The relentless expansion of coastal megacities is reshaping the planet’s shorelines, often with dire consequences for marine life. These urban behemoths, thriving on global commerce, depend heavily on maritime transportation. 



Yet, the incessant movement of vessels through these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/major-coastal-cities-around-the-world-could-disappear-under-rising-seas-by-2100/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">waters</a> threatens marine ecosystems that once thrived undisturbed.



In a recent study, researchers turned their focus to China’s Greater Bay Area, encompassing Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao. This region, home to around 86 million people, is the largest coastal megacity by population and the second-largest by economic output. 



However, the same waters that drive its prosperity are now at risk, as vessel traffic surges, impacting sensitive marine habitats.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-vessel-traffic-and-marine-ecosystems">Vessel traffic and marine ecosystems</h2>



On any given day, the Greater Bay Area hosts nearly 6,000 vessels, criss-crossing its waters. The Environmental Sustainability and Resilience Joint Centre (<a href="https://www.exeter.ac.uk/global/cuhkpartnership/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ENSURE</a>) conducted an in-depth study to assess the extent of maritime traffic in this bustling region.



“We found that marine species are likely exposed to relentless presence of vessels,” noted Dr. Phil Doherty from the <a href="https://www.exeter.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Exeter</a>. 



The implications are severe. In shallow waters, propellers churn sediment, increasing turbidity and eroding shorelines. Noise pollution disrupts <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rising-seas-are-already-toppling-coastal-cities/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine communication</a>, while collisions pose direct threats to wildlife. 



These waters, once a sanctuary for endangered species, have become corridors of constant disturbance.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-conservation-zones-under-siege">Conservation zones under siege</h2>



Conservation zones, designed to safeguard <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coastal-cities-will-spend-over-3-trillion-dollars-damages-from-sea-level-rise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine life</a>, are now under siege. The study revealed that certain hotspots in the Greater Bay Area experienced disturbances on 95% of days during the study period. Despite their protected status, these areas remain vulnerable to vessel traffic, which shows no signs of slowing.



“With Hong Kong and Shenzhen hosting the busiest port in the world, the relentless pace of economic growth and development is taking a toll on the marine ecosystem,” said Dr. Felix Leung from the <a href="https://www.cuhk.edu.hk/english/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chinese University of Hong Kong</a>.



This statement encapsulates the conflict - economic progress continues to rise, but at the expense of ecological stability.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shallow-waters-face-severe-impact">Shallow waters face severe impact</h2>



Eighty percent of vessel traffic in the Greater Bay Area occurs in waters less than 20 meters deep. 



The density of vessels in these shallow zones amplifies their impact, exacerbating erosion and disrupting vulnerable habitats like seagrass beds, coral reefs, and coastal wetlands.



Fishing vessels concentrate their activity around the southwestern tip of Lantau Island, forming dense clusters that overlap with key conservation areas. Meanwhile, non-fishing vessels dominate the shipping lanes, linking Hong Kong, Shenzhen, and Macau. 



According to the study, non-fishing vessels outnumber fishing vessels by a ratio of nearly ten to one, intensifying the strain on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sinking-land-will-intensify-the-effects-of-rising-sea-levels/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine</a> ecosystems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-endangered-marine-species-face-new-threats">Endangered marine species face new threats</h2>



The Greater Bay Area’s waters serve as a vital refuge for several endangered species, including the Chinese white dolphin and the finless porpoise. These species, already threatened by habitat loss, now face additional risks from vessel traffic. 



“Put simply, boats and ships are everywhere, all the time,” noted Dr. Phil Doherty.



Other vulnerable species, such as green turtles, Chinese horseshoe crabs, and mangrove horseshoe crabs, are also feeling the effects. Decades of land reclamation have altered these habitats, reducing safe havens for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sea-level-warnings-what-coastal-cities-must-prepare-for/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine</a> life. 



As vessel activity continues unabated, these species struggle to survive in increasingly fragmented environments.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mapping-vessel-traffic-in-bay-area">Mapping vessel traffic in Bay Area</h2>



To grasp the extent of vessel traffic, researchers employed Automatic Identification System (AIS) technology. 



This satellite-based tracking system allowed the team to map vessel movements over six years, from 2013 to 2018. The data revealed patterns that were both troubling and persistent.



The study mapped over 5,981 vessels operating daily in the Greater Bay Area. Fishing vessels concentrated near Lantau Island, while non-fishing vessels followed structured shipping lanes. 



The findings also highlighted the overlapping footprints of these vessel classes, with many areas experiencing consistent traffic from both fishing and non-fishing vessels.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-seasonal-vessel-peaks-intensify-impact">Seasonal vessel peaks intensify impact</h2>



Seasonal changes in vessel traffic provided additional insights. Fishing vessels displayed biannual peaks, aligning with the Chinese New Year and the summer fishing moratorium. During these periods, fishing activity surged, disrupting habitats in concentrated bursts.



Non-fishing vessels, on the other hand, maintained more consistent patterns. Commercial lanes remained active year-round, with a slight uptick during major economic periods. 



This constant flow of vessels exacerbates the cumulative impact on marine ecosystems, which receive little reprieve from human activity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-strategies-to-reduce-vessel-traffic-impact">Strategies to reduce vessel traffic impact</h2>



Addressing the ecological fallout of vessel traffic requires a strategic, multi-pronged approach. “The Greater Bay Area is an interesting test case for coastal cities as they grow,” emphasized Dr. Stephen Lang from the University of Exeter.



Proposed mitigation strategies include rerouting shipping lanes to avoid key habitats, reducing vessel speeds to minimize collisions, and adopting quieter, less polluting ships. 



The establishment of marine protected areas that effectively regulate vessel activity could also provide much-needed refuges for endangered species.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-data-accessibility-and-broader-implications">Data accessibility and broader implications</h2>



The study’s findings serve as a critical resource for policymakers and conservationists. By making their processed datasets freely accessible, the researchers aim to facilitate further studies on the environmental impact of maritime traffic in other coastal megacities.



“To safeguard these ecologically sensitive areas, governments must adhere to the Global Biodiversity Framework, ensuring both protection and sustainable management for future generations,” noted Dr. Leung.



This call to action highlights the urgent need for policies that balance economic growth with environmental conservation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-safeguarding-coastal-ecosystems">Safeguarding coastal ecosystems</h2>



The relentless growth of coastal megacities underscores a pressing global dilemma: How can we protect marine ecosystems in regions that are vital economic hubs? 



The Greater Bay Area exemplifies this conflict. Once a sanctuary for marine species, it is now a region marked by ceaseless vessel traffic, with its waters teeming with ships and boats.



Despite the gravity of these findings, hope remains. The researchers’ recommendations offer a pathway forward - one that emphasizes sustainable maritime practices, effective conservation measures, and data-driven policymaking. 



By heeding these recommendations, policymakers can chart a course that protects vulnerable species while accommodating economic growth.



The future of coastal megacities like the Greater Bay Area depends on making informed, strategic decisions that prioritize both economic development and environmental health. 



The findings of this study provide a crucial foundation for such efforts, highlighting the urgent need for action before the tides of commerce irrevocably alter the fragile balance of marine ecosystems.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308597X2500154X?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marine Policy</a>.



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Marine life is exposed to 'relentless' ship traffic in coastal megacities

The relentless expansion of coastal megacities is reshaping the planet’s shorelines, often with dire consequences for marine life. These urban behemoths, thriving on global commerce, depend heavily on maritime transportation. Yet, the incessant movement of vessels through these waters threatens marine ecosystems that once thrived undisturbed. In a recent study, researchers turned their focus to China’s Greater Bay Area, encompassing Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao. This region, home to around 86 million people, is the largest coastal megacity by population and the second-largest by economic output. However,...

