Articles tagged with Ocean Warming
The Mediterranean Sea is warming and becoming saltier at an accelerated pace, even at great depths, with the Adriatic region showing the strongest changes. This acceleration is driven by warming and added salt, which is affecting the sea's deep circulation and marine life.
A new study reveals that the loss of kelp forests has a significant impact on microbial levels, leading to changes in ecosystem functioning and potentially affecting human services such as nutrient retention and carbon storage. The research highlights the importance of considering the microbial component in understanding ecosystem change.
Researchers combined narwhal measurements with historical oceanographic data to build a robust model showing how temperature, salinity, and depth are related. The study found that warm Atlantic Intermediate Water has become thicker, accelerating glacier melting and influencing ocean circulation and climate patterns.
A study published in Advances in Atmospheric Sciences reveals that persistent ocean warming in the South Pacific during 2023-2024 was driven by two consecutive anomalous anticyclones over the region. The warming signal extended to depths of about 1000 m, leading to record-high sea surface temperatures and upper-2000-m ocean heat content.
A new study by Duke University researchers found that atmospheric rivers contribute to marine heatwaves, with a strong association in winter months. The team's analysis of satellite data revealed that active atmospheric rivers often precede peak marine heatwave temperatures, suggesting a causal link.
A recent study using high-resolution modeling suggests that Hawaiian corals may be able to adapt to increasing temperatures, even under a high emissions scenario. However, the rate of adaptation varies across different coastal locations, with those around Hawaiʻi Island projected to experience higher heat stress.
Researchers found that long-term temperature changes in the Atlantic Ocean are primarily driven by human emissions, while those in the Pacific are largely due to natural internal ocean variability. This discovery could help inform infrastructure planning and reduce risks to coastal communities.
The ocean warming is causing a rapid shift from kelp forests to turf algae along the Maine coast, with increases in turf algae coverage up to 40% per year. The study reveals that these turf carpets are composed of diverse species, including invasive ones, and have distinct physiological characteristics.
Researchers analyzed 20 years of fishery survey data to understand how environmental change affects marine ecosystems. The study found a decline in biodiversity, with biomass concentrated in fewer species, mirroring Maine's coastal economy.
The BBVA Foundation awards Carl Wunsch for his groundbreaking work revealing the ocean's central role in regulating Earth's climate. His innovative methods allow scientists to quantify ocean state under a changing climate, highlighting the need for a global ocean observing system.
Researchers tracked movement, acceleration, depth, and water temperature for nine hammerheads in Florida and the Bahamas waters. They found great hammerheads can effectively hunt fast-moving prey like blacktip sharks in winter and tarpon in summer, suggesting they may tolerate changing climates better than other species.
A study of viral abundance in the Sargasso Sea reveals that viruses with cyclical changes in abundance are most active at night, infecting heterotrophic host microbes. This finding opens new questions about the ecological services provided by oceans and highlights the importance of including viruses in ocean models.
The study found that the 2023-2024 El Niño event triggered record-breaking sea level surges in Africa, with acceleration outpacing the global average. This unprecedented crisis threatens over 15 million coastal residents with flooding, land subsidence, and extreme weather.
Researchers investigated the Mississippi River's hydrological trends, ocean carbon storage, and gender dynamics in flood mortality. A study found that precipitation increases, but soil moisture decreases, while high-resolution models reveal stronger Southern Ocean carbon absorption. Additionally, data showed men are overrepresented in ...
A field-deployable CRISPR-based biosensing platform has been developed for rapid, on-site monitoring of marine species and ecosystems, offering a sustainable solution for tracking ocean health. The technology has the potential to detect critical species, predict outbreaks, and support early warning systems for ecosystem disruptions.
Researchers found a surprising correlation between West Antarctic Ice Sheet retreat and marine algae growth over the past 500,000 years. The study suggests that global warming may lead to reduced CO2 uptake if the ice sheet continues to shrink.
The Earth's ocean stored more heat in 2025 than in any year since modern measurements began, with a record-high increase of 23 Zetta Joules. The findings indicate stronger ocean warming trends since the 1990s and highlight the importance of reducing emissions to mitigate climate change.
A modelling study suggests that heat stored in the Southern Ocean could be released, causing a rapid warming of the atmosphere. The ocean acts as a large heat reservoir, mitigating atmospheric warming since the Industrial Revolution.
New research suggests that ocean turbulence and horizontal stirring will dramatically increase in the Arctic and Southern Oceans due to human-induced Global Warming. The study uses ultra-high-resolution simulations to investigate how mesoscale horizontal stirring (MHS) responds to warming, revealing a pronounced future intensification ...
