributions to understanding ocean circulation and currents in the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian oceans. His work has also focused on current exchanges between major oceans.
Geologists propose that high-pressure ice could accumulate in planetary interiors during subduction, potentially influencing tectonic activity and volcanic eruptions on Earth and Mars. This process may also impact the planet's thermal balance, with changes in water state affecting dynamics and evolution.
Researchers found high concentrations of discharged microbes in ballast water from ships arriving at Chesapeake Bay ports. The study highlights the need for greater concern about biological invasions and emergent diseases, as non-indigenous microorganisms can cause significant ecological and disease processes.
Researchers are surveying and identifying underwater wreckage off Utah and Omaha beaches in search of missing WWII soldiers. They've already found six to eight Sherman tanks and over two dozen wrecks.
A new study revealed that seasonal temperature changes, specifically colder winters, contributed to the Eocene/Oligocene mass extinction. Researchers analyzed otoliths from fish that survived the event, discovering a 4-degree Celsius drop in winter temperatures.
A UMass-led international research group has successfully sequenced the genome of Halobacterium species NRC-1, a salt-loving microorganism. The achievement promises to reveal insights into cell regulation, gene expression, and potential biomedical applications, including vaccine development and antibiotic design.
Researchers found that injured ruffe emit a potent, repugnant odor when in contact with other ruffe, which significantly suppresses their swimming and feeding activities. This cue has potential for managing the invasive species, but its effectiveness remains to be determined.
A study published in PNAS reveals that lead contamination in San Francisco Bay will continue to affect the environment for decades due to the persistence of contaminated soils and sediments. Researchers found that lead from past gasoline emissions still accounts for most of the lead in water samples, with limited mobility out of the bay.
Physicists have calculated a property known as Cooper instability that produces superconductivity in electrons, suggesting composite fermions can achieve quantum superconductivity. The research, published in Nature, provides convincing evidence for the formation of magically mobile Cooper pairs.
Virginia Tech Professor James Wightman to tell the story of Benjamin Franklin and Agnes Pockels' groundbreaking work in surface chemistry. Pockels, a German hausfrau, was the first to determine cause and measure monolayer effects, paving the way for Langmuir-Blodgett films.
The Spotted Jellyfish, native to Australian coastal waters, have invaded the northern Gulf of Mexico causing concern over their potential threat to the region's ecosystems and commercial fisheries. The jellies' feeding habits and survival capabilities in the Gulf waters are being investigated by researchers.
A new method developed by UF engineer Michel Ochi accurately estimates the severity of waves near shore during hurricanes, helping engineers design more hurricane-ready buildings. The study also highlights the importance of tide levels at hurricane landing, making generalizations problematic.
The wetland's condition has deteriorated due to mass tourism, with garbage and solid waste contaminating the site. Researchers propose taking immediate action to save it and recommend its inclusion in a Heritage Corridor to protect natural spaces.
Researchers at CU-Boulder have discovered a second underwater church in the ancient port city of Aperlae, suggesting it was a magnet for pilgrims traveling to and from the Holy Land. The settlement, which likely supported around 1,000 people, featured multiple churches, public baths, and self-sustaining agriculture.
Researchers found a potential for water trapped in sediments to surge out and cause undersea landslides that can produce tidal waves. The study suggests a new explanation for expulsive events in the continental slope along the East Coast, potentially triggering landslides without warning.
The Harvard Ocean Prediction System (HOPS) is a modular system that provides forecasts of ocean weather and information about ocean life. HOPS has been used to predict the location of crash debris from EgyptAir Flight 990 and identify promising waters for commercial fishing.
Scientists at the University of Manchester and the Natural History Museum in London found water-bearing salt crystals within the Zag meteorite that may have formed just two million years after the solar system's birth. This discovery could indicate that hospitable conditions for life might have arisen earlier than previously thought.
Hot tubs can cause lung disease by dispersing bacteria through aerosolization, leading to symptoms like fever and weight loss. Removing the hot tub from the home is often the primary treatment for mild cases, while more severe cases require corticosteroids and antibiotics.
Researchers present findings on the geological evolution of the North American Cordillera, including the Cascadia subduction zone's impact on earthquake hazards. They also explore tectonic movement and its implications for densely populated areas in the Pacific Northwest.
Researchers found that airborne sea salt particles undergo a chemical reaction in daylight to release chlorine molecules, which can influence ozone levels. This discovery suggests that sea salt particles may play a significant role in determining the levels of certain greenhouse gases and air pollutants in coastal urban areas.
Water vapor and clouds cause difficulties in atmospheric models due to their lumpy nature and turbulent motion, making it a 'messy problem' for modeling. Researchers aim to develop new approaches to represent these phenomena in numerical form.
The Northeastern Section of the Geological Society of America will address regional geoscience news on climate change, coastal hazards, and extinction events. Papers will explore links between climate change and ocean-atmosphere forcing, as well as the impact of sea-level changes on coastal communities.
A USGS study shows that larger streams and rivers in the Midwest and Ohio Valley states deliver more nitrogen to the Gulf of Mexico than smaller streams, contradicting previous assumptions. Nitrogen pollution is naturally removed from water in small streams through denitrification, a process that significantly affects its delivery to t...
University of Delaware scientists, including Craig Cary, embark on the first deep-sea dive of the new century to explore extreme organisms and understand life's origins. They will collect samples of toxic chemicals, organisms, rocks, and minerals using special instruments like deep-sea sensors.