The world must honor its commitment to restore at least one billion degraded hectares of land in the next decade in order to address the triple threat of climate change, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/changes-in-fish-biodiversity-lead-to-lower-nutritional-quality/">biodiversity</a> loss, and pollution. This is the message of a new report from the <a href="https://www.unep.org/">UN Environment Programme</a> (UNEP) and the <a href="http://www.fao.org/home/en/">Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN</a> (FAO).

According to the study authors, humanity is using about 1.6 times the amount of services that nature can provide sustainably. In order words, conservation efforts will not be enough to prevent large-scale ecosystem collapse and biodiversity loss. 

Worldwide, the costs of terrestrial restoration are estimated to reach at least $200 billion per year by 2030. The researchers found that every $1 invested in restoration creates up to $30 in economic benefits.

Restoration is urgently needed for terrestrial ecosystems including farmlands, forests, grasslands and savannahs. The experts report that some of the world's poorest communities are living across two billion degraded hectares of land.

"This report presents the case for why we must all throw our weight behind a global restoration effort. Drawing on the latest scientific evidence, it sets out the crucial role played by ecosystems, from forests and farmland to rivers and oceans, and it charts the losses that result from a poor stewardship of the planet," wrote UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen and FAO Director-General QU Dongyu.

"Degradation is already affecting the well-being of an estimated 3.2 billion people - that is 40 percent of the world's population. Every single year we lose ecosystem services worth more than 10 percent of our global economic output."

Ecosystem restoration leads to "massive gains," explained the study authors, such as cleaner air and water, extreme weather mitigation, improved human health, and recovered biodiversity. The restoration process involves practices ranging from reforestation to re-wetting peatlands.

Actions that prevent, halt and reverse degradation are necessary to meet the Paris Agreement target of keeping global temperature rise below two degrees Celsius, noted the researchers. 

The experts also pointed out that restoration, if combined with the protection of natural ecosystems, may help avoid 60 percent of expected biodiversity extinctions. 

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://advances.sciencemag.org/">Science Advances</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Intense nature restoration needed to address the climate crisis

The world must honor its commitment to restore at least...

A new study from <a href="https://www.ucsc.edu/">UC Santa Cruz</a> has revealed that over the past 1.2 million years, low-oxygen dead zones have repeatedly emerged in the subarctic North Pacific Ocean during warm <a href="https://www.earth.com/video/satellite-data-helps-scientists-predict-the-impacts-of-climate-change/">climates</a>. The findings provide critical information about the causes of low oxygen - or hypoxia - in the North Pacific, and will help to predict these conditions in the future.

"It is essential to understand whether climate change is pushing the oceans toward a 'tipping point' for abrupt and severe hypoxia that would destroy ecosystems, food sources, and economies," said study first author Karla Knudson.

The investigation was focused on the analysis of deep sediment cores from the Bering Sea. When organisms living in the seafloor sediments have been killed due to hypoxia, an orderly pattern of layers is preserved. Thus provides experts with a record of past low-oxygen events. 

At the end of the last ice age, a massive influx of fresh water into the ocean caused widespread hypoxia. The new study has produced the first records of earlier low-oxygen events.

"It doesn't take a huge perturbation like melting ice sheets for this to happen," said study co-author Professor Ana Christina Ravelo. "These abrupt hypoxic events are actually common in the geologic record, and they are not typically associated with deglaciation. They almost always happen during the warm interglacial periods, like the one we're in now."

While it remains unclear what triggers a hypoxic event, there is evidence that ocean warming, rising sea levels, and iron availability play a role. Hypoxia occurs after a surge in phytoplankton, which ultimately deplete the water of oxygen. 

"Our study shows that high sea levels, which occur during warm interglacial climates, contributed to these hypoxic events," said Knudson. "During high sea levels, dissolved iron from the flooded continental shelves can be transferred to the open ocean and promote intense phytoplankton growth in the surface waters."

Changes in ocean circulation - including intensified upwelling to bring more nutrients into the surface waters and stronger currents that could transfer iron from the continental shelf to the open ocean - likely play a critical role in triggering a hypoxic event, explained Knudson.

The sediment cores examined for the study were collected from a single site, which means the researchers do not know if the low-oxygen dead zones extended beyond the Bering Sea into other parts of the Pacific Ocean.

"We don't know how extensive they were, but we do know they were very intense and lasted longer than the deglaciation event that has been so well studied," said Professor Ravelo.

The findings raise new concerns about whether climate change and ocean warming will lead to a tipping point that will trigger widespread hypoxia in the North Pacific Ocean.

"The system is primed for this type of event happening," said Professor Ravelo. "We need to know how extensive they were, and we need to rethink how these events are triggered, because we now know that it doesn't take a huge perturbation. This study sets the stage for a lot of follow-up work."

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://advances.sciencemag.org/">Science Advances</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Warm climates linked to low-oxygen dead zones in the North Pacific

A new study from UC Santa Cruz has revealed that...

Oxygen levels are rapidly declining in the world's freshwater lakes. This trend, which is driven primarily by climate change, poses a threat to biodiversity and the quality of drinking <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/water-reservoirs-generate-much-higher-emissions-than-expected/">water</a>.
In lakes that were surveyed across the temperate zone, researchers found that oxygen levels have declined by 5.5 percent at the surface and by 18.6 percent in deep waters since 1980. 
Across some of the more nutrient-polluted lakes, the experts found that surface oxygen levels increased as water temperatures crossed a threshold favoring cyanobacteria.

"All complex life depends on oxygen. It's the support system for aquatic food webs. And when you start losing oxygen, you have the potential to lose species," said study co-author Professor Kevin Rose of the <a href="https://www.rpi.edu/">Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute</a>. "Lakes are losing oxygen 2.75 - 9.3 times faster than the oceans, a decline that will have impacts throughout the ecosystem."

The researchers analyzed more than 45,000 dissolved oxygen levels and temperature profiles that were collected from nearly 400 lakes worldwide. 

Study lead author Stephen F. Jane said the changes are concerning both for their potential impact on freshwater ecosystems and for what they suggest about environmental change in general.

"Lakes are indicators or 'sentinels' of environmental change and potential threats to the environment because they respond to signals from the surrounding landscape and atmosphere," said Jane.  

"We found that these disproportionally more biodiverse systems are changing rapidly, indicating the extent to which ongoing atmospheric changes have already impacted ecosystems."

The link between global warming and changing freshwater oxygen levels is controlled by mechanisms between surface water and deep water.

The study shows that as surface water temperatures increased by .38 degrees Centigrade per decade, dissolved oxygen concentrations declined by .11 milligrams per liter.

"Oxygen saturation, or the amount of oxygen that water can hold, goes down as temperatures go up. That's a known physical relationship and it explains most of the trend in surface oxygen that we see," said Professor Rose.

At the same time, some lakes experienced increasing dissolved oxygen concentrations as the temperature rose. According to the researchers, these lakes tended to be more polluted with nutrient-rich runoff from agricultural and developed watersheds and have high chlorophyll concentrations. 

"The fact that we're seeing increasing dissolved oxygen in those types of lakes is potentially an indicator of widespread increases in algal blooms, some of which produce toxins and are harmful," said Professor Rose. "Absent taxonomic data, however, we can't say that definitively, but nothing else we're aware of can explain this pattern."

In deeper waters, temperatures have remained largely stable. The loss of oxygen in this part of the lake follows a more complex path that is most likely tied to increasing surface water temperatures and a longer warm period each year. 

