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Researchers Find Evidence for Catastrophic Oceanographic Events Associated with Climate Change

Members of a U.N.-sponsored research team with members from Appalachian State University’s Department of Geology have found evidence for catastrophic oceanographic events associated with climate change and a mass extinction 375 million years ago that devastated tropical marine ecosystems.

16 Dec 2013

Future Availability of Carbon Capture and Storage May be Significant for Climate Targets

The future availability of carbon capture and storage (CCS) will be pivotal in reaching ambitious climate targets, according to a new comprehensive study of future energy technologies from IIASA, the Potsdam Institute for Climate Change, and the Stanford Energy Modeling Forum.

13 Dec 2013

Wide Variety of Species Need to be Preserved for Effective Performance of Ecosystems

For years, scientists have believed that preserving more species, no matter which ones, is a key component to enhancing how well an ecosystem performs.

9 Dec 2013

Global Warming Shrinks Massive Plates of Sea Ice in the Arctic Ocean

For the past three decades, as the climate has warmed, the massive plates of sea ice in the Arctic Ocean have shrunk: In 2007, scientists observed nearly 50 percent less summer ice than had been seen in 1980.

5 Dec 2013

Geochemistry Researchers Provide Benchmarks for Monitoring Shale Gas Pollution

As a result of the fracking revolution, North America has overtaken Saudi Arabia as the world's largest producer of oil and gas. This, despite endless protests from environmentalists. But does drilling for natural gas really cause pollution levels to skyrocket?

4 Dec 2013

UC Researchers Report Fishing Impacts Coral Reef Health

In the first global assessment of its kind, a science team led by researchers at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego has produced a landmark report on the impact of fishing on a group of fish known to protect the health of coral reefs. The report, published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B (Biological Sciences), offers key data for setting management and conservation targets to protect and preserve fragile coral reefs.

4 Dec 2013

Researchers Report Large Accumulations of Microplastic as Hazardous to Marine Ecosystems

With global production of plastic exceeding 280 metric tons every year, a fair amount of the stuff is bound to make its way to the natural environment. However, until now researchers haven't known whether ingested plastic transfers chemical additives or pollutants to wildlife.

3 Dec 2013

Researchers Report Potential of Marine Reserves to Resist Climate Change

A new study, led by a University of Southampton scientist, highlights the potential for fish communities in marine reserves to resist climate change impacts better than communities on fished coasts.

3 Dec 2013

Foraminifera Study Results Hold Potential to Better Understand Earth’s Climate History

New insights into the growth dynamics of minuscule marine organisms could help put the study of Earth’s climate, both present and prehistoric, on a more solid footing.

25 Nov 2013

GoMRI to Fund Study on Impact of Hydrocarbon Releases on the Environment and Public Health

The Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI) announced today that it plans to award up to $105 million to support research consortia investigating the effect, and the potential associated impact, of hydrocarbon releases on the environment and public health, as well as to develop improved spill mitigation, oil detection, characterization, and remediation technologies.

18 Nov 2013