All articles tagged with #ocean ecosystem
Originally Published 2 months ago — by The Inertia
The disappearance of the deep-sea 'zombie worm' (Osedax), which feeds on whale bones, may indicate declining oxygen levels in the ocean caused by warming, potentially disrupting important deep-sea ecosystems and leading to species loss.
Originally Published 3 months ago — by Energy Reporters
NASA satellites captured a massive bioluminescent phytoplankton bloom off Australia's coast, creating a striking turquoise glow that highlights the ecological importance of these microscopic organisms in supporting marine life and understanding ocean dynamics.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Phys.org
A recent study by researchers from the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research and the Alfred Wegener Institute has found large quantities of plastic waste and microplastics in a remote marine protected area in the Pacific Ocean, similar to those found in one of the world's largest known garbage patches. The study highlights that plastics are distributed much more widely than expected, posing a threat to the entire ocean ecosystem. The researchers call for global emissions of plastics into the ocean to be stopped as quickly as possible and advocate for the adoption of a legally binding global Plastics Treaty to address plastic pollution.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by NASA
NASA will provide coverage of the upcoming PACE mission, which aims to study the interaction between oceans and atmosphere in a changing climate. The launch is scheduled for February 6, and live coverage will be available on NASA+ and NASA Television. The mission will shed light on the impact of microscopic life in water and particles in the air. Media and the public can participate in prelaunch activities and ask questions using #AskNASA on social media. Additionally, NASA's virtual guest program allows the public to attend the launch virtually and engage with the mission online.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Ars Technica
Researchers with the Tara Oceans project have discovered a new phylum of DNA viruses called mirusviruses that are shaped like herpesviruses and infect eukaryotes but share a key enzyme with large and giant viruses. The mirusviruses are among the most abundant eukaryotic viruses in the sunlit oceans and are super active within the plankton they infect, indicating that they likely play key roles in the marine ecosystem. The discovery suggests that these eukaryotic viruses share a common ancestor with herpesviruses, and the authors speculate that the shared enzyme was transferred between a giant virus and this common ancestor.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by CBS News
Coastal species are thriving in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, with evidence of reproduction in their plastic homes, according to a study published in the Nature Ecology & Evolution journal. The diversity and frequency of coastal species found on more than 70% of debris is new, and researchers suggest that the plastisphere may provide new opportunities for coastal species to expand populations into the open ocean, altering oceanic communities and ecosystem processes. The study highlights the urgent need for policy intervention to reduce plastic waste entering the ocean.