The combination of warming surface waters and stable deep-water temperatures means that the difference in density between these layers, known as "stratification," is increasing.

"The increase in stratification makes the mixing or renewal of oxygen from the atmosphere to deep waters more difficult and less frequent, and deep-water dissolved oxygen drops as a result," said Professor Rose. 

Some bacteria thrive in environments without oxygen, such as those that produce methane. This indicates that lakes have the potential to release more methane as they lose oxygen. 

"Ongoing research has shown that oxygen levels are declining rapidly in the world's oceans. This study now proves that the problem is even more severe in fresh waters, threatening our drinking water supplies and the delicate balance that enables complex freshwater ecosystems to thrive," said Dr. Curt Breneman. 

"We hope this finding brings greater urgency to efforts to address the progressively detrimental effects of climate change."

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/">Nature</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Lakes are losing oxygen much faster than oceans

Oxygen levels are rapidly declining in the world's freshwater lakes....

Many plants and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/animals-rarely-try-to-avoid-inbreeding/">animals</a> that are in need of conservation are still undiscovered or lumped in with similar species. In a study published by <a href="https://plos.org/">PLOS</a>, experts have developed a "return-on-investment" approach to best direct efforts to identify unknown species before they are lost. 

Humans have negatively impacted global biodiversity through many direct and indirect stressors including pollution, overexploitation, and habitat destruction. 

The results of the new study suggest that, due to the unknown number of undocumented species, the human impact on biodiversity may be even greater than what is realized.

In order to protect and preserve plants or animals, the organisms must first be identified and described by specialized scientists called taxonomists. However, with so many groups at risk, it is not simple to determine where taxonomists should focus their limited time and resources.

Led by Dr. Jane Melville of Museums Victoria, the researchers devised a method to determine which groups need taxonomic documentation to support conservation efforts. Their technique compares the human effort and cost of identifying and classifying a species with the likelihood of finding a previously unknown species that is at risk. 

The team applied the return-on-investment method to a highly diverse group of Australian lizards and snakes. Out of the 870 reptile species they analyzed, about one third were poorly classified, and 24 needed protection.

Across the world, there is a significant backlog of species awaiting description, and this is largely due to the lack of resources to undertake taxonomic projects. 

The current study provides a framework, which can be applied to almost any group, for taxonomists and wildlife managers to prioritize the organisms that are most in need of immediate taxonomic documentation. 

The researchers hope their approach will help to save more at-risk species before they silently go extinct.

"We can't put effort into conservation of a species if we don't know it exists," said Dr. Melville. "Taxonomy allows us to identify these species and put a name to them so we can act before they are lost. Describing these as new species will allow conservation assessments to be undertaken to ensure they can be protected."

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosbiology/">PLOS Biology</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Study aims to protect species before they secretly vanish

Many plants and animals that are in need of conservation...

In a new study from the <a href="https://www.exeter.ac.uk/">University of Exeter</a>, researchers have identified the key factors that influence the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC). This critical ocean current pattern carries warm water from the tropics northward.

"The Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC) is pivotal for regional and global climate due to its key role in the uptake and redistribution of heat and carbon," wrote the study authors.

"Establishing the causes of historical variability in AMOC strength on different timescales can tell us how the circulation may respond to natural and anthropogenic changes at the ocean surface."

Many scientists believe that heat transport through the AMOC is responsible for making some regions, including northwest Europe and the UK, warmer than they would be otherwise. Climate model simulations suggest that the AMOC could weaken in the coming decades, with widespread implications for regional and global climate.

In collaboration with experts at the University of Oxford, the Exeter team has managed to pinpoint the causes of monthly and annual AMOC variation.

The study was focused on observational data from large arrays of monitoring equipment off the coasts of Florida and Africa, and in the North Atlantic between Greenland and Scotland.

"Understanding AMOC variability is challenging because the circulation is influenced by multiple factors that all vary and whose overlapping impacts persist for years," explained study lead author Dr.  Yavor Kostov. "Our findings reveal the vital role of winds in driving changes in this ocean circulation."

"Winds were a key factor both in the sub-tropical and sub-polar locations we examined. As the climate continues to change, more efforts should be concentrated on monitoring those winds - especially in key regions on continental boundaries and the eastern coast of Greenland - and understanding what drives changes in them."

While AMOC variability off the southern United States was found to be dominated by wind variability, the combined effects of wind, heat, and freshwater anomalies were found to influence variability in the North Atlantic. 

"Our reconstruction suggests that, compared to the subtropics, the overturning circulation in the subpolar North Atlantic is more sensitive to changes in the background ocean state such as shifts in the sites of deep convection," said Dr. Kostov.

"This implies that future climate change may alter annual AMOC variability in this region. It emphasises the need for continued observations of the subpolar North Atlantic ocean."

The researchers also discovered that changes in the surface temperature and salinity near Canada and Greenland can trigger a delayed remote impact on the Atlantic circulation as far south as Florida.

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/ngeo/">Nature Geoscience</a>. 

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Atlantic Ocean circulation driven largely by winds

In a new study from the University of Exeter, researchers...

A team of scientists at the <a href="https://www.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/">University of Tokyo</a> has discovered how to turn food waste into robust construction materials that retain their edible nature. Pulverized banana peels, cabbage leaves, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/seaweed-supplements-reduce-livestock-methane-emissions/">seaweed</a> were used to create materials that have the strength of concrete.

Study senior author Yuya Sakai is a sustainable construction materials specialist and a professor in the Institute of Industrial Science at The University of Tokyo.

"Our goal was to use seaweed and common food scraps to construct materials that were at least as strong as concrete," said Professor Sakai. "But since we were using edible food waste, we were also interested in determining whether the recycling process impacted the flavor of the original materials."   

The experts tested out a heat-pressing technique that is used to compress wood powder into construction materials. In place of wood, the team pulverized a variety of vacuum-dried food waste items, including onion and banana peels.

According to the researchers, the processing technique involved mixing the food powder with water and seasonings, then pressing the mixture into a mold at high temperature.

"With the exception of the specimen derived from pumpkin, all of the materials exceeded our bending strength target," said study co-author Kota Machida. "We also found that Chinese cabbage leaves, which produced a material over three times stronger than concrete, could be mixed with the weaker pumpkin-based material to provide effective reinforcement."

The World Food Program estimates that one-third of the world's food is wasted every year, valued at $1 trillion. With this in mind, the researchers said it is crucial for develop methods for recycling food waste. 

The experts noted that since the new materials are strong enough for construction projects yet still edible, there could be a number of creative applications to come from this research.

The study is published by <a href="https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/browse/jsms">The Society of Materials Science</a> of Japan. 

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Food waste can be recycled into construction materials

A team of scientists at the University of Tokyo has...

In a new study from <a href="https://wsu.edu/">Washington State University</a>, experts report that greenhouse gas <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ghost-forests-release-greenhouse-gas-emissions-in-tree-farts/">emissions</a> from the world's water reservoirs are around 29 percent higher than previously estimated. 

Much of this increase in emissions is tied to a process where methane passes through a dam and bubbles up downstream, known as methane degassing. 

In collaboration with the University of Quebec at Montreal, the researchers found that water reservoirs are producing the equivalent of 1.07 gigatons of carbon dioxide in greenhouse gases each year. This figure is larger than the annual emissions from the entire country of Germany.

In addition to methane degassing, the researchers considered numerous other variables such as water temperature, water depth, and the amount of sediment entering into thousands of different reservoirs located around the world. 

