Latest news with #CommunicationsEarthandEnvironment
Miami Herald
18-07-2025
- Science
- Miami Herald
The weird way that penguin poop might be cooling Antarctica
In December 2022, Matthew Boyer hopped on an Argentine military plane to one of the more remote habitations on Earth: Marambio Station at the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, where the icy continent stretches toward South America. Months before that, Boyer had to ship expensive, delicate instruments that might get busted by the time he landed. "When you arrive, you have boxes that have been sometimes sitting outside in Antarctica for a month or two in a cold warehouse," said Boyer, a doctoral student in atmospheric science at the University of Helsinki. "And we're talking about sensitive instrumentation." But the effort paid off, because Boyer and his colleagues found something peculiar about penguin guano, Grist reports. In a paper published on May 22 in the journal Communications Earth and Environment, they describe how ammonia wafting off the droppings of 60,000 birds contributed to the formation of clouds that might be insulating Antarctica, helping cool down an otherwise rapidly warming continent. Some penguin populations, however, are under serious threat because of climate change. Losing them and their guano could mean fewer clouds and more heating in an already fragile ecosystem, one so full of ice that it will significantly raise sea levels worldwide as it melts. A better understanding of this dynamic could help scientists hone their models of how Antarctica will transform as the world warms. They can now investigate, for instance, if some penguin species produce more ammonia and, therefore, more of a cooling effect. "That's the impact of this paper," said Tamara Russell, a marine ornithologist at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, who studies penguins but wasn't involved in the research. "That will inform the models better, because we know that some species are decreasing, some are increasing, and that's going to change a lot down there in many different ways." With their expensive instruments, Boyer and his research team measured atmospheric ammonia between January and March 2023, summertime in the southern hemisphere. They found that when the wind was blowing from an Adelie penguin colony 5 miles away from the detectors, concentrations of the gas shot up to 1,000 times higher than the baseline. Even when the penguins had moved out of the colony after breeding, ammonia concentrations remained elevated for at least a month, as the guano continued emitting the gas. That atmospheric ammonia could have been helping cool the area. The researchers further demonstrated that the ammonia kicks off an atmospheric chain reaction. Out at sea, tiny plantlike organisms known as phytoplankton release the gas dimethyl sulfide, which transforms into sulphuric acid in the atmosphere. Because ammonia is a base, it reacts readily with this acid. This coupling results in the rapid formation of aerosol particles. Clouds form when water vapor gloms onto any number of different aerosols, like soot and pollen, floating around in the atmosphere. In populated places, these particles are more abundant, because industries and vehicles emit so many of them as pollutants. Trees and other vegetation spew aerosols, too. But because Antarctica lacks trees and doesn't have much vegetation at all, the aerosols from penguin guano and phytoplankton can make quite an impact. In February 2023, Boyer and the other researchers measured a particularly strong burst of particles associated with guano, sampled a resulting fog a few hours later, and found particles created by the interaction of ammonia from the guano and sulphuric acid from the plankton. "There is a deep connection between these ecosystem processes, between penguins and phytoplankton at the ocean surface," Boyer said. "Their gas is all interacting to form these particles and clouds." But here's where the climate impacts get a bit trickier. Scientists know that in general, clouds cool Earth's climate by reflecting some of the sun's energy back into space. Although Boyer and his team hypothesize that clouds enhanced with penguin ammonia are probably helping cool this part of Antarctica, they note that they didn't quantify that climate effect, which would require further research. That's a critical bit of information because of the potential for the warming climate to create a feedback loop. As oceans heat up, penguins are losing access to some of their prey, and colonies are shrinking or disappearing as a result. Fewer penguins producing guano means less ammonia and fewer clouds, which means more warming and more disruptions to the animals, and on and on in a self-reinforcing cycle. "If this paper is correct-and it really seems to be a nice piece of work to me-[there's going to be] a feedback effect, where it's going to accelerate the changes that are already pushing change in the penguins," said Peter Roopnarine, curator of geology at the California Academy of Sciences. Scientists might now look elsewhere, Roopnarine adds, to find other bird colonies that could also be providing cloud cover. Protecting those species from pollution and hunting would be a natural way to engineer Earth systems to offset some planetary warming. "We think it's for the sake of the birds," Roopnarine said. "Well, obviously it goes well beyond that." This story was produced by Grist and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. © Stacker Media, LLC.
