Tag

Marine Science

All articles tagged with #marine science

environment27 days ago•6 min saved

Global map reveals climate-resilient coral reefs as conservation priorities

Researchers mapped climate resilience of coral reefs and found about 166,000 square kilometers globally that can withstand warming, with hotspots in the Bahamas, Cuba, Australia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Resilience stems from factors like upwelling cooling, favorable microbes, and the ability to rebound after bleaching, guiding targeted conservation investments such as protected areas and restoration. However, El Niño and ongoing warming threaten reefs, and protecting diversity of resilience within reefs is crucial.

via CBC|

#climate-change #conservation #coral-reefs

science2 months ago•5 min saved

Giant Squid Detected in Australia’s Deep-Sea Canyons Through Environmental DNA

Researchers aboard the R/V Falkor used environmental DNA (eDNA) to sample Cape Range and Cloates submarine canyons off Western Australia, detecting Architeuthis dux DNA and identifying 226 species across 11 groups at depths over 4 kilometers—many DNA signals don’t match known species—revealing vast, previously hidden deep-sea biodiversity.

via The Daily Galaxy|

#deep-sea-biodiversity #edna #giant-squid

science3 months ago•10 min saved

China unveils Open-Sea Floating Island, a mobile deep-sea science platform

China launches the Open-Sea Floating Island, the world’s first ultra-large, all-weather floating marine research platform designed to operate in harsh offshore conditions. The three-part system—central semi-submersible platform, ship-based laboratories, and land support—will enable deep-sea exploration, testing of mining and offshore equipment, and improved typhoon forecasting, with completion targeted for 2030 and depths up to 32,800 feet.

via Interesting Engineering|

#china #deep-sea-research #floating-island

environment6 months ago•1 min saved

Fiddler Crabs Help Decompose Microplastics, Study Finds

A study by Exeter University found that fiddler crabs in Colombia's polluted mangrove forests can break down microplastic particles within days, but this may release harmful nanoplastics into their tissues and the food chain, raising concerns about pollution adaptation and environmental impact.

via BBC|

#environment #exeter-university #fiddler-crabs

environment9 months ago•6 min saved

North Atlantic Ocean Currents Show Signs of Critical Instability Threatening Global Climate

A recent study using clam shell growth rings confirms that climate change is disrupting the North Atlantic subpolar gyre, a key ocean current system, which could lead to significant regional and global climate impacts, including more extreme weather, sea level rise, and shifts in ocean heat transport, signaling potential irreversible tipping points in Earth's climate systems.

via Inside Climate News|

#climate-change #environment #marine-science

environment1 year ago•3 min saved

Severe Heat and Cyclones Devastate Northern Great Barrier Reef Corals

The Great Barrier Reef has suffered significant coral loss due to extreme heat, cyclones, and flooding, with some areas losing over a third of their coral cover. The Australian Institute of Marine Science reports that climate change-driven heat stress is the primary cause, exacerbated by cyclones and freshwater flooding. The mass bleaching event is part of a global trend linked to rising ocean temperatures from fossil fuel emissions. Conservationists warn that the reef's resilience is nearing its limits, urging significant emissions reductions and a halt to new fossil fuel projects.

via The Guardian|

#climate-change #coral-bleaching #environment

environment2 years ago•9 min saved

"Reviving Coral Reefs: Innovations and Challenges in the Face of Record Heat Levels"

Scientists in Australia are breeding "super corals" in an effort to help the Great Barrier Reef withstand the effects of climate change. By selectively breeding corals that can tolerate extreme heat better, they hope to buy time for the reefs to adapt. However, many coral biologists caution that breeding "super corals" is not a long-term solution and emphasize the urgent need to address climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

via NPR|

#assisted-evolution #climate-change #coral-breeding

marine-biology2 years ago•3 min saved

"Unveiling the Mystery of Hammerhead Shark Embryos"

Scientists have gained rare access to the development of hammerhead shark embryos, shedding light on the mystery of their unique heads. Unlike most shark species, hammerheads gestate their pups in utero, with up to 16 embryos nourished by umbilical cords before live birth. By salvaging embryos from deceased adult female sharks, researchers were able to document the entire set of developmental stages, creating a visual growth chart and uncovering insights into the evolution of these peculiar sharks.

