Articles tagged with Seawater
Recent climate change has led to an expansion of marine predator ranges into Arctic waters, resulting in increased species richness and altered community compositions. The study found that apex predators such as whales and sharks have migrated northwards, while mesopredators like fish and crabs showed more limited range shifts.
A novel copper-containing polymeric filter can effectively capture carbon dioxide from the air, converting it into sodium bicarbonate that can be released harmlessly into the ocean. The technology has garnered international attention and could be powered by renewable energy in the future.
A recent study reveals that uneven future warming in the Indian Ocean can cause shifts in monsoon precipitation, with potential impacts on societies and ecosystems. The research identifies key mechanisms driving these changes, including winds and ocean currents.
Researchers developed a new method to monitor methane releases in deep-sea sediments, showing that small-scale dissociation events are occurring more often than previously detected. Fossils of benthic foraminifera from the order Miliolida have been found to record these smaller-scale events.
A new study warns of a rise in potentially fatal infections caused by bacteria found along parts of the US coast, driven by global warming. The number of Vibrio vulnificus infections has increased from 10 to 80 per year over 30 years, with cases now found further north than ever before.
Researchers from China and Singapore study the radiative properties of polyamide-12, a common marine microplastic pollutant. They found that most of the incident radiation is scattered by PA12 particles, affecting ocean light transmission and marine ecology.
Researchers used a 3D radar scan to reveal that Malaspina Glacier is undercut by channels, making it more vulnerable to melting and potentially contributing significantly to global sea level rise. The glacier's bulk sits below sea level, and its coastal barrier erodes, allowing ocean water to access the glacier and accelerate its retreat.
Researchers found that a simple 19th century Secchi disk is effective in monitoring phytoplankton abundance, providing valuable long-term data on ocean changes. The tool's continued use supports scientists studying climate change, ecosystem health, and water quality.
The Nile River Delta faces significant environmental threats from heavy metal pollution and coastal erosion, impacting 60 million people in Egypt. The study highlights the need for conservation measures to slow degradation and recover the ecosystem.
A new collaborative project led by the University of Liverpool aims to investigate the Gulf Stream's role in transporting nutrients and carbon, and its effect on the ocean's carbon uptake. The four-year programme will use cutting-edge sensors and models to better understand how the Gulf Stream influences climate change.
A recent study by researchers at the University of Texas at Austin found that the ocean's ability to absorb CO2 will peak by 2100 and become less efficient after 2300 due to a surface layer of low-alkalinity water. This emergence hinders CO2 absorption, leading to faster warming.
A research team led by Britney Schmidt deployed an underwater robot, Icefin, to explore the Kamb Ice Stream in Antarctica. The robot's findings reveal unprecedented views of ice, ocean, and sea floor interactions, which can improve models of sea-level rise.
Researchers at Flinders University discovered a previously unknown whale behavior, which may have been described in ancient Norse manuscripts. The
Scientists have discovered a new type of solid crystal that forms when water and table salt combine in cold and high-pressure conditions, potentially existing on the surface of Jupiter's moons. This finding has significant implications for planetary science and the search for extraterrestrial life, as it could explain the mysterious ch...
Researchers at MIT have developed a membrane-free electrochemical process to remove carbon dioxide from seawater, potentially reversing ocean acidification. The system could be integrated with existing desalination plants or ships to help mitigate emissions.
Researchers found that the feathers of large seabirds contained nutrients from multiple ocean basins, while smaller birds had elements matching their local foraging environments. This discovery may explain the long-distance migrations of threatened species.
Researchers at RMIT University have developed a method to produce hydrogen directly from seawater, skipping the need for desalination and reducing carbon emissions. The new approach uses a special catalyst that can be manufactured cost-effectively and has promise to significantly reduce the cost of electrolysers.
Research reveals hydrothermal vents as a previously undiscovered source of dissolved black carbon in the oceans, transporting it thousands of kilometers away. This discovery sheds light on the ocean's role as a carbon sink and provides insights into the formation of recalcitrant dissolved organic carbon.
A study published in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics found that phytoplankton productivity in the Southern Ocean contributes to dense clouds that reflect sunlight. The high density of water droplets in these clouds helps regulate global temperatures and precipitation patterns.
A team of researchers has successfully produced green hydrogen from seawater without pre-treatment, achieving nearly 100% efficiency. This breakthrough uses a non-precious and cheap catalyst in a commercial electrolyser, offering a solution to directly utilize seawater for hydrogen production.