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Scientists finally know what caused the Atlantic Warming Hole
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, BGR may receive an affiliate commission. For years, scientists were puzzled by a strange part of the ocean just south of Greenland that didn't behave like the rest of the planet. While ocean temperatures across the globe have climbed steadily, this region, nicknamed the Atlantic Warming Hole, has cooled by nearly half a degree Fahrenheit over the last century. Now, researchers say they may have solved the mystery. Despite its name, this location isn't warm at all. It's actually a cold zone in the North Atlantic where temperatures have dropped even as the rest of the ocean warms. That kind of anomaly has serious implications, especially for climate forecasting. The main question, though, is what could possibly cause this cooling in a rapidly warming world? Today's Top Deals Best deals: Tech, laptops, TVs, and more sales Best Ring Video Doorbell deals Memorial Day security camera deals: Reolink's unbeatable sale has prices from $29.98 According to new research published in Communications Earth and Environment, the answer lies in the slowing of a major system of ocean currents called the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, or AMOC. This network moves warm water from the tropics northward, where it cools, sinks, and flows back south. It's one of the key drivers of the planet's climate. When the AMOC slows down, it disrupts this flow of heat. Less warm water reaches the North Atlantic, and the surface cools as a result. The researchers found that only climate models including this slowdown could recreate the observed temperature patterns in the Atlantic Warming Hole. To reach this conclusion, scientists analyzed over a century of temperature data, which serve as indirect indicators of the ocean's current strength. They also used dozens of computer models to simulate how different changes would affect ocean temperatures. Only those with a weakened AMOC lined up with the observed cooling trend. Understanding the Atlantic Warming Hole is important because this cold patch influences rainfall and wind patterns across Europe and can disrupt marine ecosystems. And as the AMOC continues to slow, some scientists warn of broader disruptions to weather and climate systems. More Top Deals Amazon gift card deals, offers & coupons 2025: Get $2,000+ free See the
Observer
10-06-2025
- General
- Observer
It is high time we turn the tide for our oceans and seas
Every year in June, the world unites to celebrate various international days dedicated to protecting our ecosystems. These observances serve as a reminder of our responsibility to safeguard the environment and to raise awareness about the impacts of climate change. Unfortunately, both the living and non-living components of our ecosystems — ranging from flora and fauna to air, water and soil — are under threat from human activities such as deforestation, pollution and climate change. These activities disrupt natural processes and diminish biodiversity. World Ocean Day, observed annually on June 8, is a global event dedicated to celebrating and raising awareness about the ocean's vital role in our lives and the health of our planet. Although this year's theme does not explicitly focus on sea levels, it implicitly acknowledges the impacts of rising sea levels. We recognise that oceans and seas are vital resources, essential for life on Earth and economic prosperity. They provide oxygen, regulate the climate and support diverse ecosystems. Millions of people rely on marine resources for their livelihoods, including fishing, tourism and shipping. However, this invaluable natural capital is under threat from human-induced factors such as overfishing, plastic pollution and the destruction of marine habitats. Many coastal communities around the world are already facing the threats of rising sea levels and coastal flooding, where climate impacts can inundate neighbourhoods, endanger lives and cause significant economic disruption. The Arabian Gulf is one of the most severely impacted marine environments in the world, primarily due to a combination of pollution factors, including climate change, oil and gas activities, and human disturbances along the coast. According to a study published in the Pollution Studies Journal, small-scale marine oil spills of unknown origin pose an increasing threat to Oman's coastal ecosystems, fisheries and economy. Oman, situated along the heavily trafficked Strait of Hormuz, is particularly susceptible to oil pollution. The strait sees daily shipments of oil tankers, which pose significant environmental risks, particularly to Oman's northern coastlines. The study conducted by Oman's Environment Authority highlights that oil pollution from unidentified sources is one of the most significant environmental threats to marine life. While large-scale oil spills have garnered considerable attention, the effects of smaller, unreported spills continue to pose a significant risk to the nation's marine ecosystems. Another study published in the journal of Communications Earth and Environment indicates that by 2050, the total global urban population at risk from sea level rise could surpass 800 million people residing in 570 cities. 