A new study shows that reducing air pollution has decreased the brightness of marine clouds, leading to accelerated warming. Scientists attribute 70% of this change to aerosols, and researchers are exploring ways to make clouds shinier without polluting the air.
A new study models the impact of climate change on the GBR, forecasting a rapid coral decline before the middle of this century. However, curbing emissions and strategic management can help improve coral resilience, especially in well-mixed waters with good larval replenishment.
Scientists at UC Riverside are using advanced technology to understand how corals regain life-giving algae after suffering from heat stress. By studying the cellular and genetic mechanisms of algae reestablishment, researchers aim to develop practical tools to help reefs survive ocean warming.
A new study found that marine heatwaves impact the base of ocean food webs, changing carbon cycling in the process. However, the effects of the two heatwaves were not consistent, with one causing a 'conveyor belt' to jam and increasing the risk of carbon returning to the atmosphere.
A new study reveals that Antarctic sea ice plays a critical role in predicting global warming, with a greater extent of sea ice leading to more significant warming. The research found that ocean heat uptake and thermal sea level rise will be higher than previously estimated by 2100, with implications for policy and science.
Researchers at the University of Tsukuba found that 2023 marine heatwaves significantly exacerbated the record-breaking East Asian summer heatwave. The study revealed that changes in cloud cover and water vapor enhanced solar radiation reaching the ground, amplifying surface temperatures.
The Madden-Julian Oscillation's speed and intensity are influenced by atmospheric stability, which affects regional convection and tropical cyclones. Uneven ocean warming changes MJO behavior, impacting rainfall patterns and climate forecasts.
A 30-year study reveals East Antarctica's interior is warming at a rate of 0.45-0.72°C per decade, faster than global average, driven by changes in the Southern Indian Ocean. This warming process may underestimate future Antarctic ice loss predictions.
Researchers at OIST identified biological processes that support young clownfish adaptation to climate change and warming seas. Exposing juvenile fish to raised water temperatures showed significant changes in liver and pancreas, reducing insulin secretion and increasing oxidative phosphorylation.
A study by University of California, Riverside researchers finds that the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation's slowdown is responsible for the persistent cold water anomaly south of Greenland. This weakening circulation leads to cooler surface waters and fresher salinity, impacting weather patterns across Europe.
Researchers found that dominant predatory fish species acquired most of their energy from kelp, but on turf-dominated reefs, they turned to phytoplankton for energy. Kelp forest collapse removed a key source and pathway for energy flow in the food web.
A recent study using SWOT satellite data has revealed the existence of powerful submesoscale eddies in the ocean, which play a significant role in shaping the climate system. These smaller currents carry surprisingly large amounts of energy and influence marine food webs, weather patterns, and events like El Niño and La Niña.
A new study has shown that turf algae release chemicals that can kill young kelp, creating a feedback loop that reinforces kelp forest collapse. The research reveals an indirect way climate change is reshaping ocean ecosystems, complicating kelp forest recovery along Maine's rapidly warming coast.
The University of Maryland-led study found that the bay experiences 25 days of heat waves annually, with a 10% uptick in recent years. Satellite data shows varying duration and frequency of heat waves across different regions of the bay, highlighting the need for a marine heat wave warning system.
Researchers warn that artificial oxygen input cannot replace comprehensive water protection strategies. Technical approaches have shown promise, but risks include intensifying greenhouse gases and disrupting marine habitats. Climate protection and reducing nutrient inputs remain crucial for mitigating ocean oxygen loss.
A new study reveals that winter sea surface temperatures in the Tasman Sea play a key role in influencing Antarctic Peninsula temperatures. Higher-resolution climate models better simulate atmospheric wave trains triggered by Tasman Sea SST changes.
The deep sea accounts for 90% of ocean volume and hosts diverse ecosystems. However, human activities like mining and climate change threaten these areas. Scientists emphasize the need for major investment in deep-sea research to address knowledge gaps and inform sustainable management strategies.
A Cornell University-led study predicts long-term increases in precipitation over East Asia and the Western U.S. as the Southern Ocean warms, regardless of climate mitigation efforts. The research suggests that accounting for cloud feedbacks in climate models can help explain uncertainties and improve predictions.
Research finds that strengthened westerly winds enhance clockwise oceanic circulations, transporting warm seawater and causing accelerated ice sheet melting in East Antarctica. This study's findings improve future sea level rise projections.
A 30-meter sediment core from the Great Blue Hole in Belize provides the longest recorded storm frequency data for the Atlantic, with 574 storm events over 5,700 years. The research reveals a steady increase in tropical storms and hurricanes in the southwestern Caribbean due to climate change.