Expanding seaweed farming could reduce demand for terrestrial crops and greenhouse gas emissions by up to 2.6 billion tonnes per year. The study identified millions of available hectares of ocean suitable for farming, with the Indonesian EEZ showing great potential.
A new solar distillation device, developed by KAUST professors and researchers, can purify brine from seawater with high efficiency. The device produces double the freshwater production rate of existing technology, meeting the drinking needs of two people daily.
New research from the University of Sheffield reveals genetically modifying rice to reduce stomata can make it more salt-resistant and survive in environments with high salt levels. This adaptation could help tackle food insecurity caused by climate change.
Experiments show that UV light from the sun breaks down plastics on the ocean surface, turning them into smaller, invisible nanoplastic particles. This process could account for a substantial amount of the 'Missing Plastic Paradox', where plastic waste in the ocean is only a fraction of what has been littered.
Scientists found the Bering Land Bridge was flooded until 35,700 years ago, with its full emergence occurring shortly before human migration to the Americas. The study's findings suggest a less direct relationship between climate and global ice volume, casting doubt on some explanations for ice age cycles.
Researchers have found that a weak ocean gyre near the Thwaites Ice Shelf allows more warm water to access its base, causing it to melt. This process is driven by waters from nearby melting ice shelves and can impact the stability of adjacent ice shelves, contributing to global sea-level rise.
A new study suggests that an orbiting space probe could provide definitive answers about the presence of life on Enceladus' ocean. The team mapped out how a hypothetical mission could gather data from the moon's plumes, which are thought to contain organic molecules and methane.
New study reveals marine algae adapt to nutrient-poor ocean conditions, sustaining productivity even in depleted waters. This 'metabolic hack' could impact global ocean productivity and carbon sequestration.
Researchers used hydrophones to monitor two deep-sea hydrothermal vents, finding that they produce subtle sounds near the low end of human hearing range. Characterizing these sounds can help predict and prevent environmental impacts of deep-sea mining.
Researchers at FAU Harbor Branch Institute found that Florida pompano larvae can be grown in salinities as low as 10 parts per thousand without adverse effects. The study showed that growth, fatty acid profiles, and transcriptome responses were normal across different salinities.
New study reveals plastic additives selectively harm corals' reproductive processes, development, and settlement, affecting ecosystem balance. Researchers found alarming effects of environmental concentrations on various organisms, highlighting the urgent need for better risk assessments.
Researchers identify two southward migration events of Arctic ostracods in the Last Glacial Period, revealing the impact of East Asian winter monsoon on marine ecosystems. The study's findings help understand Asian monsoon dynamics and their effects on polar species distribution, highlighting the risk of extinction under climate change.
A new model reveals that warmer Arctic Ocean evaporation transports moisture south, leading to increased snowfall in northern Eurasia. The study sheds light on the mechanism of this phenomenon and its impact on severe weather events.
A new study published in Marine Pollution Bulletin found significantly higher levels of polyethylene, polypropylene, acrylic, and polyamide in the North Atlantic gyre compared to other offshore locations. Inshore areas exhibited a diverse range of polymers, possibly influenced by proximity to various plastic sources.
A regime shift in the Southeast Greenland marine ecosystem has led to a permanent change from an ice-infested to a more temperate system, with large numbers of fin and humpback whales migrating to the area. This tipping point may be irreversible, having cascading effects throughout the ecosystem.
A recent study from the University of Copenhagen reveals that Mars was once covered in a 300-metre-deep ocean, filled with water and icy asteroids carrying biologically important molecules. This finding suggests that conditions allowing the emergence of life were present on Mars long before Earth.
Researchers discovered trapped seawater sealed in North American rock for 390 million years, shedding light on ancient oceans' chemistry and potential for storing carbon-free fuel. The study's findings could inform geologic studies and help identify subsurface locations to safely store hydrogen.
A new study by the University of Gothenburg reveals that the salinity of surface water is crucial for sea ice formation at low temperatures. The study finds that warm water is prevented from rising to the surface due to its lower salinity, creating a 'lid' that allows cold polar temperatures to freeze continuously moving warmer water.
A new Concordia study reveals that container ship accidents are a growing concern, with significant shortcomings in maritime cargo safeguards. The researchers found that existing regulations are inadequate, and the lack of data makes it difficult to adopt new regulations.
A new study suggests that ships may be spreading a deadly coral disease across Florida and the Caribbean. Researchers found that transport through ship ballast water could contribute to disease spread.
