Over the past 20 years, scientists have observed a subtle but widespread shift in the color of our oceans. While these changes might not be noticeable during a day at the beach, you can easily see them from airplanes and satellites in space.



This is happening on a massive, global scale, signaling to anyone paying attention that significant transformations are taking place beneath the surface of our seas.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sounding-alarm-bells">Sounding alarm bells</h2>



Stephanie Dutkiewicz, a senior research scientist at <a href="https://www.mit.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MIT</a>, has been studying this phenomenon closely. She's part of a team that's raising concerns about what these color changes mean for the health of our planet.



"We hope people take this seriously," says Dutkiewicz. "It's not only models predicting these changes; we can now see them happening, and the ocean is changing."



In a study published in Nature, researchers from the <a href="https://noc.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Oceanography Center</a> in the UK and other institutions revealed that more than half of the world's oceans have experienced a shift in color. 



They found that these changes can't be chalked up to natural variations alone -- they're likely a result of human-driven climate change.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-greener-ocean-color-near-the-equator">Greener ocean color near the equator</h2>



Tropical regions near the equator have become noticeably greener over time. This isn't just a visual tweak; it's a sign that the ecosystems within the surface ocean are changing. 



The color of the ocean is influenced by what's in its upper layers, especially tiny organisms like phytoplankton.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/earth-ocean-waters_south-carolina-coast_landsat8_green-color_nasa-1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/earth-ocean-waters_south-carolina-coast_landsat8_green-color_nasa-1s.webp" alt="Winyah Bay (roughly midway between Charleston and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina) receives input from a number of blackwater rivers whose dark, reddish hues arise from the absorptive properties of colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM) which some have likened to nature's tea. Credit: NASA" class="wp-image-1951739"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Winyah Bay (roughly midway between Charleston and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina) receives input from a number of blackwater rivers whose dark, reddish hues arise from the absorptive properties of colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM) which some have likened to nature's tea. Credit: NASA</figcaption></figure>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/invisible-forest-of-phytoplankton-thrives-in-a-warming-climate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Phytoplankton</a> are microscopic, plant-like creatures that contain chlorophyll, giving them their green tint. They're a cornerstone of the marine food web and play a key role in capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. 



Shifts in their populations can have ripple effects throughout marine ecosystems and impact the global carbon cycle.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-blame-the-humans-of-course">Blame the humans, of course</h2>



Lead author B.B. Cael from the National Oceanography Center points out that this isn't a random occurrence. 



"This evidence shows how human activities are affecting life on Earth on a vast scale," he says. "It's another way humans are impacting the biosphere, affecting even the most extensive environments on the planet."



Traditionally, scientists have monitored <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marine-algae-genes-chlorophyll-boost-crop-yields-land-plants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">chlorophyll levels</a> to keep tabs on phytoplankton populations. But tracking changes using chlorophyll alone can take decades because of natural year-to-year fluctuations. 



Back in 2019, Dutkiewicz and her colleagues suggested that looking at the full spectrum of ocean colors could reveal climate change-driven trends more quickly. They estimated that such changes could become apparent within 20 years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-satellites-spot-the-difference">Satellites spot the difference</h2>



The team analyzed data from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (<a href="https://modis.gsfc.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MODIS</a>) on NASA's Aqua satellite. 



Since 2002, this instrument has been observing ocean color across seven visible wavelengths. Their analysis showed a clear trend over two decades, lining up with what their models had predicted.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/earth-ocean-waters_new-zealand-coast_modis-satellite_nasa_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/earth-ocean-waters_new-zealand-coast_modis-satellite_nasa_1s.webp" alt="Phytoplankton blooms are evident throughout the South Pacific Ocean with sediment re-suspended from the ocean floor by waves and tides along much of the New Zealand coastline. Credit: MODIS/NASA" class="wp-image-1951737"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Phytoplankton blooms are evident throughout the South Pacific Ocean with sediment re-suspended from the ocean floor by waves and tides along much of the New Zealand coastline. Credit: MODIS/NASA</figcaption></figure>



Cael explains that these trends match up with the effects of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-induced-changes-in-ocean-salinity-threaten-biodiversity-and-marine-ecosystems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">human-induced</a> climate change, not just random shifts in the Earth's system. 



This means the changes in ocean color are a direct response to how we're altering the planet's climate.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-does-ocean-color-matter">Why does ocean color matter?</h2>



So, what's the big deal about the ocean turning a bit greener? It suggests that the types of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plankton-at-risk-global-warming-threatens-the-oceans-lifeline/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">phytoplankton communities</a> are changing. 



