European colonization accelerated erosion tenfold
New research reveals that European colonization significantly increased rates of soil erosion and alluvium accumulation in North America, with impacts felt for centuries.
Sediment
Articles tagged with Sediment
How stable is the Antarctic ice sheet?
Researchers found that the ice masses of East Antarctica could be less stable than thought, and a rise in global sea level threatens coastal areas. The study's findings indicate that the formation of large glaciers in the northern hemisphere contributed to the ice sheet's stability.
CSU team lands NSF award to study streams, snowpack in Cameron Peak Fire area
A CSU team, led by Professor Stephanie Kampf, is studying the effects of the Cameron Peak Fire on waterways and snowpack in Colorado. The research aims to collect critical data on how the fire impacts snow processes, flow paths, and sediment movement.
The first detection of marine fish DNA in sediment sequences going back 300 years
This study uses sedimentary DNA to track the abundance of three major fish species over 300 years, providing a new tool for evaluating evolution and responses to climate changes. The results suggest that sedimentary DNA concentrations can reflect the abundance of aquatic species, enabling long-term monitoring efforts.
Study reconstructs ancient storms to help predict changes in tropical cyclone hotspot
Researchers reconstructed 3,000 years of storm history in the southern Marshall Islands to find that tropical cyclones were more frequent during the Little Ice Age. Climate change is expected to shift this region's cyclone formation northward, but also decrease its frequency.
Scientists have discovered an ancient lake bed deep beneath the Greenland ice
Researchers have detected a sub-glacial lake bed in northwest Greenland, containing unique fossil and chemical traces of past climates and life. The discovery may hold valuable insights into the glacial, climatological and environmental history of the region.
Denisovan DNA found in sediments of Baishiya Karst Cave on Tibetan Plateau
Researchers discovered Denisovan DNA in sediments from the Baishiya Karst Cave on the Tibetan Plateau, revealing that Denisovans occupied the region for a long time and had adapted to the high-altitude environment. The findings support the idea that Denisovans had a wide geographic distribution beyond Siberia.
TU Graz researchers discover new sediment archive for historical climate research
Researchers at TU Graz have discovered a new sediment archive on the Styrian Erzberg, providing valuable insights into recent climate development. The archive features geologically young minerals formed shortly after the last ice age, challenging current understanding of mineral formation temperatures.
Microbial diversity below seafloor is as rich as on Earth's surface
A recent study mapped microbial diversity in marine sediment, revealing a rich ecosystem with diverse microbial communities. The research found that bacterial diversity exceeds archaeal diversity and is comparable to surface biomes.
Global analysis of microbial diversity in marine sediment
Marine sediment shows similar overall diversity to topsoil and seawater, despite decreasing microbial community diversity with depth. Key factors influencing taxonomic composition include organic carbon concentrations and dissolved oxygen presence.
Recent Atlantic ocean warming unprecedented in nearly 3,000 years
Climate scientists extend Atlantic sea-surface temperature record to 2900 years, finding the past decade as the warmest interval. The study uses ancient lake sediments to reconstruct temperatures and atmospheric pressure over time.
Atlantic multidecadal sea surface temperature variability
Researchers reconstruct Atlantic Multidecadal Variability (AMV) with annual resolution using titanium levels in lake sediment cores. The record indicates the warmest interval occurred within the past decade.
Study shows how climate impacts food webs, poses socioeconomic threat in Eastern Africa
A new study reveals how climate change impacts the fishery of Lake Tanganyika, a major African fishery, and its potential effects on food security for millions of people in eastern Africa. High frequency variability in climate can lead to disruptions in the lake's food web.
210Pb dating of marine sedimentary cores
The exercise showed that participating laboratories are skilled in radiometric determinations, but struggled with dating results due to varying experience. The application of the 210Pb sediment dating method requires expert knowledge and multidisciplinary expertise.
Network reveals large variations in shaking in LA basin after Ridgecrest earthquake
The study found that long-period buildings experienced the most amplification of shaking from the Ridgecrest earthquake, with maximum amplification occurring in the western part of the L.A. basin and the south-central San Fernando Valley. This could result in high-rise buildings in those areas experiencing shaking four times larger tha...