'Sea level rise will become unmanageable at just 1.5°C of global warming and will lead to catastrophic inland migration,' warn the researchers of the study 'The Future We Don't Want". Estimates suggest that the global economic costs to cities from rising sea levels and inland flooding could reach $1 trillion by mid-century. 'As with other climate-related hazards, local factors will cause cities to experience sea level rise at varying rates,' the study points out. Reducing emissions in accordance with the Paris Agreement would help prevent the most severe climate scenarios from occurring. However, even with limited global warming, sea level rise and coastal flooding are likely to intensify. Unfortunately, when formulating policies and climate action plans, as well as defining investments, decision-makers often overlook the vital role the ocean plays and the solutions it offers. We must always remember that our economic aspirations are built upon the foundations of a healthy ecological system and the protection of the natural assets that provide significant economic value. Beyond mere economic considerations, nature possesses profound intrinsic values that affect multiple generations and are essential for our physical and mental well-being, as well as the health of the planet itself.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Landmark study finds Great Lakes have entered a new era with climate change, extreme events
The Great Lakes has officially entered a new climate era, and the past is no longer a reliable guide for the future. That's the landmark finding in a new study by researchers at the University of Michigan, who concluded that in this new era, extremes increasingly will become more extreme. The study, published in Communications Earth and Environment, showed that by looking at 80 years of extreme heat waves and cold snaps, researchers could pinpoint when each of the five lakes — and the Great Lakes region overall — began shifting to a new reality. 'If we operate based on what we know, it's not going to be applicable anymore,' said Ayumi Fujisaki Manome, co-author and climate modeler at the Cooperative Institute for Great Lakes Research at the University of Michigan. 'That puts us in a very vulnerable situation.' With stronger climate extremes now the norm, Fujisaki Manome said risks are escalating for ecosystems, fisheries water quality and coastal infrastructure, like power plants and drinking water systems. Here are six takeaways from the study. The scientists borrowed computer models typically used for oceans to analyze trends in lake surface temperatures across the Great Lakes over the past eight decades. By studying these trends, they were able to determine when the region — and each individual lake — entered a new climate era. On average, the shift began in 1998, according to Hazem Abdelhady, co-author and postdoctoral researcher at the University of Michigan. He noted that many of the changes can be traced back to the strong 1997–98 El Niño event, one of the most powerful on record. Since then, both extreme heat and cold events have grown increasingly intense, Abdelhady said. Over the past eight decades, the upper Great Lakes — Superior, Huron and Michigan — experienced the largest change in heat wave intensity. Heat waves becoming more intense could mean temperatures become hot faster, or lasting longer, Abdelhady explained. The strength of Lake Superior's heat waves has more than tripled, according to the study. Heat wave intensity in Lakes Huron and Michigan has more than doubled. Abdelhady said Lake Superior likely saw the greatest change because it's one of the fastest warming lakes in the world, and has seen a dramatic decline in ice cover. For all of the lakes, 1996 was the year when things changed significantly, except for Lake Erie, which occurred 1991. More: In winter, the waters of Lakes Michigan and Huron separate into layers. Not anymore. Why? Cold spells − which would mean a rapid drop in temperature, or an abnormal chilly snap lasting for a while − have more than doubled in intensity across all five lakes, the study found. In Lake Erie, they have nearly tripled. Lake Erie has seen the greatest change