Marine Ecosystems
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Antarctic Ice Melt Weakens Strongest Ocean Current, Disrupting Global Circulation
The Antarctic Circumpolar Current, the planet’s most powerful ocean circulation system, could slow by 20 percent by 2050 due to melting Antarctic ice. Researchers suggest that the influx of fresh, cold water is disrupting convection, altering global ocean density. A weaker current may allow warm water to reach Antarctica, accelerating ice loss an...
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Fossil Evidence Shows Plants Survived the End-Permian Mass Extinction in China
Fossils discovered in China indicate that the End-Permian mass extinction, which wiped out 80% of life on Earth, may not have been as devastating for plants as previously thought. Researchers found evidence of gymnosperm forests and ferns in rock layers from this period, suggesting that some ecosystems remained intact. This discovery challenges ass...
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World’s Largest Iceberg A23a Grounds Near South Georgia, Raising Wildlife and Environmental Concerns
The world’s largest iceberg, A23a, has run aground near South Georgia, a key wildlife haven. Scientists are monitoring its impact on marine life, particularly on penguins and seals, as it could disrupt feeding routes. Some experts suggest the iceberg may also enhance ocean productivity by releasing nutrients. If it fragments, it may pose risks to...
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Scientists Warn of Alarming Rise in Marine Heat Waves and Its Impact on Oceans
Reports indicate a sharp rise in marine heat waves, with 2023–2024 experiencing a 240% increase compared to past years. Scientists warn of devastating effects on marine life, including mass die-offs, coral reef degradation, and increased storm intensity. Coastal communities are at risk as extreme weather events linked to warming oceans become mor...
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World's Largest Iceberg A23a Resumes Journey North After Months of Stagnation
A23a, the largest iceberg in the world, has begun moving again after being trapped in a vortex near the South Orkney Islands. Weighing nearly a trillion tonnes and twice the size of Greater London, the iceberg has been stuck in the Weddell Sea for over three decades. Now on its way north, scientists are studying its potential environmental impacts,...
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Antarctic 'Plastisphere': A Unique, Potentially Hazardous New Ecosystem
Antarctica, the worlds most remote, harsh and pristine continent, is not free from marine pollution. Where human activity goes, plastic debris inevitably follows.
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Ocean Acidification Study: Carbon Emissions Driving Deeper Chemical Changes in Oceans
A study in Science Advances by researchers from ETH Zurich highlights the escalating depth of ocean acidification, driven by carbon emissions since the industrial era. By 2014, acidification had penetrated to an average depth of 1,000 metres, with some regions affected as deep as 1,500 metres. Using a 3D model, the study explores the altered marine...
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Sea Turtles Can Aid Scientists Map Under-Ocean Seagrass in an Attempt to Conserve Marine Ecology
A study in the Red Sea has shown that satellite-tagged green turtles can map seagrass meadows more accurately than conventional satellite imagery. By tracking 53 turtles, the researchers uncovered 34 new seagrass patches. This method not only overcomes the challenges of existing mapping technologies but also aids in conserving these vital ecosystem...
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Scientists Discover World's Largest Coral Discovered in Solomon Islands
A giant coral reef, the largest ever recorded, has been discovered in the Solomon Islands, measuring 111 feet wide and 104 feet long. This reef is estimated to be 300-500 years old, offering a vital habitat for marine life. Scientists are concerned about the threats it faces, including overfishing and climate change, both of which could jeopardize ...
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World's Largest Ocean Predator-Prey Marine Event Captured Off Norway's Coast
In a first-of-its-kind discovery, MIT scientists observed a massive predator-prey event in Norway, where millions of cod pursued spawning capelin. The event highlights the critical role of capelin in the marine food chain, providing sustenance for predatory fish like Atlantic cod. However, as Arctic ice retreats due to climate change, capelin face ...
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Record-Breaking Marine Predation Event Provides Insights into Ocean Ecosystems
In a groundbreaking observation, scientists have recorded the largest marine predation event ever documented, offering unprecedented insights into ocean ecosystem dynamics. Using advanced sonar technology, researchers tracked interactions between capelin, a small forage fish, and their primary predator, cod, as part of a massive, coordinated predat...
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How A Melting Iceberg Is Reshaping Marine Ecosystems
A massive iceberg, A-68, which broke off from Antarctica's Larsen C Ice Shelf in 2017, has created a distinctive marine environment during its four-year drift, according to recent scientific analyses.
-
Animal Life Discovered Underground Near Hydrothermal Vents in the Deep Pacific Seabed
Recent deep-sea explorations have unveiled a remarkable ecosystem thriving beneath the Pacific Ocean's floor. Scientists deployed a remotely operated vehicle to investigate hydrothermal vent sites along the East Pacific Rise, where two tectonic plates diverge. Beneath the seafloor, they discovered cavities harboring giant tubeworms—the largest wo...
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Climate Change Could Make Earth's Oldest Microorganisms Dominant in Oceans, Study Reveals
New research highlights a significant shift in marine ecosystems due to climate change. Prokaryotes, the oldest and smallest microorganisms on Earth, are expected to become more dominant as ocean temperatures rise. These microorganisms, which include bacteria and archaea, play a crucial role in marine nutrient cycles and food chains. However, their...
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Great Barrier Reef Faces Hottest Ocean Temperatures in 400 Years, Threatening Coral Survival
The Great Barrier Reef, one of Earth's most significant natural treasures, is currently experiencing its hottest sea surface temperatures in four centuries. According to a study published in Nature, the first quarter of 2024 recorded a temperature rise of 0.19°C above the previous peak. This extreme warming is directly linked to extensive coral bl...
