A recent study published in Science Advances found that the ocean's heat storage efficiency during the last deglaciation was substantially enhanced to ≥1 by strong warming in intermediate-depth waters. This significant increase resolves a long-standing paradox in the conventional view of climate system dynamics.
European atmospheric blocking has slowed glacial melt at Greenland's Nioghalvfjerdsfjorden Glacier by cooling subsurface waters from 2018 to 2021. The findings highlight the importance of regional atmospheric dynamics in glacier stability, which is crucial for predicting future glacier behavior.
A coral colony from Fiji has provided a new record of sea surface temperatures in the southwestern Pacific, revealing that 2022 was the warmest year in over 600 years. The reconstruction uses data from the giant coral Diploastrea heliopora, which records long-term climatic and environmental changes.
A study by Florida Atlantic University and the University of Tübingen found that rainfall cools beach surfaces and enhances moisture for egg development, making it a crucial factor in determining hatchling body size. The research suggests that global warming may shorten incubation periods and disrupt growth, affecting sea turtle survival.
A recent study from the University of Delaware has analyzed a high-quality carbonate dataset to investigate anthropogenic carbon dioxide in coastal waters. The researchers found that surface water shows high levels of anthropogenic carbon dioxide, while middle and deep layers have lower concentrations.
A new study led by Dartmouth researchers questions the rapid polar ice collapse model used in the IPCC's sixth assessment report. The team found that the expected rate of retreat is significantly lower than predicted, making the worst-case scenario less likely, but still dire due to ongoing ice loss from Greenland and Antarctica.
A new 400-year temperature record reveals extreme recent ocean heat that has led to mass coral bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef. The research highlights the devastating impact of human-caused climate change on the reef's unparalleled ecology and biodiversity.
Climate change is expected to shift the distribution of eight commercially important marine fish and invertebrate species northwards due to warmer water temperatures and loss of sea ice habitat. This could lead to changes in the abundance and economic viability of fisheries, with some species potentially benefiting while others decline.
Research shows that ocean warming and acidification could lead to catastrophic shark embryo survival decline by 2100. Monthly temperature variation plays a significant role in mortality rates.
Researchers discovered adaptations in metabolism and swimming abilities that enable fish to survive extreme temperatures in the Arabian Gulf. The study challenges prevailing views on the 'shrinking of fishes phenomenon' and proposes a new theory on energy balance and survival.
Researchers at University of Cambridge discovered that underwater turbulence around seamounts significantly influences ocean mixing, contributing to a third of global ocean mixing. This finding has implications for climate models used in policymaking, potentially improving forecasts of the ocean's response to global warming.
Scientists at British Antarctic Survey have identified a new tipping point in Antarctic ice sheet melting due to ocean water intrusion. This process, currently not included in models, could lead to significant underestimates of sea level rise and accelerated ice sheet melting.
Kelp forests in southern Maine have collapsed due to warming, while northern regions continue to provide key ecosystem services. The study highlights regional differences in forest health and the importance of targeted management to preserve these ecosystems.
A new study found giant Atlantic bluefin tuna are spending more time in higher latitudes as the region experiences ocean warming events. The fish are normally seasonal visitors to Ireland, but climate change may alter their migration routes.
Research reveals a correlation between warm ocean conditions and salmon movement into the Arctic. The study found that when both gates of ice-free water are open, salmon can expand their range in Canadian waters.
Researchers found that sessile invertebrates like mussels and barnacles became more abundant during the study period, while seaweed species like kelps declined. The rocky shore communities did not return to their baseline conditions after the epidemic ended, suggesting low resilience to changes in temperature and predator numbers.
Researchers found that anglerfish's unique sexual parasitism helped them adapt to the deep sea during a time of global warming. This trait allowed for successful reproduction and diversification in the 'midnight' zone.
A recent study by Oregon State University reveals that a surge in purple sea urchins is devastating kelp forests, reducing zooplankton populations and impacting the primary prey of gray whales. This cascading effect affects the top predator, causing them to spend less time foraging in the affected area.
The study reveals that coral reefs are suffering from widespread bleaching and deaths, with the highest temperatures recorded in 175 countries. The researchers found that heat transport from the tropics to the polar regions has accelerated, causing sea surface temperature increases and exacerbating global warming feedbacks.
A new study reveals that meandering ocean currents and the ocean floor induce upwelling velocity, transporting warm water to shallower depths, contributing to rapid melting of Antarctic ice shelves. This process poses a significant threat to coastal communities worldwide due to rising global sea levels.