"While a number of papers have pointed out the importance of aquatic systems as sources of methane to the atmosphere, this is the first paper that I know of to look explicitly at which kinds of reservoirs are big sources and why," said study lead author Professor John Harrison. 

"It gives us the ability to start working toward understanding what we could do about methane emissions from these types of systems."

The production of methane is fueled by decomposing plant matter near the bottom of reservoirs. This greenhouse gas is 34 times more potent than carbon dioxide over the course of a century.

Professor Harrison and colleagues determined that methane degassing accounts for roughly 40 percent of overall emissions from water reservoirs. The team's estimates of carbon dioxide emissions were found to be similar to those in previous reports. 

The study showed that the highest rates of greenhouse gas emissions from reservoirs occur in the tropics and subtropics, which is also where the majority of ongoing and planned new reservoir construction projects are taking place.

According to the experts, it may be possible to reduce methane emissions from reservoirs by selectively withdrawing water from near the surface rather than from greater depths, where methane often accumulates.

In a related study, a simulated decrease in water withdrawal depth by as little as 3 meters yielded a 92 percent reduction in methane degassing emissions from a Malaysian reservoir.

"We aren't saying that reservoirs are necessarily bad. Many provide important services like electrical power, flood control, navigation and water," said Professor Harrison. "Rather, we want to bring attention to a source of greenhouse gas emissions that we think can be reduced in the years ahead as we work towards carbon neutral emissions."

The research has helped lead the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change to recognize water reservoirs as an integral part of each country's overall emissions.

"We're interested in using this work to improve these models and global estimates," said Professor Harrison. "One end goal of this work is to improve our ability to estimate the amount of greenhouse gases coming from reservoirs on a per country basis so that countries can address this source and include it in the way that they are managing their greenhouse gas liabilities."

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/19449224">Global Biogeochemical Cycles</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Water reservoirs generate much higher emissions than expected

In a new study from Washington State University, experts report...

Three to four billion years ago, a young Earth was heated up by extremely high atmospheric <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tropical-trees-with-thick-leaves-may-thrive-in-higher-co2-conditions/">CO2 levels</a>, according to a new study from the <a href="https://portal.uni-koeln.de/en/sub/uoc-home">University of Cologne</a>. The greenhouse gas effect may also explain why ocean temperatures were high at this time. 

Despite the fact that the sun shone on the young Earth with only 70 to 80 percent of its current intensity, the climate must have been quite warm because there was hardly any glacial ice. This phenomenon is referred to as the "paradox of the young weak Sun." 

If it was not for the presence of a potent heat-trapping greenhouse gas, the young planet would have frozen into a lump of ice. But whether it was CO2, methane, or an entirely different greenhouse gas is a matter of debate among scientists. The new research suggests that high CO2 levels are a plausible explanation.

A long-standing question in Earth science concerns the temperatures of the early oceans. Measurements of oxygen isotopes on very old limestone rocks indicate that seawater temperatures exceeded 70 degrees Celsius. Model simulations in the new study show that high CO2 levels in the atmosphere may be responsible for heating up the oceans.

"High CO2 levels would thus explain two phenomena at once: first, the warm climate on Earth, and second, why geothermometers appear to show hot seawater. Taking into account the different oxygen isotope ratio of seawater, we would arrive at temperatures closer to 40°C," said Dr. Daniel Herwartz. 

It is also possible that there was also a lot of methane in the young Earth's atmosphere, but this would not have had any effect on the composition of the ocean. "Both phenomena can only be explained by high levels of CO2," said Dr. Herwartz. 

The study authors estimate the total amount of CO2 to have totalled approximately one bar, or the equivalent of today's entire atmosphere being filled with CO2.

"Today, CO2 is just a trace gas in the atmosphere. Compared to that, one bar sounds like an absurdly large amount. However, looking at our sister planet Venus with its approximately 90 bar of CO2 puts things into perspective," explained Andreas Pack from the University of Göttingen.

On our planet, CO2 was eventually removed from the atmosphere and the ocean and stored in the form of coal, oil, gas, limestone, and black shales. Since early Earth was largely covered by oceans, the storage capacity for carbon was limited. 

"That also explains the enormous CO2 levels of the young Earth from today's perspective. After all, roughly three billion years ago, plate tectonics and the development of land masses in which carbon could be stored over a long period of time was just picking up speed," explained Thorsten Nagel from Aarhus University.

The onset of plate tectonics changed everything for the carbon cycle. Large land masses with mountains provided faster silicate weathering, which converted CO2 into limestone. Carbon also became trapped in the Earth's mantle as oceanic plates were subducted. 

Plate tectonics caused the CO2 content of the atmosphere to drop sharply, and repeated ice ages show that Earth became significantly colder. 

"Earlier studies had already indicated that the limestone contents in ancient basalts point to a sharp drop in atmospheric CO2 levels. This fits well with an increase in oxygen isotopes at the same time," explained Dr. Herwartz.

"Everything indicates that the atmospheric CO2 content declined rapidly after the onset of plate tectonics." In this context, however, "rapidly" refers to several hundred million years.

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.pnas.org/">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.

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By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Young Earth was heated by extreme levels of atmospheric CO2

Three to four billion years ago, a young Earth was...

More than a third of all heat-related deaths between 1991 and 2018 are tied to anthropogenic climate change, according to a new study led by the <a href="https://www.lshtm.ac.uk/">London School of Hygiene &amp; Tropical Medicine</a> (LSHTM). The researchers found that Central and South America have been the hardest hit regions. 

The study, which was focused on data from 732 locations in 43 countries, reveals for the first time the contribution of human-induced climate change to heat-related mortality rates. 

Overall, the researchers determined that 37 percent of all heat-related deaths during recent summer periods were linked to global warming. The percentages were highest in Central and South America. For example, up to 76 percent of heat-related deaths were tied to anthropogenic warming in Ecuador and Colombia.

"We expect the proportion of heat-related deaths to continue to grow if we don't do something about climate change or adapt. So far, the average global temperature has only increased by about 1°C, which is a fraction of what we could face if emissions continue to grow unchecked," said study first author Dr. Ana M. Vicedo-Cabrera from the University of Bern.

The experts calculated the number of heat-related deaths from human-induced climate change that occurred in specific cities. These estimates include 136 additional deaths per year in Santiago de Chile, 189 in Athens, 172 in Rome, 156 in Tokyo, 177 in Madrid, 146 in Bangkok, 82 in London, 141 in New York, and 137 in Ho Chi Minh City. 

According to the researchers, their findings are further evidence of the need to adopt strong mitigation policies to reduce future warming, and to implement interventions to protect populations from the adverse consequences of heat exposure.

The team used a "detection &amp; attribution" study, examining past weather conditions simulated under scenarios with and without anthropogenic emissions. This made it possible to distinguish between heat-related deaths linked to human activities, and those linked to natural trends. 

"This is the largest detection &amp; attribution study on current health risks of climate change," said study senior author Professor Antonio Gasparrini. "The message is clear: climate change will not just have devastating impacts in the future, but every continent is already experiencing the dire consequences of human activities on our planet. We must act now."

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/nclimate/">Nature Climate Change</a>.

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By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

One in three heat-related deaths tied to global warming

More than a third of all heat-related deaths between 1991...

Galapagos,Islands.,Galapagos,Tortoise.,Big,Turtle.,Ecuador.

A new study from the <a href="https://www.exeter.ac.uk/">University of Exeter</a> has shown that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microplastics-found-in-the-remote-vatnajokull-glacier/">plastic</a> pollution has invaded nearly every marine habitat examined in the Galapagos Islands. Microplastics were found in all of the invertebrate species tested, and in all of the seabed and seawater samples.