Sediment motion on burned hillslopes
A probabilistic model reveals three distinct regimes of particle motion on burned hillslopes, driven by changes in slope, particle size and surface roughness. Burned slopes are measurably smoother than vegetated slopes, affecting steepland erosion following wildfires.
Better communication helps translate molecular tools
KAUST scientists propose a roadmap for molecular ecologists, policymakers, and stakeholders to collaborate on DNA-based approaches for marine monitoring. DNA barcoding and metabarcoding can save time and money by identifying species from small DNA fragments.
Did our early ancestors boil their food in hot springs?
Researchers at MIT and the University of Alcalá in Spain discovered evidence of hot springs near early human archaeological sites in Olduvai Gorge. The proximity of these hydrothermal features raises the possibility that early humans could have used hot springs as a cooking resource, boiling fresh kills before controlling fire.
Estimation of carbonate stratal completeness via stratigraphic forward modeling
The study investigates carbonate deposition with different depositional environments, using a three-dimensional basin-fill model and sensitivities analysis. It demonstrates that stratal completeness is controlled by sea level changes, depositional environments, carbonate growth rates, and tectonic subsidence patterns.
High-fidelity record of Earth's climate history puts current changes in context
Scientists compiled a continuous, high-fidelity record of Earth's climate history extending 66 million years into the past. The record shows that natural climate variability due to changes in Earth's orbit around the sun is relatively small compared to projected future warming.
Unraveling 66 million years of climate history from ocean sediments
An international team publishes a global reference curve in Science, reconstructing the Earth's climate since the last great extinction 66 million years ago. The study provides a detailed understanding of past climate dynamics and recurring patterns, allowing for more accurate dating and correlation of climate events.
The widespread footprint of blue jean microfibers
Researchers detect indigo denim microfibers in wastewater effluent and lakes, with levels estimated at 1 billion per day. Washing jeans less frequently could reduce pollution, but effects on aquatic life are unknown.
New device can measure toxic lead within minutes
Researchers at Rutgers University have developed a lab-on-a-chip device that can measure toxic lead in sediments and water samples within minutes. This affordable technology has the potential to enable municipalities, schools, and homeowners to quickly test their water supplies for contamination.
Urine sediment test results, diagnoses vary significantly across nephrologists
A new study reveals significant variability in urine sediment test interpretations among nephrologists, emphasizing the need for standardized education and training to improve reliability. This variation can lead to misinterpretation and potential patient harm, necessitating a more standardized approach to diagnose kidney diseases.
Bacteria can defuse dangerous chemical in Passaic River
A Rutgers study suggests that bacteria present in the Passaic River may be capable of dechlorinating 2,3,7,8-TeCDD, a toxic byproduct of combustion and chemical manufacturing. This process could potentially decrease the toxin's toxicity over time.
Contaminants from Mount Polley tailings spill continue to affect Quesnel lake
A new study finds that the Mount Polley tailings spill in 2014 is still affecting Quesnel Lake, with turbidity increasing each spring and fall due to resuspended contaminants. The phenomenon raises concerns about long-term impacts on the lake's ecology, including effects on fish populations and algal communities.
Researchers conducting survey of micropollutants
The study aims to characterize the occurrence and concentrations of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in water and sediments. The researchers seek to establish a baseline for future evaluations of wastewater treatment technology and public health.
New study reveals lower energy limit for life on Earth
A new study by Queen Mary University of London reveals that microorganisms in deep-sea sediments can survive using far less energy than previously known to support life. This finding challenges our understanding of the limits of life on Earth and has implications for searching for life elsewhere.
Cooling of Earth caused by eruptions, not meteors
A study published in Science Advances found that volcanic eruptions, rather than meteor impacts, were responsible for the rapid cooling of the Earth around 13,000 years ago. The research team analyzed sediment layers in Hall's Cave, a central Texas cave with a record extending over 20,000 years.
Texas cave sediment upends meteorite explanation for global cooling
Researchers discovered evidence of massive volcanic eruptions in Central Texas that caused global cooling 13,000 years ago. The study indicates that the Younger Dryas cooling event was not caused by an extraterrestrial impact but rather a combination of Earth-based processes.
