Oceans
All Ocean Life Follows This Massive Pattern—Except Where Humans Have Interfered
Humans have shifted the weight of life in the sea
Oceans62 articles archived since 1845
Oceans
We Need a Global Plastics Treaty to Stop an Environmental Disaster
Truly global participation in the process will create more than just a Paris Agreement for plastics
Climate Change
Extreme Heat Becomes New Normal for Oceans
Once rare marine heat waves have become routine, threatening coral reefs and other sea creatures
Oceans
How Marine Wildlife Can Coexist with Offshore Wind [Sponsored]
Harnessing the wind to blow back emissions is not without its own impacts, so researchers are developing technologies to coexist with whales and other ocean-dwelling species.
Oceans
Oceans Break Heat Record for Third Year in a Row
Last year broke the record from 2020 by about 14 zettajoules, or 20 times the world’s annual energy consumption
Oceans
Historical Shipwreck Keeps Moving, Revealing Dangerous Underwater Mudflows
A ship sunk by a German U-boat in 1942 can today help track large pulses of mud from the Mississippi River
Climate Change
Moving CO2 from Air to Oceans May Be Necessary to Slow Warming
A major new report from the National Academies examines options to store carbon in the oceans
Oceans
Half of the World’s Coastal Sewage Pollution Flows from Few Dozen Places
An analysis of roughly 135,000 watersheds reveals that large amounts of key pollutants come from human wastewater, not just agricultural runoff
Climate Change
Coastal Darkening Could Block Kelp’s Carbon Sink Potential
Sediment and algal blooms are blocking sunlight, reducing kelp productivity
Oceans
Bringing Fisheries Back from the Brink
Marine biologist Daniel Pauly did a turnabout from helping fishing trawlers to fighting them. Can struggling fisheries now turn around?
Renewable Energy
Contest Challenges Inventors to Harness Wave Power to Desalinate Seawater
The Department of Energy wants devices that could be deployed to disaster areas that have lost electricity
Renewable Energy
Wave Power Charges Ahead with Static Electricity Generators
An ocean-powered buoy brings technology closer to the dream of obtaining energy from the sea
Conservation
Will Probiotics Save Corals or Harm Them?
Bacteria are helping corals in lab tests, but risks rise as treatments are applied in the wild
Conservation
Seagrass Forests Counteract Ocean Acidification
More of the coastal vegetation could lessen stress on corals and shellfish
Conservation
A Few Fixes Could Cut Noise Pollution That Hurts Ocean Animals
Redesigning ship propellors and installing acoustic “curtains” could lower the volume on anthropogenic noise that disrupts ocean life
Climate Change
Harsh Droughts Can Actually Start over Oceans
Similar to hurricanes, they can hit land, but their slow pace could improve drought forecasts
Energy
Floating Offshore Wind Turbines Set to Make Inroads in U.S.
These turbines can be used in deeper waters than existing ones, which opens more areas of the coast to wind power
Pollution
COVID-19 Has Worsened the Ocean Plastic Pollution Problem
A drastic increase in use of masks and gloves, plus a decline in recycling programs, is threatening the health of the seas
Biotech
Flexible Armor Inspired by Mollusks Better Defends Joints
A scaly sea creature called a chiton sparks an idea for new protective gear
Conservation
Ocean Species Are Shifting toward the Poles
Changes in species abundance can throw food chains out of whack and put livelihoods at risk
