Articles for tag: Climate Change, coral reefs, Marine Ecosystems, Ocean Acidification, planetary boundaries

North beach from Willinga Point in the township of Bawley Point, New South Wales (NSW), Australia.

The Ocean’s Silent Crisis: Acidification Reaches Dangerous Levels  

April Joy Jovita

Scientists have issued a stark warning: ocean acidification has crossed planetary boundaries, threatening marine ecosystems and coastal economies. A study published in Global Change Biology reveals that by 2020, ocean acidity had already reached critical levels in some regions, surpassing the safe threshold for marine life. The findings suggest that the rapid decline in ocean ...

Peaceful underwater scene with sunlight and streaming bubbles in the ocean.

Ticking Time Bomb: Oceans Breach Acidification Danger Zone, Threatening Marine Life and Human Futures

Suhail Ahmed

Scientists warn that the silently crossing of a crucial threshold by the world’s oceans could destroy marine ecosystems, collapse fisheries, and upset coastal economies. With acidity levels now exceeding safety limits in almost 60% of deep ocean waters 129, a ground-breaking study published in Global Change Biology shows that ocean acidification breached its planetary “danger ...

The last bit of rotted sea ice melts on the shore of Cape.

How Sea Ice Loss is Changing Ocean Light and Ecosystems

April Joy Jovita

New research has revealed that the disappearance of sea ice is not only increasing the amount of light entering the ocean but also altering its color. These changes have significant consequences for photosynthetic organisms such as ice algae and phytoplankton, which rely on specific wavelengths of light for survival. Scientists are now investigating how these ...

Humpback whale jump and splash

The Hidden Role of Whale Urine in Marine Ecosystems

April Joy Jovita

Recent research has uncovered an overlooked but vital contributor to ocean health—whale urine. While whale feces have long been recognized for their role in nutrient cycles, new findings reveal that urine plays an equally significant part in sustaining marine ecosystems. By transporting essential nutrients across vast regions, whales act as ecosystem engineers, influencing biodiversity and ...

Microplastics in Paradise? Discover the Hidden Threat in Brazil’s Marine Havens

Jan Otte

Celebrated as havens of biodiversity, Brazil’s marine protected areas (MPAs) are under strict control meant to guard delicate ecosystems from human impact. Still, a novel study reveals a sneaky invader slipping past these defenses: microplastics. Little plastic particles have crept into even the most pristine, no-take reserves where fishing, tourism, and industrial activity are prohibited ...