A team of researchers led by Francesco Fedele investigated the extreme sea states and potential hazards for ship navigation in the eastern Mediterranean. They developed a novel theory of space-time wave extremes, indicating that rogue waves do not 'steal' energy from neighboring waves.
Despite declining coral, fish, seagrass, and manatees in the Florida Keys, sea urchin populations have remained relatively stable since the 1960s. These marine animals are essential for maintaining healthy environments by cleaning, ventilating, and enriching sediment.
A KAUST-led team creates selective anode catalysts for stable and efficient hydrogen evolution in seawater splitting. The nanoreactors exhibited high electrocatalytic activity and stability due to their unique structure, isolating the electrolysis from side reactions.
A Tel Aviv University study reveals that the Israeli shoreline is contaminated with more than two million tons of microplastics, with Tel Aviv and Hadera beaches being the most polluted. The researchers warn that exposure to microplastic waste is unavoidable and poses a risk to human health.
A 460km-long river under the Antarctic ice sheet affects the flow and melting of ice, potentially accelerating ice loss. The discovery reveals more active water flow than previously thought, which could make it more susceptible to changes in climate.
Researchers at Hokkaido University have discovered the importance of Frazil ice in producing dense cold water, which is a key component of global ocean circulation. This finding has significant implications for understanding the impact of global warming on this process.
New research from the University of Rochester and others finds that ocean methane hydrate reservoirs in mid-latitude regions will not be released to the atmosphere under warming conditions. This means that ancient methane is being stored safely on the seafloor, reducing concerns about climate change.
A US team, led by Louisiana State University scientist Jun-Hong Liang, is studying air-sea gas exchange in the Labrador Sea to develop accurate formulas. The research aims to improve estimations of biological production and carbon dioxide/oxygen sequestration in deep oceans.
The study found that scrubber discharge water accounts for up to 9% of certain carcinogenic and environmentally harmful substances in the Baltic Sea. This increase is partly due to a significant growth in ships equipped with scrubbers, which has tripled since the study was carried out.
Researchers found that subsurface warming in the North Atlantic precedes the release of massive icebergs from Canada and the US, leading to a reduction in surface salinity and AMOC collapse. This finding sheds light on the sequence of events responsible for the collapse of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation system.
A new study evaluated the performance of a Seabin device in Plymouth, UK, finding it captured only 0.18kg of litter over 750 hours of operation. In contrast, manual trawls collected significantly more litter with minimal harm to marine life.
Researchers at KAUST have developed ultrathin polymer-based ordered membranes that simultaneously exhibit high water flux and high salt rejection. The membranes display excellent performance in both forward and reverse osmosis configurations, surpassing those containing advanced materials like carbon nanotubes and graphene.
Researchers have discovered that small eddies, swirling at the edges of massive ocean currents, are a key source of nutrients for phytoplankton. These nutrient-rich eddies help maintain healthy populations of phytoplankton, which are essential for carbon sequestration and mitigating climate change effects.
A new study reveals a strong correlation between accelerating Arctic ice melt and ocean acidification, posing a dual threat to climate and marine life. The increased acidity levels in the western Arctic Ocean could lead to devastating consequences for plants, shellfish, coral reefs, and other organisms.
A recent study by the University of Plymouth and international partners reveals that rapid sea temperature drops of up to 10 degrees were a primary cause of a devastating coral die-off event in Costa Rica's Eastern Tropical Pacific. The research highlights the importance of considering upwellings when managing reef systems, and propose...
Researchers recreated primordial seawater containing phosphate in the lab, suggesting that seawater could be a major source of this essential element. This finding has implications for understanding the origins of life on Earth and potentially even beyond our planet.
Researchers at PNNL and UW discover a flow-based method to isolate pure magnesium salt from seawater, skipping energy-intensive purification steps. This approach could revolutionize US domestic magnesium production and enable more efficient processing of seawater.
A new field study reveals a previously unobserved fluid dynamic process that affects the ocean's deep-sea mining operations. Researchers equipped a pre-prototype collector vehicle with instruments to monitor its sediment plume disturbances, finding that the plumes remained relatively low and spread under their own weight.
The ANEMEL project aims to develop efficient electrolysers for green hydrogen production, targeting low-grade water sources. The €3 million EU funding will expedite prototype design and catalyse commercialisation of the technology.
A team of international scientists found that many densely populated coastal cities worldwide are at risk from sea level rise due to land subsidence. The study used satellite images to estimate the rate of land sinking in 48 cities, with median speeds ranging from 16.2mm/year to 43mm/year.