Study lead author Dr. Jen Jones said the research highlights how far plastic pollution travels, and how it contaminates every part of marine ecosystems.

"Given the level of pollution we have found in this remote location, it's clear that plastic pollution needs to stop at source. You can't fix the problem just by cleaning beaches," said Dr. Jones. 

In collaboration with the Galapagos Conservation Trust (GCT), the researchers focused their investigation on San Cristobal, where Charles Darwin first landed in Galapagos. 

Across the most polluted areas, including a beach used by the rare "Godzilla" marine iguana, more than 400 plastic particles were found per square meter of beach. 

The findings suggest that most of the plastic pollution in Galapagos arrives from elsewhere on ocean currents.

"The pristine image of Galapagos might give the impression that the islands are somehow protected from plastic pollution, but our study clearly shows that's not the case," said study co-author Dr. Ceri Lewis of Exeter's Global Systems Institute.

"The highest levels of plastic we found were on east-facing beaches, which are exposed to pollution carried across the eastern Pacific on the Humboldt Current."

"These east-facing beaches include Punta Pitt, a highly polluted site that is home to Godzilla marine iguanas which - like so much Galapagos wildlife - are found nowhere else in the world."

"There are less than 500 Godzilla marine iguanas in existence, and it's concerning that they are living alongside this high level of plastic pollution."

Dr. Jones noted that the potential health effects of plastic ingestion on marine animals are largely unknown, and more research is needed. "These animals are a crucial part of food webs that support the larger species that famously live on and around the Galapagos Islands," she said. 

All seven marine invertebrate species examined for the study were found to contain microplastics. Overall, 52 percent of the 123 individuals tested had ingested plastic.

Of the larger plastic pieces, only two percent were identified as coming from the Galapagos Islands. These "macroplastics," which are items and fragments larger than five millimeters, were found at 13 of 14 sandy beaches studied, with 4,610 items collected in total.

Furthermore, the study revealed that significant amounts of plastic have accumulated in key habitats including rocky lava shores and mangroves.

Based on the IUCN conservation status of each particular Galapagos species, and also based on where each species can be found across the islands, the experts identified 27 species in need of urgent monitoring and mitigation.

"This situation is only going to get worse if we don't dramatically change our use of plastics," said study co-author Dr. David Santillo.

The experts have also identified marine vertebrates in the Galapagos that have the highest risk of swallowing plastic or getting entangled, including scalloped hammerheads, whale sharks, sea lions, and sea turtles.

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.journals.elsevier.com/science-of-the-total-environment">Science of the Total Environment</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Plastics are accumulating in nearly every habitat of Galapagos

A new study from the University of Exeter has shown...

Smoke particles preserved in the ice core record show that more fires were burning in the Southern Hemisphere during pre-industrial times than previously thought. The discovery modifies our understanding of the heat-trapping effects of greenhouse gas emissions and of future global warming. 

Study first author Pengfei Liu is a former graduate student and postdoctoral fellow at the <a href="https://www.seas.harvard.edu/">Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences</a> (SEAS).

"Up until now, the magnitude of past fire activity, and thus the amount of smoke in the preindustrial atmosphere, has not been well characterized," said Liu. 

"These results have importance for understanding the evolution of climate change from the 1750s until today, and for predicting future climate."

When it comes to predicting future climate change, one of the biggest uncertainties is how fast surface temperatures will rise in response to greenhouse gases. Forecasting these temperatures involves the calculation of competing warming and cooling effects in the atmosphere. 

Heat-trapping greenhouse gases trigger global warming, while aerosols from volcanoes and fires block the sunlight and cool the planet. To validate today's climate models, scientists rely on estimates of these heating and cooling effects. However, the amount of smoke aerosols in the pre-industrial atmosphere is not well documented. 

To model smoke in the pre-industrial Southern Hemisphere, the researchers focused on Antarctica, where smoke particles emitted from fires in Australia, Africa, and South America remain trapped in the ice.  

Study co-authors Joseph McConnell and Nathan Chellman are ice core scientists at the Desert Research Institute in Nevada. They measured soot, a key component of smoke, deposited in 14 ice cores from across the continent.

"Soot deposited in glacier ice directly reflects past atmospheric concentrations so well-dated ice cores provide the most reliable long-term records," said McConnell.

According to study senior author Loretta Mickley, what the experts found in the ice core record was unexpected. "While most studies have assumed less fire took place in the pre-industrial era, the ice cores suggested a much fierier past, at least in the Southern Hemisphere."

To account for the levels of smoke estimated from the ice cores, the researchers ran computer simulations including wildfires and the burning practices of Indigenous people.

"The computer simulations of fire show that the atmosphere of the Southern Hemisphere could have been very smoky in the century before the Industrial Revolution," explained study co-author Professor Jed Kaplan.

"Soot concentrations in the atmosphere were up to four times greater than previous studies suggested. Most of this was caused by widespread and regular burning practiced by Indigenous peoples in the pre-colonial period."

This idea is supported by the ice core records, which show that soot was abundant before the start of the industrial era and has remained relatively constant through the 20th century. The results of computer simulations suggest that emissions from industry increased as land use changes decreased fire activity.

The findings indicate that climate models have overestimated the warming effect of greenhouse gas emissions by underestimating the cooling effect of smoke particles in pre-industrial times. 

"Climate scientists have known that the most recent generation of climate models have been overestimating surface temperature sensitivity to greenhouse gasses, but we haven't known why or by how much," said Liu. "This research offers a possible explanation."

"Clearly the world is warming but the key question is how fast will it warm as greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise. This research allows us to refine our predictions moving forward," said Mickley.

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://advances.sciencemag.org/">Science Advances</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Earth's fiery past revealed in ice core record

Smoke particles preserved in the ice core record show that...

River otters in Brazil use a complex range of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dogs-appear-to-get-jealous-over-their-owners-affection/">vocalizations</a> to communicate, according to a new study published by <a href="https://plos.org/">PLOS</a>. The researchers identified six clearly distinguishable call types at frequencies ranging from 90 to 2500 Hz.

Among 13 species of otters, some are completely solitary while others are highly sociable. The giant otter is known to use a complex collection of vocalizations., but the social calls of the other species have remained largely unknown. 

"Most aquatic mammals have complex social and communication systems. Interestingly, little is known about otters’ vocal communication compared to other aquatic mammals," wrote the study authors. 

"Here, for the first time, we acoustically describe vocalizations of the neotropical otter (Lontra longicaudis), a solitary and endangered New World otter species."

For their investigation, the researchers observed the behavior of six captive river otters on Santa Catarina Island in Brazil. Overall, they analyzed nearly 1,000 calls.

"We used 422 high-quality recorded calls, along with 990 call occurrences including behavioral context to establish the vocal repertoire of the neotropical river otter," wrote the study authors. "The vocal repertoire was classified into six call types: chirps, squeaks, chuckles, growls, hahs and screams."

The calls identified by the experts, as well as the range of frequencies, were found to be used in different social contexts. For example, high-frequency chirps and low-frequency chuckles were primarily used by males to reaffirm social bonds or to beg for food.

Females often produced low-amplitude squeaks during social grooming, and "hahs" to express alarm or surprise at a new object. They also used high-frequency screams to complain, both during play and in more aggressive contexts. 

Both males and females frequently used low-pitch growls in disputes over food or individual space.

According to the study authors, a better understanding of the vocalizations of neotropical river otters could enable conservationists to make use of acoustic recordings to monitor this elusive endangered species.