Researchers found that some coral reef fish exhibit higher thermal tolerance in the Arabian Gulf's variable thermal environment, but overall biodiversity is lower. This suggests that only certain species can adapt to environmental changes, and highlights the need for further investigation into climate change impacts.
Researchers find that melting Antarctic ice sheets are slowing the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC), the world's strongest ocean current, by around 20% by 2050. This change in ocean properties and circulation patterns has implications for global climate indicators, including sea level rise and marine ecosystems.
Researchers from Utrecht University studied icebergs' routes during rapid ice cap deterioration and found evidence of ancient material from Antarctica near South Orkney Island. The study suggests that Antarctica had an ice cap in the late Eocene, and large icebergs could survive in warm ocean conditions.
New study highlights significant gaps in understanding how sunscreens affect marine ecosystems, with chemicals entering the environment through various pathways. Researchers emphasize the need for comprehensive studies to understand the effects of UV filters on marine life and potential risks to human health.
Researchers found significant increases in crevasses at fast-flowing glaciers, with some sectors experiencing a 25% increase. This accelerated crevassing could further speed up the mechanisms behind the loss of ice from Greenland.
A new study found that ocean temperatures have more than quadrupled since the late 1980s, rising from 0.06°C/decade to 0.27°C/decade. This accelerating warming is driven by the Earth's growing energy imbalance and is expected to lead to even more rapid temperature increases in the future.
A new study finds that ocean warming in 2024 has led to record-breaking temperatures across the globe, including a 16 zettajoule increase in upper 2000m ocean heat content. This rise in temperature affects weather patterns and marine life, with significant implications for climate change.
Research shows that juvenile sablefish are increasingly competing with young salmon for food in coastal waters off the Northwest, potentially putting salmon at a disadvantage. This overlap could be exacerbated by ocean warming and climate change, which already threaten salmon survival.
A new study estimates that 4 million Alaska common murres died following the 'warm blob', a marine heat wave that impacted ocean productivity and food supply. The die-off had devastating effects on seabird populations, with colony sizes dropping by half in some areas.
When two tropical cyclones collide in the Indian Ocean, they can intensify considerably, leading to extreme interactions between the ocean and atmosphere. The study found that effects occurred that have only been observed with much stronger cyclones, including a cooling effect of three degrees Celsius and upwelling of deep water masses.
A new study suggests that coral heat tolerance adaptation via natural selection may be insufficient to overcome the impacts of ocean warming, unless Paris Agreement commitments are realized.
Under-ice species in the Arctic are facing significant threats as sea ice melts at a faster rate than anywhere else on Earth. Researchers studying microbial organisms in four environments found that the under-ice mix of species was the least diverse, composed mainly of specialist plankton and microbes adapted to harsh conditions.
A new study finds that reversing climate change effects quickly climbs nearly fourfold soon after a tipping point is crossed. The cost of intervention also increases steeply if waiting occurs, with the degree of needed action rising over time. Researchers have quantified these costs for the first time.
Scientists from the University of East Anglia have discovered a 50-metre-thick 'intrusion' of warm water under the Ross Ice Shelf, which has increased heat transport into the cavity by 45% over the last four decades. This finding suggests that climate change will likely lead to further melting and ice loss.
A recent study suggests that enhanced Arctic sea-ice melting during the Last Interglacial period led to significant cooling in northern Europe. The researchers used sediment cores and geochemical tracers to reconstruct past ocean conditions, highlighting the importance of feedback mechanisms in the climate system.
Research from multiple ice cores in Greenland provides new understanding of Dansgaard-Oeschger events, which represent 'tipping points' in Earth's climate. The findings suggest interactions between the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation and wintertime sea ice play a key role in these events.
Climate change is releasing more contaminants into the ocean, affecting marine ecosystems. Human activities and natural sources are mobilizing and increasing contaminant flows due to rising sea levels and melting glaciers.
Marine heatwaves in UK waters have been characterized for the first time, revealing regional variability and seasonal differences. The southern North Sea and English Channel tend to experience longer and moderately intense heatwaves, while the eastern North Sea has shorter but more intense heatwaves.
A University of Barcelona study shows that marine heatwaves decrease the ability of red gorgonians to resist and recover from other disturbances, increasing their risk of extinction. This impact on marine ecosystems could have serious consequences.
Phytoplankton biomass has increased in subsurface waters due to ocean warming, while surface phytoplankton's total biomass remains stable despite reduced chlorophyll levels. The findings highlight the limitations of satellite observations and underscore the urgent need for improved global monitoring of deep-living phytoplankton.
The study found a recent reversal of fortunes in the Adriatic Sea, with populations of marine predators and their prey plummeting and being replaced by a single species. The researchers used seafloor environments to determine interactions between species, showing a decline in biodiversity and excess nutrients.