via ScienceAlert|

#embryo-development #evolutionary-biology #hammerhead-shark

marine-biology2 years ago•2 min saved

Orca's Unprecedented Solo Attack Kills Great White Shark

Scientists have observed a lone Orca, named Starboard, attacking and killing a great white shark in South Africa, marking the first documented instance of such behavior in the region. The orca swiftly killed the shark and consumed its liver, a behavior that has raised concerns among scientists about potential disruptions in the balance of apex predators in the ocean, possibly due to human activities such as climate change and industrial fishing. The incidents of orcas preying on great white sharks appear to be increasing, posing potential threats to other species in the marine ecosystem.

via KOMO News|

#great-white-shark #marine-biology #marine-science

nature-and-wildlife2 years ago•2 min saved

Orca's Unprecedented Solo Kill: Taking Down a Great White Shark

A groundbreaking video captured a lone orca hunting and killing a great white shark off the coast of South Africa in just two minutes, a behavior previously unseen. The orca swiftly eviscerated the shark and consumed its liver, suggesting a potential driving force behind the sharks' absence in certain areas. The footage provides valuable insights into orcas' predatory behavior and their selective feeding habits, shedding light on their impact on the marine ecosystem.

via PetaPixel|

#great-white-shark #marine-science #nature-and-wildlife

marine-biology2 years ago•4 min saved

"Solitary Orca's Swift Victory: Killing a Great White Shark in Under 2 Minutes"

New footage captures a lone orca hunting and consuming a great white shark in just 2 minutes, marking the first record of a single orca killing a great white without the help of its podmates. The incident, which took place off the coast of South Africa, has led great whites to abandon a popular hunting ground due to orca predation. Scientists speculate that orcas target sharks' fatty livers due to their high nutritional value, and this behavior could have important conservation implications for shark species already facing man-made pressures.

via Livescience.com|

#conservation #great-white-shark #marine-biology

science2 years ago•2 min saved

"Unraveling the Mystery of Whale Song: Unique Vocal Features and Underwater Communication"

Scientists have discovered a unique feature in the voice boxes of whales, which allows them to produce loud songs that travel through the ocean. This discovery, based on lab experiments with the voice boxes of three baleen whales, suggests that whales have adapted their voice boxes over millions of years to make sounds underwater. The study, published in the journal Nature, sheds light on how whales communicate and may direct future research in this field. The findings also highlight the potential impact of human-generated noise, such as shipping industry, on whales' ability to communicate and mate.

via Yahoo News|

#marine-science #ocean #research

marine-biology2 years ago•2 min saved

"Unveiling the World's First Live Newborn Great White Shark: Rare Footage and Photos"

The world's first photo of a newborn great white shark in the wild has been released, providing new insight into where these sharks give birth. The photo, taken off the coast of Santa Barbara, California, shows a five-foot-long, completely white newborn shedding an 'embryonic layer.' Experts believe this sheds light on the early development of great white sharks and challenges previous notions about where they give birth, suggesting it may be in shallower waters than previously thought.

via LADbible|

#great-white-shark #marine-biology #marine-science

science2 years ago•3 min saved

"Bizarre Transparent Crustacean with Enormous Eyes Found near the Bahamas"

Scientists in the Bahamas have discovered a new species of deep-sea crustacean, named Booralana nickorum, with a see-through body and giant eyes, using LED lights and glow sticks. This ancient species, which has been on the planet for 300 million years, plays a crucial role in maintaining ecosystem health by speeding up decomposition and capturing carbon in the deep ocean. The discovery helps researchers understand the distribution of deep-sea animals and the potential impact of human activities like deep-sea oil exploration on precious ecosystems.

via Livescience.com|

#bahamas #deep-sea-crustacean #ecosystem

marine-biology2 years ago•2 min saved

Shark Regenerates Torn Dorsal Fin in Remarkable Recovery

A study published in the Journal of Marine Sciences documents the remarkable regeneration of a silky shark's dorsal fin, which had been injured and subsequently healed to 87% of its original size within 332 days. The shark's recovery was observed after a satellite tag tracker was forcefully removed, causing the initial injury. The research highlights the vulnerability of silky sharks due to over-fishing and emphasizes the importance of not disrupting their natural healing processes, as well as the negative impact of lost tracking data on conservation efforts.

via Gizmodo|

#dorsal-fin-regeneration #marine-biology #marine-conservation