"The neotropical river otter has a rich vocal repertoire, with at least six distinct call types, similar in complexity to other solitary otter species but less complex than that of the social giant otter. Despite differences in sociality, phylogeny and ecology, L. longicaudis seems to possess vocalizations homologous to those found in other otters (e.g. hah and chirp), suggesting phylogenetic inertia in the otter communicative repertoire."

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/">PLOS ONE</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Neotropical river otters use complex vocalizations

River otters in Brazil use a complex range of vocalizations...

Scientists are transforming chocolate into a functional food by infusing it with probiotics and prebiotics, aiming to create a treat that satisfies cravings while supporting gut health. 



The challenge lies in maintaining chocolate's beloved texture and flavor while adding health benefits.



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Probiotics - beneficial microbes that balance gut bacteria and aid digestion - are typically fragile and can be destroyed by stomach acid or processing. 



Prebiotics act as food for these microbes, helping them thrive. Together, they form "synbiotics," a powerful health combination.



Researchers Smriti Gaur and Shubhi Singh from India's Jaypee Institute of Information Technology took an innovative approach, using natural prebiotics like corn and honey instead of complex processing methods. 



They created five chocolate varieties: a control and four synbiotic versions containing different combinations of prebiotics, probiotics (Lactobacillus strains), and flavor enhancers (cinnamon or orange).



Laboratory simulations of human digestion showed the probiotics remained viable for over five hours, suggesting they could survive long enough to benefit gut health.



Taste tests were positive, with researchers particularly enjoying the orange-flavored variety, describing it as having "vibrant citrus notes" complementing the "rich cocoa" with a "luxurious" texture.



This research represents just the beginning. With further refinement of strains, textures, and flavors, chocolate could evolve beyond mere indulgence to become a functional food that nourishes while it delights.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsfoodscitech.4c00741" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ACS Food Science &amp; Technology</a>.

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

Scientists are transforming chocolate into a functional food by infusing...

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Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.igb.illinois.edu/">Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology</a> reveals how scientists can modify common crops like soybean, rice, and wheat to protect them from heat stress.



“We need to double crop production by 2050 to feed a growing global population, and not only are we not on track to do that, but climate change is further complicating things,” said Amanda Cavanagh, a lecturer at the University of Essex. 



The study is part of Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE), an international research project that aims to develop food crops that turn the sun’s energy into food more efficiently.



“Using an engineering approach we designed multiple alternative metabolic pathways to photorespiration. Testing them in the field showed increases in productivity which led Amanda to significantly move the project forward by showing our engineered plants can withstand pretty extreme temperature stress,” said study co-author and RIPE researcher Paul South.&nbsp;



“As the climate changes and temperature stresses increase the pressure on our global food supply, farmers will need every tool available including engineering approaches like the synthetic biology used here to maintain safe and productive harvests.”



The experts tested plants modified to have more efficient photorespiration to see if they were better adapted to warmer temperatures.&nbsp;



The team found that the engineered plants produced 26 percent more biomass than the wild-type plants exposed to the same temperatures, and had 15 percent less yield loss under the higher temperatures.



Video Credit: Amanda Nguyen/University of Illinois



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Designing crops that can beat the heat

[sendtonews key="QGPzYnXEtN-1712599-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from Carl...

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Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> describes the first comprehensive estimate of carbon density in the Saharan, Sahel, and Sudanian zones of Africa. In an effort to measure the amount of carbon stored across these drylands, a team of scientists used high-resolution satellite images and artificial intelligence to map nearly 10 billion individual trees. 



"The high spatial resolution (50 cm) combined with AI and field measurements used in this study is key to improving tree inventories in drylands," said Pierre Hiernaux, a French researcher working for NASA. "The ever-increasing availability of very high-resolution satellite imagery will make it possible to assess carbon pools and their dynamics at the individual tree level on a global scale."



"This study is exceptional because it is pioneering a type of approach that will revolutionize the monitoring of trees and forests on a global scale: in the short term, it will be possible to map the world's trees from the centre of the Amazon to our schoolyards," said <a href="https://www.inrae.fr/en">INRAE</a> researcher Jean-Pierre Wigneron.



"Many fields of application will become much more efficient and accurate, such as tracking carbon stocks, biodiversity, monitoring logging and protection against illegal forest degradation, in near real time.”



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Remote sensing will revolutionize the way we monitor trees

[sendtonews key="EjmSP20gQK-2593093-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from NASA...

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Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky" Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features northwest Lesotho in South Africa.



According to ESA, Lesotho is the only nation in the world that lies completely above 1,000 m in elevation. The country is famous for its tall mountains and narrow valleys, and is known as Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky."



Out of a population of around two million people, about 80 percent live in rural areas. More than 75 percent of these people are engaged in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-will-have-a-global-impact-on-agriculture/">agriculture</a>, including rainfed cereal production and animal grazing.&nbsp;



ESA reports that the country’s agricultural system faces a growing number of issues, with climate-related vulnerabilities such as drought, floods and extreme temperatures occurring more frequently. 



Diamonds are amongst the minerals found in the mountains. Indeed, Lesotho can truly be called the Kingdom in the Sky. Beautiful, culturally rich, safe, affordable, and easily accessible from Durban and Johannesburg, mountainous Lesotho is a vastly underrated travel destination. the Kingdom of Lesotho (Sotho: 'Muso oa Lesotho) is an enclaved country in southern Africa. It is just over 30,000 km2 (11,583 sq mi) in size and has a population of around 2 million.



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer 



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

[sendtonews key="uV9Lh2fQbV-1760058-12187" type="single"] Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky" Today’s...

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Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> features a visual dataset of.methane emissions from wetlands across the globe. Atmospheric methane levels have reached record highs in recent years, and wetlands are a major source of these emissions.&nbsp;



"Methane is an important greenhouse gas that contributes substantially to global warming. On a molecule by molecule basis, methane is much more efficient at trapping heat than carbon dioxide, the main driver of warming," says NASA.



"Though human activities, including agriculture, oil and natural gas production and use, and waste disposal, collectively contribute the majority of methane to the atmosphere, about a third of total methane emissions comes from wetlands."&nbsp;



According to NASA, understanding methane emissions from wetlands and other natural sources is critically important for scientists and policymakers who are working to combat climate change by reducing emissions from human activities.



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Wetlands are a major source of methane emissions

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Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> reveals the evolution of the Columbia Glacier in southeastern Alaska. Columbia is among the fastest shrinking glaciers in the world, and the video documents its rapid retreat over the years.&nbsp;



Columbia Glacier is a large, multi-branched calving glacier that flows out of the Chugach Mountains to the Prince William Sound.&nbsp;



According to USGS, Columbia had a long history of stability prior to 1980, with a length 41 miles, and small, short-lived advances or retreats.



In the years since 1980, however, satellite images have captured Columbia’s alarming retreat. By using false-color images, scientists can distinguish between snow and ice, open water, vegetation, and rocky debris on the glacier’s surface.



The series of false-color images featured in today's video were acquired over the span of 35 years. You can see that by 2021, the glacier’s main branch had retreated about 15 miles from its initial position.



The Columbia Glacier has also lost more than 50 percent of its volume, mostly due to calving. <a href="https://www.earth.com/video/nasa-reveals-3d-visual-of-an-atmospheric-river/">NASA</a> reports that while climate change likely started the retreat, mechanical processes kept the disintegration going.



The NASA images are provided by Jesse Allen, Robert Simmon, Joshua Stevens, and Lauren Dauphin using data from Landsat satellites, from the U.S. Geological Survey, and data from MODIS on NASA’s Terra satellite. The structure of Columbia’s moraine played a large role in the stability of the glacier before 1980. 