in cold spells because it's the shallowest of the Great Lakes and can cool and freeze more quickly, Abdelhady said. The shift in cold spell intensity happened around 1976 in Lakes Erie and Ontario, 1991 in Lake Michigan and 1996 in Lakes Superior and Huron. More: New data shows winters in Great Lakes region shrinking by two or more weeks since 1995 Swings in extremes also will be felt outside the Great Lakes because of how the world's largest surface freshwater system moderates regional climate. Water holds onto heat and releases it much more slowly compared with land, which helps cool the summers and warm the winters. Areas downwind of the lakes especially will feel the weather impacts of these swings, Fujisaki Manome said. For example, lake-effect snow events will likely become more intense, she said. These events happen in the late fall and early winter when the lakes are ice-free and the water is still warm. And they typically happen on the downwind side of the lakes, which is why cities like Buffalo and Rochester, New York, have recently been hit with such deadly, heavy snowfalls. But the study shows that it will be much harder to predict these events, as well as seasonal predictions in general, Fujisaki Manome said. The challenge of developing reliable seasonal outlooks may leave many industries unprepared for rapidly changing conditions, Fujisaki Manome said. For instance, cold spells and sudden shifts in ice conditions can disrupt navigation and supply chains, leading to delays and safety risks. Extreme temperature swings also harm fisheries, as rapid changes prevent fish from adapting quickly enough, Abdelhady noted. In Lake Superior, intensifying heat waves could worsen the growing problem of blue-green algae blooms, according to Fujisaki Manome. Though still a relatively new concern for the largest of the Great Lakes, algae blooms have been on the rise since the first major bloom appeared in 2012, which scientists attribute to rising water temperatures from climate change. Some algae blooms are toxic, contaminating drinking water. But even if they aren't toxic, blooms can suck up the oxygen and block sunlight, which impacts the rest of the food web. Algae blooms are also eyesores that can damage coastal economies. More: Cold, snowy winters are part of Wisconsin's identity. But are they a thing of the past? The new study adds to the growing record of how climate change is impacting the Great Lakes region. Winter is the fastest-warming season in the Great Lakes region, becoming increasingly warmer and wetter, with less snowfall. The season has shortened by several weeks, and ice cover has steadily declined over the past 50 years. Changes are even happening to the lakes themselves. For instance, a study published earlier this year found that Lakes Michigan and Huron don't consistently separate into layers — or stratify — in the winter anymore. More: Wisconsin's 2024 climate review: A year of unprecedented weather, and record highs and lows Caitlin Looby is a Report for America corps member who writes about the environment and the Great Lakes. Reach her at clooby@ follow her on X @caitlooby and learn more about how she approaches her reporting. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Climate change has brought more extremes to Great Lakes, study shows
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Landmark study finds Great Lakes have entered a new climate era, with more extreme events
The Great Lakes has officially entered a new climate era, and the past is no longer a reliable guide for the future. That's the landmark finding in a new study by researchers at the University of Michigan, who concluded that in this new era, extremes increasingly will become more extreme. The study, published in Communications Earth and Environment, showed that by looking at 80 years of extreme heat waves and cold snaps, researchers could pinpoint when each of the five lakes — and the Great Lakes region overall — began shifting to a new reality. 'If we operate based on what we know, it's not going to be applicable anymore,' said Ayumi Fujisaki Manome, co-author and climate modeler at the Cooperative Institute for Great Lakes Research at the University of Michigan. 