Deep sea microbes dormant for 100 million years are hungry and ready to multiply
Scientists revive ancient deep-sea microbes from 100 million-year-old sediment, showing life can persist in nutrient-limited environments. The findings suggest that microorganisms can survive for geological time scales and even multiply under the right conditions.
Oldest South American fossil lizard discovered in Brazil
A novel species of lizard, Neokotus sanfranciscanus, has been found in the Quiricó Formation in Brazil, dating back to over 130 million years ago. The discovery reveals that squamates were distributed throughout the world earlier than previously thought and had a broader global distribution.
Model links patterns in sediment to rain, uplift and sea level change
Researchers from the University of Texas at Austin developed a computer model that connects distinct patterns in sedimentary deposits to shifts in climate and tectonic activity. The model, which uses a 3D source-to-sink approach, allows scientists to simulate the world under different tectonics and climate conditions.
Massive seagrass die-off leads to widespread erosion in a California estuary
Seagrass die-off in Morro Bay has caused extensive erosion, altering sedimentation patterns and habitat changes. Restoration efforts have shown mixed success, with some regions experiencing partial recovery.
New study provides valuable historical dataset for Yellow River water management
Researchers reconstructed natural runoff history for the middle reach of the Yellow River from 1492 to 2013 CE, finding reduced runoff and sediment load due to human activities. The study provides an important model for distinguishing anthropogenic influence from natural variability in global change studies.
Mercury remains a persistent poison in Connecticut's still river
Researchers from UConn and Wesleyan University found high levels of mercury in the Still River, exceeding EPA guidance levels for weekly consumption. The study suggests that legacy mercury pollution is persisting in the environment and impacting the food web, with bioavailable forms posing a significant health risk to humans and wildlife.
2,000 years of storms in the Caribbean
A 2,000-year sedimentary archive from the Blue Hole in Belize provides insights into climate change and its impact on storms in the Caribbean. The study shows that hurricane activity has increased over the past 1,885 years, with a significant shift in frequency and intensity starting around AD 900.
Tidal variation of total suspended solids over the Yangtze bank
Researchers used GOCI to study high-resolution spatial distribution and tidal variation of suspended sediment over the Yangtze Bank, revealing a tongue-shaped structure and importance of topography in tidal-induced mixing. The study enhances understanding of short-term changes to TSS in Yellow and East China Seas.
Geoscientists glean data suggesting global climate changes increase river erosion rates
A collaborative study of North America's Yukon River basin reveals profound increases in river erosion during abrupt global intensification of climate fluctuations about 2.6 and one million years ago.
Marine microorganisms: How to survive below the seafloor
Researchers found that certain species of foraminifera can survive and thrive in anoxic environments with high levels of toxic hydrogen sulfide. The organisms exploit soluble organic material as a source of carbon and energy, playing a crucial role in anaerobic nutrient cycles.
Yellow River runoff and human activity
Researchers reconstructed Yellow River's middle reach runoff from 1492 to 2013 CE, finding lowest natural runoff during drought 1926-1932 CE. Human activity since 1980s decreased precipitation, increased observed runoff variability.
Breakthrough in studying ancient DNA from Doggerland that separates the UK from Europe
Researchers from the University of Warwick analyze sedimentary ancient DNA from Doggerland, revealing insights into a 8150-year-old tsunami and its impact on the region. The study develops new methods for authenticating ancient DNA, including metagenomic assessment methodology.
Rising sea levels and river delta growth
A study examines how sea-level rise and subsidence affect river avulsions on deltas, finding that frequent avulsions occur when rates of these processes match sediment supply. Engineered avulsions may help mitigate climate change effects, but thresholds exist where sediment supply cannot keep up with rising sea levels.
Jumping course
Scientists have discovered three ways that deltas can respond to sea level rise, depending on the balance between sediment supply and rate of sea-level change. This understanding has significant implications for climate change and human interference, with potential impacts on river ecosystems and societal stability.
Insights into climate change during origin of dinosaurs
A recent study reveals that the Carnian Pluvial Episode, a period of intense warming and humidity, occurred globally, particularly in South America. The research suggests that this global climate event may have spurred the emergence of early dinosaurs.