-
Antarctic Ice Melt Weakens Strongest Ocean Current, Disrupting Global Circulation
The Antarctic Circumpolar Current, the planet’s most powerful ocean circulation system, could slow by 20 percent by 2050 due to melting Antarctic ice. Researchers suggest that the influx of fresh, cold water is disrupting convection, altering global ocean density. A weaker current may allow warm water to reach Antarctica, accelerating ice loss an...
-
Fossil Evidence Shows Plants Survived the End-Permian Mass Extinction in China
Fossils discovered in China indicate that the End-Permian mass extinction, which wiped out 80% of life on Earth, may not have been as devastating for plants as previously thought. Researchers found evidence of gymnosperm forests and ferns in rock layers from this period, suggesting that some ecosystems remained intact. This discovery challenges ass...
-
World’s Largest Iceberg A23a Grounds Near South Georgia, Raising Wildlife and Environmental Concerns
The world’s largest iceberg, A23a, has run aground near South Georgia, a key wildlife haven. Scientists are monitoring its impact on marine life, particularly on penguins and seals, as it could disrupt feeding routes. Some experts suggest the iceberg may also enhance ocean productivity by releasing nutrients. If it fragments, it may pose risks to...
-
Scientists Warn of Alarming Rise in Marine Heat Waves and Its Impact on Oceans
Reports indicate a sharp rise in marine heat waves, with 2023–2024 experiencing a 240% increase compared to past years. Scientists warn of devastating effects on marine life, including mass die-offs, coral reef degradation, and increased storm intensity. Coastal communities are at risk as extreme weather events linked to warming oceans become mor...
-
World's Largest Iceberg A23a Resumes Journey North After Months of Stagnation
A23a, the largest iceberg in the world, has begun moving again after being trapped in a vortex near the South Orkney Islands. Weighing nearly a trillion tonnes and twice the size of Greater London, the iceberg has been stuck in the Weddell Sea for over three decades. Now on its way north, scientists are studying its potential environmental impacts,...
-
Antarctic 'Plastisphere': A Unique, Potentially Hazardous New Ecosystem
Antarctica, the worlds most remote, harsh and pristine continent, is not free from marine pollution. Where human activity goes, plastic debris inevitably follows.
-
Ocean Acidification Study: Carbon Emissions Driving Deeper Chemical Changes in Oceans
A study in Science Advances by researchers from ETH Zurich highlights the escalating depth of ocean acidification, driven by carbon emissions since the industrial era. By 2014, acidification had penetrated to an average depth of 1,000 metres, with some regions affected as deep as 1,500 metres. Using a 3D model, the study explores the altered marine...
-
Sea Turtles Can Aid Scientists Map Under-Ocean Seagrass in an Attempt to Conserve Marine Ecology
A study in the Red Sea has shown that satellite-tagged green turtles can map seagrass meadows more accurately than conventional satellite imagery. By tracking 53 turtles, the researchers uncovered 34 new seagrass patches. This method not only overcomes the challenges of existing mapping technologies but also aids in conserving these vital ecosystem...
-
Scientists Discover World's Largest Coral Discovered in Solomon Islands
A giant coral reef, the largest ever recorded, has been discovered in the Solomon Islands, measuring 111 feet wide and 104 feet long. This reef is estimated to be 300-500 years old, offering a vital habitat for marine life. Scientists are concerned about the threats it faces, including overfishing and climate change, both of which could jeopardize ...
-
World's Largest Ocean Predator-Prey Marine Event Captured Off Norway's Coast
In a first-of-its-kind discovery, MIT scientists observed a massive predator-prey event in Norway, where millions of cod pursued spawning capelin. The event highlights the critical role of capelin in the marine food chain, providing sustenance for predatory fish like Atlantic cod. However, as Arctic ice retreats due to climate change, capelin face ...
-
Record-Breaking Marine Predation Event Provides Insights into Ocean Ecosystems
In a groundbreaking observation, scientists have recorded the largest marine predation event ever documented, offering unprecedented insights into ocean ecosystem dynamics. Using advanced sonar technology, researchers tracked interactions between capelin, a small forage fish, and their primary predator, cod, as part of a massive, coordinated predat...
-
How A Melting Iceberg Is Reshaping Marine Ecosystems
A massive iceberg, A-68, which broke off from Antarctica's Larsen C Ice Shelf in 2017, has created a distinctive marine environment during its four-year drift, according to recent scientific analyses.
-
Animal Life Discovered Underground Near Hydrothermal Vents in the Deep Pacific Seabed
Recent deep-sea explorations have unveiled a remarkable ecosystem thriving beneath the Pacific Ocean's floor. Scientists deployed a remotely operated vehicle to investigate hydrothermal vent sites along the East Pacific Rise, where two tectonic plates diverge. Beneath the seafloor, they discovered cavities harboring giant tubeworms—the largest wo...
-
Climate Change Could Make Earth's Oldest Microorganisms Dominant in Oceans, Study Reveals
New research highlights a significant shift in marine ecosystems due to climate change. Prokaryotes, the oldest and smallest microorganisms on Earth, are expected to become more dominant as ocean temperatures rise. These microorganisms, which include bacteria and archaea, play a crucial role in marine nutrient cycles and food chains. However, their...
-
Great Barrier Reef Faces Hottest Ocean Temperatures in 400 Years, Threatening Coral Survival
The Great Barrier Reef, one of Earth's most significant natural treasures, is currently experiencing its hottest sea surface temperatures in four centuries. According to a study published in Nature, the first quarter of 2024 recorded a temperature rise of 0.19°C above the previous peak. This extreme warming is directly linked to extensive coral bl...