'That puts us in a very vulnerable situation.' With stronger climate extremes now the norm, Fujisaki Manome said risks are escalating for ecosystems, fisheries water quality and coastal infrastructure, like power plants and drinking water systems. Here are six takeaways from the study. The scientists borrowed computer models typically used for oceans to analyze trends in lake surface temperatures across the Great Lakes over the past eight decades. By studying these trends, they were able to determine when the region — and each individual lake — entered a new climate era. On average, the shift began in 1998, according to Hazem Abdelhady, co-author and postdoctoral researcher at the University of Michigan. He noted that many of the changes can be traced back to the strong 1997–98 El Niño event, one of the most powerful on record. Since then, both extreme heat and cold events have grown increasingly intense, Abdelhady said. Over the past eight decades, the upper Great Lakes — Superior, Huron and Michigan — experienced the largest change in heat wave intensity. Heat waves becoming more intense could mean temperatures become hot faster, or lasting longer, Abdelhady explained. The strength of Lake Superior's heat waves has more than tripled, according to the study. Heat wave intensity in Lakes Huron and Michigan has more than doubled. Abdelhady said Lake Superior likely saw the greatest change because it's one of the fastest warming lakes in the world, and has seen a dramatic decline in ice cover. For all of the lakes, 1996 was the year when things changed significantly, except for Lake Erie, which occurred 1991. More: In winter, the waters of Lakes Michigan and Huron separate into layers. Not anymore. Why? Cold spells − which would mean a rapid drop in temperature, or an abnormal chilly snap lasting for a while − have more than doubled in intensity across all five lakes, the study found. In Lake Erie, they have nearly tripled. Lake Erie has seen the greatest change in cold spells because it's the shallowest of the Great Lakes and can cool and freeze more quickly, Abdelhady said. The shift in cold spell intensity happened around 1976 in Lakes Erie and Ontario, 1991 in Lake Michigan and 1996 in Lakes Superior and Huron. More: New data shows winters in Great Lakes region shrinking by two or more weeks since 1995 Swings in extremes also will be felt outside the Great Lakes because of how the world's largest surface freshwater system moderates regional climate. Water holds onto heat and releases it much more slowly compared with land, which helps cool the summers and warm the winters. Areas downwind of the lakes especially will feel the weather impacts of these swings, Fujisaki Manome said. For example, lake-effect snow events will likely become more intense, she said. These events happen in the late fall and early winter when the lakes are ice-free and the water is still warm. And they typically happen on the downwind side of the lakes, which is why cities like Buffalo and Rochester, New York, have recently been hit with such deadly, heavy snowfalls. But the study shows that it will be much harder to predict these events, as well as seasonal predictions in general, Fujisaki Manome said. The challenge of developing reliable seasonal outlooks may leave many industries unprepared for rapidly changing conditions, Fujisaki Manome said. For instance, cold spells and sudden shifts in ice conditions can disrupt navigation and supply chains, leading to delays and safety risks. Extreme temperature swings also harm fisheries, as rapid changes prevent fish from adapting quickly enough, Abdelhady noted. In Lake Superior, intensifying heat waves could worsen the growing problem of blue-green algae blooms, according to Fujisaki Manome. Though still a relatively new concern for the largest of the Great Lakes, algae blooms have been on the rise since the first major bloom appeared in 2012, which scientists attribute to rising water temperatures from climate change. Some algae blooms are toxic, contaminating drinking water. But even if they aren't toxic, blooms can suck up the oxygen and block sunlight, which impacts the rest of the food web. Algae blooms are also eyesores that can damage coastal economies. More: Cold, snowy winters are part of Wisconsin's identity. But are they a thing of the past? The new study adds to the growing record of how climate change is impacting the Great Lakes region. Winter is the fastest-warming season in the Great Lakes region, becoming increasingly warmer and wetter, with less snowfall. The season has shortened by several weeks, and ice cover has steadily declined over the past 50 years. Changes are even happening to the lakes themselves. For instance, a study published earlier this year found that Lakes Michigan and Huron don't consistently separate into layers — or stratify — in the winter anymore. More: Wisconsin's 2024 climate review: A year of unprecedented weather, and record highs and lows Caitlin Looby is a Report for America corps member who writes about the environment and the Great Lakes. Reach her at clooby@ follow her on X @caitlooby and learn more about how she approaches her reporting. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: More extreme heat, cold on way as Great Lakes enters new climate era