A new look at deep-sea microbes
Researchers found that microbes inside hydrocarbon seeps have less efficient, fast-growing lifestyles while those outside have slower but more efficient lives. This difference in lifestyle could mirror how microbes behave higher in the water column.
The latest findings on the MOSAiC floe
A recent scientific study describes the nursery of sea ice that formed off the New Siberian Islands in December 2018, which is now drifting through the Arctic. The research vessel Polarstern has been analyzing data from this unique floe, providing valuable insights into the interactions between ocean, ice, and atmosphere.
Microplastic pollution accumulates heavily in coastal areas such as fjords and estuaries
A new review of 80 research papers reveals that microplastic pollution is concentrated in coastal habitats such as fjords and estuaries. The study found high concentrations of microplastics, up to 200,000 particles per kilogram, in these areas.
The geological record of mud deposits
Researchers analyzed cores from the Basque Mud Patch to determine sedimentation rates and detect environmental contamination. The study found that metals and contaminants accumulate at an approximate rate of one millimeter per year, highlighting human activity's impact on the coastal area.
Ancient Maya reservoirs contained toxic pollution
Researchers found toxic levels of mercury and blue-green algae in ancient Maya reservoirs, suggesting droughts may have contributed to the city's abandonment. The pollutants made the water toxic to drink, even if boiled, highlighting the importance of understanding environmental factors in ancient civilizations.
How canyons evolve
A study developed a morphodynamic model to understand canyon formation, considering factors like abrasion and sediment contribution. The model predicts that canyons form with shallow slopes above the headwall, which migrates upstream over time.
Analysing the effects two decades after a mining spill
A study by University of Seville experts found an important decrease in total metal concentrations and a shift towards less toxic forms in the River Guadiamar sediment. The research suggests that measures taken after the disaster have improved water quality, but ongoing monitoring is necessary to maintain this progress.
Coal-tar-sealant major source of PAH contamination in Great Lakes tributaries
A study published in Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry has identified coal-tar-sealant as the primary source of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Great Lakes tributaries. The research highlights the need for further analysis to determine the potential effects of PAHs on aquatic life in these areas.
Island 'drowning' is not inevitable as sea levels rise
New research suggests coral reef islands can respond to sea level rise by evolving through natural processes, potentially supporting near-term habitability. Islands composed of gravel material can raise their crest as sea level rises, with additional management challenges involved.
Study: Ancient ocean oxygen levels associated with changing atmospheric carbon dioxide
A Texas A&M-led study analyzed ocean floor sediment cores to reveal the relationship between deep ocean oxygenation and atmospheric carbon dioxide levels over the past 50,000 years. The research found that enhanced storage of respired carbon in the deep ocean occurred during periods of low atmospheric CO2 concentrations.
Mars: Where mud flows like lava
A team of researchers recreated Martian conditions in a low-pressure chamber, observing the flow of mud that behaves similarly to pahoehoe lava flows on Earth. The study confirms sedimentary volcanism is possible on Mars, prompting a reevaluation of geological structures previously attributed to lava flows.
Why the 'uplift of the Tibetan plateau' is a myth
The 'uplift of the Tibetan Plateau' concept is debunked due to contradictory paleoaltimetric estimates, isotopic bias, and re-dating of key sites. The region's complex topography was formed before the India-Eurasia collision, with uplift beginning in the Eocene.
Asgard archaea including the novel phylum Gerdarchaeota participate in organic matter degradation
The study reveals that Asgard archaea, particularly the newly identified phylum Gerdarchaeota, are involved in degrading various substrates such as amino acids and ethanol. They also participate in aerobic respiration, converting substrates into acetyl-CoA.
A tale of two kinds of volcanoes
Researchers analyzed volcanic samples from Santorini and Aegina to understand why they have different eruption styles. The study found that the islands' locations on the Aegean microplate led to varying lava mix recipes, resulting in calderas versus lava domes.
FSU researchers study Gulf of Mexico in international collaboration
Researchers from FSU and partner universities mapped carbon, nitrogen, and carbon-14 distribution in the southern Gulf to create a baseline for future studies. They found no signs of remaining oil disturbance in sediment, highlighting the importance of understanding pre-existing conditions for assessing ecosystem changes.