Like other tidewater glaciers, the Columbia built up a moraine over time, and the mixture of ice and rock functioned like a dam keeping out the sea. It was supported on one end by the shoreline and by the underwater terminal moraine at the other.



Video Credit: NASA Earth Observatory/&nbsp; NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> describes how record-breaking heat expressed itself around the world in 2022.



Scientists have determined that 2022 was the 5th warmest year since 1880. Furthermore, the last nine consecutive years have been the warmest on record.



From devastating floods and wildfires to natural disasters like Hurricane Ian, 2022 showed us yet again how a warming climate affects people across the globe.&nbsp;



"As we look back at 20:22 and years past, we see that each year we better understand the challenges we face and how important it is to meet them," says NASA.



Video/ Image Credit: NASA Goddard



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

2022 illustrated the consequences of a warming climate

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Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> describes Earth’s interconnected systems, and how this network is affected by rising temperatures.&nbsp;



During 2020, average global temperatures matched the hottest year on record. The hurricane season was also record-breaking, with many of the storms intensifying at extraordinary speeds. Hot water in the ocean is fuel for hurricanes. The satellite data shows that it's all one interconnected system showing how Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected.



According to NASA, dust swept up from Northern Africa plays a major role in the formation of hurricanes, and is also a key source of fertilization in the Amazon rainforest. As a result of<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/seagrass-wasting-disease-is-fueled-by-climate-change/"> climate</a> change, dust plumes are expected to decline, which will have an effect on vegetation far away.&nbsp;



Images from Earth-observing satellites show how the world’s plant life is affected by natural disasters, fires, and deforestation. Satellites also reveal how widespread changes in vegetation impact waterways,&nbsp; the climate, air quality. Satellites communicate by using radio waves to send signals to the antennas on the Earth. "Earth From Space" is a groundbreaking two-hour special that reveals a spectacular new space-based vision of our planet. 



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

[sendtonews key="JbW4VsY53O-1632195-12187" type="single"] Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected...

Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://welcome.miami.edu/">University of Miami</a> Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science explores how changes in water temperatures have affected tiger shark habitats and movements in the North Atlantic Ocean. The study reveals that rising temperatures have caused the sharks to shift toward the poles over the past 40 years.



“Tiger shark annual migrations have expanded poleward, paralleling rising water temperatures,” explained study lead author Neil Hammerschlag. “These results have consequences for tiger shark conservation, since shifts in their movements outside of marine protected areas may leave them more vulnerable to commercial fishing.”



The researchers analyzed nine years of tracking data from satellite-tagged tiger sharks, combined with four decades of conventional tag and recapture data provided by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Cooperative Shark Tagging Program.



The experts found that during the last decade of record heat, for every one-degree Celsius increase in water temperatures, tiger sharks migrated further poleward by over 400 kilometers. They also migrated two weeks earlier than usual to waters off the northeastern coast of the United States.



“Given their role as apex predators, these changes to tiger shark movements may alter predator-prey interactions, leading to ecological imbalances, and more frequent encounters with humans,” concluded Professor Hammerschlag.



Video Credit: University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

Today’s Video of the Day from the University of Miami...

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> is focused on the melt ponds that emerge during the spring and summer on the Greenland Ice Sheet, which is the largest ice mass in the northern hemisphere.



"Melt ponds are vast pools of open water that form on both sea ice and ice sheets and are visible as turquoise-blue pools of water in this Copernicus Sentinel-2 image," says ESA.



"When snow and ice melts atop glaciers, water flows in channels and streams and collects in depressions on the surface. These melt ponds can speed up the melting of the surrounding ice since they greatly reduce the ice’s ability to reflect sunlight."



"This can create a positive feedback where an increasing number of melt ponds absorb more heat which causes ice cover to melt even faster."



According to ESA, Greenland has been hit with a late-season heatwave that began in early September. This caused the type of melt event that usually occurs in the middle of summer.



"In a recent paper published in Nature Climate Change, scientists found that major sea-level rise from the melting of the Greenland ice cap is now ‘inevitable’ even if the burning of fossil fuels were to halt overnight," says ESA. "Using satellite observations of Greenland ice loss and ice cap from 2000 to 2019, the team found the losses will lead to a minimum rise of 27 cm regardless of climate change."



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> describes how Earth is unique in our solar system for its ability to sustain liquid water on its surface. But now, the water cycle is shifting as the climate warms, and scientists must find ways to predict how these changes will affect water availability.



Overall, 96 percent of Earth's water is saltwater, and nearly all of freshwater is found in ice and groundwater. These sources of water are linked as it passes through solid, liquid and gas phases.



In a warmer climate, the water cycle will be transformed. It will be easier for water to evaporate and form clouds, and storms will become more frequent and intense. Some regions will get too much water, while others will be left without enough water. In addition, soil moisture will be lost - which threatens food security.



Scientists are using satellite data from over the last 40 years to track changes that are happening in the water cycle. This will ultimately help us prepare for extreme events and better manage our water resources, according to ESA.



Video Credit: ESA



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Tracking changes in Earth's water cycle

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Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard Space Flight Center</a> features images of Saturn from NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope. The photographs capture the start of the mysterious "spoke season" on Saturn - when unexplained features appear on its rings. 



According to NASA, both the cause of the spokes and their seasonal variability have yet to be fully explained by planetary scientists.



"Like Earth, Saturn is tilted on its axis and therefore has four seasons, though because of Saturn's much larger orbit, each season lasts approximately seven Earth years. Equinox occurs when the rings are tilted edge-on to the Sun," explains NASA.



"The spokes disappear when it is near summer or winter solstice on Saturn. (When the Sun appears to reach either its highest or lowest latitude in the northern or southern hemisphere of a planet.) As the autumnal equinox of Saturn's northern hemisphere on May 6, 2025, draws near, the spokes are expected to become increasingly prominent and observable."



Experts believe that the spokes may be a product of the planet's variable magnetic field. When magnetic fields interact with solar wind, an electrically charged environment is created. This phenomenon is visible on Earth as the northern lights.&nbsp;



"Scientists think that the smallest, dust-sized icy ring particles can become charged as well, which temporarily levitates those particles above the rest of the larger icy particles and boulders in the rings," says NASA.



The spokes were first observed in the early 1980s by NASA's Voyager mission. Depending on the angle of the rings, the spokes can appear dark or light.



"Thanks to Hubble's OPAL program, which is building an archive of data on the outer solar system planets, we will have longer dedicated time to study Saturn’s spokes this season than ever before," said NASA senior planetary scientist Amy Simon, head of the Hubble Outer Planet Atmospheres Legacy (OPAL) program.



"Despite years of excellent observations by the Cassini mission, the precise beginning and duration of the spoke season is still unpredictable, rather like predicting the first storm during hurricane season."



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Mysterious "spoke season" captured on Saturn

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Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="http://www.ntu.edu.sg/">NTU Singapore</a> reveals that some plants can remove toxic heavy metals from soil.&nbsp;



The researchers analyzed samples of various tropical plant species to test for levels of heavy metals and metalloids. The study showed that there are existing plants with high levels of these contaminants, which means that these species are great candidates for drawing pollutants out of the soil.&nbsp;



Among the plants examined in the study, 12 species had accumulated several types of heavy metals and metalloids. These plants are widely available, including species that are native to Singapore.



“In a small nation like Singapore, land may be repurposed to support new development plans, so it is important that we have a green and sustainable way to remediate land that is contaminated," said Professor Lam Yeng Ming.