A multi-pronged analysis reveals that the supply of clean freshwater is dwindling due to growing demands for irrigation, industry, and natural ecosystem needs. Associate Professor Kenneth Strzepek identifies global river basins under strain, including China's Yellow River basin and Africa's Zambeze River basin.
Researchers have found evidence of bacterial life in the Antarctic ice core, suggesting that microbes can thrive in extreme environments. The discovery provides insight into potential extraterrestrial habitats and could aid in designing samplers for future missions to Europa.
Researchers discovered strong evidence of a 55.5 million-year-old global warming event linked to a massive methane release. The 'latest Paleocene thermal maximum' led to the extinction or disappearance of deep-sea species and changed ecosystems. Further research is needed to understand this phenomenon.
The Climate Impacts Group at the University of Washington predicts significant climate changes in the NW region by 2050, including warmer temperatures, wetter winters, and shrinking snowpack. The report highlights the need for regional water management and planning to mitigate these impacts.
Researchers confirm hazard posed by intraslab earthquakes in Pacific Northwest, which can cause significant damage and loss of life. A magnitude 7-7.5 intraslab earthquake could strike the region, posing a greater risk than larger offshore earthquakes.
A University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill marine scientist has warned of potentially devastating effects of Hurricane Floyd on the nation's largest lagoonal estuary, Pamlico Sound. The storm could lead to catastrophic flooding, runoff, and low oxygen conditions, harming commercial and recreational fisheries.
The SHOWEX experiment aims to better predict wave formation and severity, improving navigation safety at sea and weather forecasting. Researchers will use a range of instruments, including aircraft, craft, buoys, and subsurface sensors, to study wave components and their interactions.
Outbreaks of toxic Pfiesteria microorganisms in recreational waterways can have significant impacts on summer tourism and seafood sales. According to a survey of 3,500 coastal residents, a Pfiesteria outbreak could reduce tourism by at least 40% and lead to nearly two-thirds of respondents eating less locally harvested seafood. Consume...
Research indicates the Indian Ocean has its own El Niño-like phenomenon characterized by an east-to-west oscillation of warm waters affecting other parts of the world. The study found significant warming of the western portion of the Indian Ocean in 16 out of 48 years between 1950 and 1998, but only three were active El Niño years.
Research reveals highest species diversity of planktonic foraminifera in middle latitudes, contrary to traditional model. Sea-surface temperature can accurately estimate zooplankton diversity.
The catastrophic draining of two gigantic glacial lakes in Canada's Hudson Bay region led to the most abrupt, widespread cold spell on Earth during the last 10,000 years. Temperatures dropped by as much as 15 degrees Fahrenheit in central Greenland and by nearly 6 degrees F in Western Europe.
Jim Estes, a marine biologist with the USGS Western Ecological Research Center, will pursue research on restoring the Bering Sea and North Pacific ecosystem. He aims to provide information on how human effects manifest in the oceans, leading to drastic ecosystem changes.
A global system involving human-machine integration will evolve, leveraging ceramic materials and nanotechnology to provide food and clean water. The future may hold composite life forms with organic and inorganic elements.
The California sea otter population has declined by 1.14% since the 1998 spring survey, with a disconcerting decline in independent adults, indicating a need for further investigation into the cause of this trend. The USGS is working to gather more information on disease, contaminants, starvation, and entanglement as contributing factors.
The Columbia Glacier in Alaska has increased its speed to 35 meters per day, raising concerns among scientists about a rapid decline. The glacier, already the fastest moving glacier in the world, is now expected to retreat at an alarming rate, potentially posing risks to shipping lanes and marine ecosystems.
A team of geologists and aid workers warn that the Sarez Lake in Tajikistan is a ticking time bomb, with a natural dam on the verge of breaching. If the dam fails, it could unleash a wall of water devastating hundreds of mountain villages and killing hundreds of thousands of people.
Researchers have uncovered clues to the cause, timing and evolution of the massive East Asian summer monsoon. The study found a connection between the disastrous 1998 Yangtze River flood and the timing and strength of the summer monsoon.
Climate models project a 23-30% decline in mountain snowpack by 2025, and up to 61% by 2095. This could drastically alter hydrology and water resource management in the region.
The American Geophysical Union Spring Meeting 1999 featured various scientific sessions and press conferences, including briefings on Mars Global Surveyor results, Yucca Mountain nuclear waste storage, and the South China Sea Monsoon Experiment. The event took place from June 1-4 at Boston's Hynes Convention Center.
Biologists found Thiomargarita namibiensis in sediments off Namibian coast, living up to 3/4 mm wide and storing nitrate in an 'anaerobic lung'. The bacteria can survive for three months without external supply of nutrients, playing a crucial role in oxidizing toxic sulfide.
A University of Florida researcher has found genetic differences in sea oats on the Gulf Coast, which could lead to the development of a "super" sea oat that can stabilize dunes during storms. The goal is to select and propagate sea oats with desirable traits such as quick root growth and extensive rhizome systems.
Researchers are searching for evidence that can support or refute the hypothesis that Uintacrinus could have floated, a staggering feat considering its size. Geologists Meyer and Milsom have found new fossil material in Kansas and Colorado, which will help them understand how crinoids were preserved and potentially answer this question.
Geologist Attila Kilinc proposes a new model to explain the forces behind explosive eruptions on Montserrat, citing the oxidation state of magma. The model suggests that mixing hotter and cooler magma leads to water formation, triggering an eruption. Further development of a detection system is needed to accurately predict eruptions.
Researchers attribute sharp declines in sea otter numbers to killer whale predation, linked to changes in oceanic and nearshore ecosystems. The study highlights the impact of ecological chain reactions on coastal food webs and species populations.