All articles tagged with #ocean pollution
Scientists have discovered over 40 methane seeps in the Ross Sea near Antarctica, indicating a rapid increase in underwater methane release that could significantly impact global warming predictions and marine ecosystems, raising concerns about a potential feedback loop exacerbating climate change.
A rare pygmy sperm whale found off Honduras died after ingesting an 11-inch plastic bag, highlighting the devastating impact of ocean plastics on marine life, especially vulnerable species like this elusive whale, and emphasizing the need for global and individual efforts to reduce plastic waste.
Decades-old hazardous waste barrels off Los Angeles coast, initially thought to contain DDT, are actually leaking alkaline waste that has transformed the seafloor into extreme environments, creating toxic halos and impacting local microbial communities, with effects still evident over 50 years later.
Scientists have identified that some of the mysterious 'halo' barrels submerged off Los Angeles contain caustic alkaline waste, which has persisted for decades, creating extreme environments on the seafloor and potentially leaching toxic metals, highlighting long-term environmental impacts of historical dumping of industrial and chemical waste.
New research reveals that decades-old barrels of industrial waste, containing caustic alkaline substances, are still impacting the ocean floor off Los Angeles, creating extreme environments and persistent pollution, with potential long-term ecological consequences.
A TikTok video showing a boater removing balloons from the ocean highlights the environmental dangers of balloon pollution, which harms marine animals and ecosystems by introducing microplastics and entanglement hazards. The video calls for banning balloons and increasing public awareness to protect ocean health.
Researchers have estimated that the North Atlantic Ocean contains about 27 million tons of nanoplastics less than 1 micrometer in size, highlighting the vast and largely invisible scale of plastic pollution in our oceans and its potential impact on ecosystems and human health. The study emphasizes the need to prevent further plastic pollution, as nanoplastics are pervasive and difficult to clean up.
Scientists have estimated that approximately 27 million tons of nanoplastics are present in the North Atlantic Ocean, revealing a vast amount of tiny plastic particles that are difficult to clean up and pose potential risks to marine life and human health. The study highlights the importance of preventing further plastic pollution rather than attempting to remove existing nanoplastics.
A study estimates that approximately 27 million tons of nanoplastics, tiny plastic particles smaller than 1 micrometer, are floating in the North Atlantic Ocean, highlighting a significant and previously unquantified component of plastic pollution with potential ecological and health impacts.
Researchers have found that juvenile Brazilian sharpnose sharks off the coast of Brazil are contaminated with cocaine, likely due to pollution from drug trafficking and wastewater, raising concerns about the impact of chemical pollutants on marine life and ecosystems.
Scientists are alarmed by a record-breaking amount of sargassum seaweed in the Caribbean, with over 38 million metric tons impacting shores and ecosystems, causing environmental and economic damage, and potentially spreading to the US due to ocean currents and weather patterns.
The International Space Station (ISS) is set for a controlled deorbit into the South Pacific Ocean in 2031, raising concerns about potential environmental impacts on Earth's atmosphere and oceans. While the ISS's reentry is not expected to significantly contribute to ocean pollution compared to other human activities, its atmospheric impact is less understood. NASA has contracted SpaceX to develop a deorbit vehicle for the ISS, but the lack of an international legal framework for space hardware disposal remains a concern. Environmental groups and researchers are calling for more regulations to address these issues.
The Pokémon Cursola, an evolution of Galarian Corsola, symbolizes the devastating impact of coral reef bleaching, a process exacerbated by climate change and human activities like CO2 emissions and ocean pollution. Coral reefs, vital marine ecosystems, are turning white and dying due to rising ocean temperatures and acidity, largely driven by industrialization. The article highlights the urgent need to protect these ecosystems, using Cursola as a metaphor for the environmental damage caused by humans.
New research published in Nature Communications reveals that satellites, even those not specifically designed for the task, can effectively track ocean garbage from space. By analyzing images from the Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission, researchers identified litter windrows in the Mediterranean Sea, highlighting pollution hotspots and seasonal variations. This breakthrough could enhance future satellite missions and improve environmental monitoring, ship navigation, and search-and-rescue operations.
A new study published in Environmental Science & Technology reveals that plastic pollution is more widespread in the Pacific Ocean than previously thought, with significant amounts of plastic waste and microplastics found in remote marine protected areas. Researchers from the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research and the Alfred Wegener Institute conducted a five-week expedition and discovered that plastic pollution is not only concentrated in well-known areas like the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, but also present across the entire ocean ecosystem. The study highlights the serious threat posed by ocean plastics to marine life and the potential risks to human health through the consumption of seafood contaminated with microplastics.