Octopuses' vision is impaired under projected ocean warming conditions, affecting their survival in the wild. The study found significant reductions in key proteins essential for vision, leading to increased predator risk and lower foraging success.
A study by researchers from the University of Gothenburg found that shy sea anemones can outlast bold ones during extreme heatwaves due to their slower metabolism. This survival strategy may be beneficial for other cold-blooded marine species exposed to rapid temperature changes.
A new study finds that extreme tropical cyclone rainfall is increasing across the continental US, while climate warming restricts 'outdoor days' for people living in developing countries. Additionally, air pollution increases mortality risks from heat, especially when combined with other factors like wildfires and reduced aerosols.
Researchers develop novel system to study coral skeletons, enabling climate-resilient coral polyp development. A gene from the stony coral Stylophora pistillata is used to induce calcium concentration and skeleton formation in a sea anemone.
A team from the Alfred Wegener Institute found that warm Atlantic water is melting Greenland's 79° North Glacier, causing it to grow thinner. The study used a high-resolution ocean model to simulate the circulation below the ice tongue, revealing that higher ocean temperatures in the Atlantic are chiefly determining the melting rates.
Researchers found a decline in microbial genetic richness in the western Arctic Ocean, with subtle but statistically significant changes in community structure and function. The study suggests that warming and freshening of the ocean risks strengthening the microbial loop, potentially impacting the marine food web.
A recent Monterey Bay Aquarium study found that denser and more sheltered kelp forests can withstand severe stressors from warming ocean temperatures. The research also showed that persistent kelp forests are better equipped to handle multiple stressors, including sea urchin outbreaks and marine heatwaves.
The study found that different instrumental systems in the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) complement each other and are essential for accurately monitoring ocean warming. The GOOS, which includes platforms such as free drifting instrumented floats, mooring buoys, and autonomous pinniped data, provides a comprehensive view of ocea...
Scientists have found that deposits deep under the ocean floor reveal a way to measure ocean oxygen levels and their connections with carbon dioxide during the last ice age. This study could improve predictions of how oceans will respond to global warming.
Research using a high-resolution climate model found that global warming amplifies the strength of typhoons in East Asia, leading to increased intense rainfall and powerful storms. The study suggests that continued escalation of global warming will result in stronger typhoons and more extensive occurrences of extreme precipitation events.
The Atlantic Ocean near Bermuda has warmed by 1°C over the past 40 years, with surface temperatures increasing by 0.24°C per decade since the 1980s. The ocean's salinity and oxygen levels have also decreased, leading to increased acidity, which can affect marine life.
A modelling study published in Scientific Reports suggests that rising global temperatures could lead to an expansion of the green turtle's nesting range in the Mediterranean Sea. The authors found that sea surface temperature, salinity, and human population density most affect the suitability of a location as a nesting site.
Researchers at Newcastle University found that climate change can cause frozen methane to melt and release methane into the sea. This process, known as hydrate dissociation, has significant implications for predicting and addressing the impact of methane on our changing climate.
Researchers have found that Vibrio bacteria play a role in outbreaks of mortality among dark stinging sponges weakened by warming Mediterranean. The study suggests climate change may be impacting disease dynamics in sponges and their pathogens.
Local sea snails, such as the frilled dog winkle, are vulnerable to warming oceans due to their inability to adapt or migrate. In contrast, species like oysters and northern anchovies, which are tolerant of heat, may survive in warmer waters.
Scientists tracking Cadman Glacier's rapid retreat highlight the importance of long-term monitoring of Antarctica's polar regions. The glacier's ice shelf thinned due to warmer ocean waters, leading to a 28% increase in ice discharge over 13 months.
Researchers urge concerted action to mitigate global warming's impact on polar ecosystems, which are both the most-threatened and least-understood areas. The study aims to map all biodiversity in these regions to sustainably manage unique habitats and their ecosystem services.
A new approach to understanding climate change effects on marine ecosystems considers both smooth trends and variable changes, highlighting areas vulnerable to extreme events. Researchers propose a 'more realistic' conceptual model to better predict future consequences.
A recent study found that ocean acidification in the Mediterranean is already affecting the calcification of marine plankton, with negative consequences for marine ecosystems. The research suggests that anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions are the main driver of this decline, while ocean warming may be mitigating this effect.
Research shows some barnacles morphing to protect themselves from predators, while others remain unchanged in cooler regions. The study found bent morphs prevalent in warmer waters, but absent in colder areas.