"We set out to uncover how to better make use of tropical plants to do phytoremediation and through advanced characterization techniques, we showed how some of these tropical plant species can be an environmentally friendly and literally a 'green' way to remove contaminants in soil."&nbsp;



"Phytoremediation also has benefits of cost effectiveness, simplicity of management, aesthetic advantages, and long-term applicability and sustainability. The strategy prevents erosion and metal leaching by stabilizing or accumulating heavy metals, so that helps reduce the risk of contaminant spread.”



Video Credit: NTU Singapore



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Plants help remove heavy metals from contaminated soil

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.acs.org/">American Chemical Society</a> describes why herbicides are not as effective in killing weeds anymore. In the 20th century, chemical companies developed thousands of herbicides. The most commonly used herbicide was glyphosate, which was introduced in 1974.



Over the past few decades, dozens of species of weeds have evolved resistance to glyphosate. Depending on the site of action, the part of the plant that an herbicide interacts with, weeds may even be resistant to herbicides that have not been developed yet.&nbsp;



With increasing resistance to glyphosate and other herbicides, weeds are - once again - becoming a major concern for farmers.&nbsp;



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Weeds are becoming increasingly resistant to herbicides

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/">NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory</a> (JPL) describes a dust storm on Mars that was nearly twice the size of the United States. As the storm covered the southern hemisphere of the planet, some of NASA’s explorers had to delay their normal activities.



NASA’s Insight lander put itself in a "safe mode" for 11 days to conserve battery power because solar power was disrupted by the dust. The Ingenuity Mars Helicopter postponed flights until conditions improved.



"A fleet of NASA orbiters monitor Martian dust storms like this one and serve as lifelines to Earth by relaying data from the rovers and lander on the ground back to the team. This includes the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, MAVEN, and Odyssey," reports JPL.



"Dust storms like this recent one start close to the ground and are spread by wind as they rise – warming the cold Martian atmosphere."



The images in the video were captured by NASA’s Curiosity as the dust rolled in. A fleet of orbiters monitored the dust storm from above, relaying data from Mars’ explorers back to scientists on Earth.



Video &amp; Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/MSSS



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

NASA monitors giant dust storms on Mars

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="http://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz. This strait provides the only sea passage from the Persian Gulf to the open ocean.



Qeshm is separated from the Iranian coast by the Clarence Strait, also known as Khuran.&nbsp;The Hara Forest Protected Area is a network of shallow waterways and forest located between the island and the mainland. This protected region is home to sea turtles, snakes, and more than 150 species of migrating birds.



Qeshm is famous for its wide range of&nbsp;ecotourist&nbsp;attractions, such as the&nbsp;Hara marine forests. According to environmentalists, about 1.5 percent of the world birds and 25 percent of Iran's native <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/female-hummingbirds-avoid-sexual-harassment-by-looking-like-males/">birds</a> annually migrate to the forests, which are the first national geo park in Iran.



Tourists are also drawn to the island to see an age-old Portuguese&nbsp;fort, historic mosques, the&nbsp;Seyyed Mozaffar&nbsp;and&nbsp;Bibi Maryam&nbsp;shrines, and the "Valley of Stars."



The average temperature on the island is 81 degress and the region is often hot and humid. From June to August, the island is described as being oppressively hot. The ideal time to visit is during the winter season. 



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Inhambane Bay in southeast Mozambique.&nbsp;



"Inhambane Bay is a deep inlet into which the small Mutamba River flows," says ESA. "On one side of the bay lies the historical city of Inhambane, capital of the Inhambane Province, while the sister city of Maxixe, the economic capital of Inhambane, sits across from it. The province is the second largest grower of cashews, after Nampula, and it also produces coconut and citrus fruits."



The beaches of Barra and Tofo are popular with tourists. There are also coral reefs along the long coastline of Inhambane, making it an ideal destination for scuba diving and snorkeling.



"Mozambique’s extensive coastline heightens the country’s vulnerability to tropical cyclones that develop in the Indian Ocean as well as storm surge flooding," says ESA.



"More than half of the population lives in low lying coastal areas, putting communities at risk. Inhambane Bay was dangerously close to where Cyclone Idai made landfall in 2019 causing widespread destruction to the country."



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Inhambane Bay in southeast Mozambique

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency </a>&nbsp;features the Kangerlussuaq Glacier, one of the largest tidewater outlet glaciers in Greenland. The glacier is located on the east coast of the Greenland ice sheet.



As human-induced climate change continues to drive up temperatures, global ice loss is accelerating at an alarming rate. ESA reports that, over the past decade alone, 3.5 trillion tons of ice have melted from the Greenland ice sheet. This is enough to cover the UK with meltwater 15 meters deep.



Based on satellite imagery, researchers determined that Kangerlussuaq entered a new phase of rapid retreat and acceleration in 2017. In their study, published in <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feart.2019.00123/full">Frontiers in Earth Science</a>,&nbsp; the experts report that the glacier's ice front is now at its most retreated position since the early 20th century.



"Given Kangerlussuaq’s previous impacts on both the magnitude and pattern of ice sheet wide mass loss, we predict that its new phase of retreat, acceleration and thinning will markedly enhance the south-east region’s contribution to increasing discharge from the ice sheet," wrote the study authors.&nbsp;&nbsp;



"More broadly, accurate forecasting of the ice sheet’s contribution to sea level rise will require a deeper understanding of, and responses to, these non-linear ice dynamic processes."



Video Credit: ESA



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Kangerlussuaq Glacier on the Greenland ice sheet

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> describes the complex relationship between ocean and climate. ESA's Climate Change Initiative will help us understand how oceans influence the climate and how climate change is impacting the oceans.&nbsp;



"Earth’s oceans are huge heat stores, soaking up 93% of the excess heat from human activity over the past 70 years. Ocean currents redistribute heat around the planet, from the Equator to the poles. Where this ocean heat goes influences weather patterns and regional climate," explains ESA.



"As well as absorbing heat, oceans are a natural carbon sink, absorbing a quarter of carbon dioxide emissions from human activity. This has led to the acidification of ocean water, threating marine life."



The amount of heat and carbon dioxide soaked up by the ocean depends on specific variables, including phytoplankton, temperatures, waves, salinity, and ice cover. Satellites can be used to measure these variables from space.



"From their unique vantage point, satellites provide key information for understanding the complexities of our planet and monitoring environmental issues," says ESA.



Video Credit: ESA



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Ocean heat influences regional climate

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> describes the importance of monitoring the shape of the sea surface, which is constantly changing. These observations have many applications, such as ship routing, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-modem-ocean-is-a-tough-place-for-whales-to-survive/">ocean</a> current forecasting, and debris tracking.



"A project supported by the Discovery element of ESA’s Basic Activities recently investigated a new technique to measure sea surface topography very precisely," reports ESA.



"The technique involves looking at satellite navigation (GNSS) signals that have been reflected off of the sea surface at very low angles. At these so-called grazing angles, waves and surface roughness have very little impact on the reflection process; the sea surface acts as a very smooth mirror."



Estel Cardellach is the principal investigator at the Institute for Space Studies of Catalonia, who first submitted the idea for the project.



“In a mirror-like reflection the phase of the signal can be tracked – it is continuous," said Cardellach. "Different surface heights result in different phase measurements. It gives a very precise measurement of the surface altitude at a few centimetres’ precision.”



The researchers developed a GNSS receiver and set up an experiment in the Balaeric Islands to collect signals from the receiver that were reflected off the sea surface. Ultimately, these signals will provide improved measurements of the shape of the sea surface.



Image/ Video Credit: ESA



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By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Monitoring the dynamic shape of the sea surface

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