A new study has found that a relatively ancient shark species, the smalltooth sand tiger, exhibits anatomic features suggesting regional endothermy. This discovery suggests there may be more warm-blooded sharks than previously believed, and potentially poses significant conservation implications for these species.
A new study reveals ocean warming rates nearly doubling since the 1990s, with some areas absorbing more heat than others. The Southern Ocean saw the largest increase in heat storage over the past two decades.
A new study led by FSU professor Mariana Fuentes found that shifting nesting timing may not be enough to counteract the impacts of climate change on sea turtle hatchlings. Warmer temperatures cause lower hatchling success and disrupt female turtle viability, threatening species viability.
The West Antarctic Ice Sheet is projected to melt at an increased rate, even under ambitious climate targets. Sea levels may rise by up to five meters, impacting millions of people living near the coast. The study's findings highlight the need for continued efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to sea-level rise.
Researchers from the University of Plymouth discovered coral reef bleaching at depths previously thought to be resilient, highlighting the vulnerability of mesophotic coral ecosystems to thermal stress. The study suggests that climate change is causing a deepening of the thermocline, leading to increased bleaching in the deeper ocean.
Rising Arctic temperatures are causing a mass migration of zooplankton, which Pacific right whales rely on for food. This shift is also drawing industrial fishing fleets northward, increasing the risk of ship collisions and gear entanglements.
Juvenile crown-of-thorns sea stars (COTS) exhibit high tolerance to heatwave conditions that cause coral bleaching and mortality. This finding suggests they may persist as major coral predators in reefs vulnerable to climate change, threatening coral health.
A new study confirms the presence of deadly Vibrio bacteria in Florida's coastal waters following Hurricane Ian. The research, led by University of Maryland senior author Rita Colwell, found high levels of pathogenic Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus, particularly in oyster samples from Lee County.
Over 71 of Antarctica's 162 ice shelves have reduced in volume over the past 25 years, with a net release of 7.5 trillion tonnes of meltwater into the oceans. The western side of Antarctica experienced significant ice loss, while the eastern side remained relatively stable.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that 72% of US-managed cetacean and pinniped stocks are highly or very highly vulnerable to climate change. The researchers used a trait-based climate vulnerability assessment framework to evaluate the impacts on marine mammals.
New research from Northumbria University suggests that the West Antarctic ice sheet has not yet reached a tipping point towards irreversible collapse. The study, which used three different computer models to simulate the ice sheet's behavior, found that large-scale, irreversible ice loss in Antarctica is possible but not imminent.
The State of the Climate report confirms record highs in greenhouse gas concentrations, global sea levels, and ocean heat content. Scientists from over 60 countries contributed to the annual review, providing a comprehensive update on Earth's climate indicators and notable weather events.
A study published in Nature Geoscience found that blowing snow produces fine sea salt aerosols, increasing particle concentration and cloud formation in the central Arctic. These aerosols contribute to Arctic warming by trapping surface long-wave radiation, boosting temperatures.
A team of international scientists found that coral reefs, marshes, and mangroves could be destroyed within the next 30 years from rising sea levels. Coastal habitats are essential for protecting coastlines, trapping carbon, and supporting millions of coastal residents.
A new study reveals that Pacific coral reefs have increased their thermal tolerance to higher ocean temperatures, reducing the risk of bleaching. This natural adaptation could help reefs withstand climate change if global carbon emissions are cut down.
A new study led by Brown University researchers provides unprecedented insights into the forces influencing Arctic sea ice motion. The analysis reveals how local tidal currents affect sea ice movement and highlights the crucial role of the seafloor in causing abrupt changes.
A team of researchers from Harvard and Hong Kong Baptist University identified patterns to predict extreme heat and ozone days in China. The model correlated sea surface temperature anomalies with increases in heat waves and ozone about 80% of the time, providing a forecast for the government to prepare resources.
A new study uses marine fossils to infer the health and stability of coastal ecosystems, revealing consistent patterns in population declines and species extinctions. The findings provide a reliable benchmark for conservation efforts and offer insights into the impacts of human activities on marine biodiversity.
Researchers used coastal surveys from 1993-2021 to find a dramatic delayed effect of warmer oceans on seabird mortality. Massive die-offs occurred roughly once per decade, with five events exceeding a quarter million birds between 2014 and 2019.
A review of research on Arctic-subarctic ocean linkages suggests stronger heat convergence and increased freshwater input due to climate change. This can impact marine life and the evolution of the climate, with implications for policy-making and mitigation strategies.