Different phytoplankton have varying abilities to capture carbon and support marine life. Changes in these communities can affect the entire food web, from tiny marine organisms all the way up to fish and whales.



Dutkiewicz emphasizes that these shifts will impact all creatures that rely on plankton for food. 



"Different types of plankton influence how much carbon the ocean can absorb," she notes, highlighting the broader implications for climate regulation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-visible-sign-of-invisible-changes">Visible sign of invisible changes</h2>



This research shines a light on the far-reaching effects of climate change on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/overfishing-and-habitat-degradation-have-devastated-marine-ecosystems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine ecosystems</a>. Monitoring ocean color offers a tangible way to detect and understand these shifts. 



The findings are a stark reminder of the significant impact human activities have on Earth's complex systems.



"The evidence is clear: human activities are altering the very color of our oceans," says Cael. This isn't just about aesthetics; it's about the intricate balance of marine life that keeps our planet healthy.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-can-we-do-to-help">What can we do to help?</h2>



This shift in the ocean's hue is more than just a scientific curiosity -- it's a call to action. 



Scientists are continuing to study these trends to grasp the full impact on marine ecosystems and the global climate.



By keeping a closer eye on the full spectrum of ocean colors, researchers hope to gain a quicker understanding of how climate change is affecting the oceans.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/earth-ocean-waters_lake-erie_great-lakes_modis_nasa_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/earth-ocean-waters_lake-erie_great-lakes_modis_nasa_1s.webp" alt="At the end of winter the ice is nearly all gone from Lake Erie, and growing phytoplankton populations are revealed mingling with suspended sediments in this relatively shallow Great Lake. Credit: MODIS/NASA" class="wp-image-1951741"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">At the end of winter the ice is nearly all gone from Lake Erie, and growing phytoplankton populations are revealed mingling with suspended sediments in this relatively shallow Great Lake. Credit: MODIS/NASA</figcaption></figure>



This could lead to faster responses and more effective strategies to lessen the impacts.



As we face the realities of climate change, understanding what's happening in our oceans is crucial. Changes in the oceans can affect weather patterns, sea levels, and biodiversity on a global scale.



Addressing these challenges isn't something scientists can do alone. It requires all of us to pitch in -- from reducing our carbon footprints to supporting policies that protect marine environments. 



Every action, no matter how small, contributes to the bigger picture.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ocean-color-climate-change-and-human-health">Ocean color, climate change, and human health</h2>



To sum it all up, scientists have noticed that over the past 20 years, more than half of the world's oceans have subtly changed color. 



Stephanie Dutkiewicz points out that this shift matches what climate change models have been predicting. 



The color change is linked to alterations in phytoplankton communities -- tiny, plant-like organisms with chlorophyll that give the ocean its green tint. 



These little guys are essential for marine life and play a big role in capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.



By analyzing satellite data, researchers found that these changes aren't just natural fluctuations; they're consistent with human-driven climate change. 



The shift in ocean color suggests significant changes in marine ecosystems, which could impact the entire food web -- from microscopic organisms to large marine animals. 



This finding highlights how human activities are affecting the planet in profound ways, even down to changing the very color of our oceans. It's a clear sign that we need to take climate change seriously and start making changes now.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-06321-z" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>.



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Earth's oceans are rapidly changing colors, and it's too late to stop it

Over the past 20 years, scientists have observed a subtle but widespread shift in the color of our oceans. While these changes might not be noticeable during a day at the beach, you can easily see them from airplanes and satellites in space. This is happening on a massive, global scale, signaling to anyone paying attention that significant transformations are taking place beneath the surface of our seas. Sounding alarm bells Stephanie Dutkiewicz, a senior research scientist at MIT, has been studying this phenomenon closely. She's part...

This World Milk Day, researchers at the <a href="https://www.ox.ac.uk/">University of Oxford</a> have announced new findings that shed light on the ecological impact of various types of milk, revealing surprising insights about the environmental toll of our favorite breakfast drink.&nbsp;



The researchers analyzed the carbon emissions, land use, and water consumption associated with the production of dairy milk and several vegan alternatives. They present a comprehensive comparison that consumers might want to consider before buying their next carton of milk.



<h2 id="h-the-best-and-the-worst">The best and the worst</h2>



The study, directed by Joseph Poore, has identified almond milk as the most eco-friendly vegan option for those wishing to decrease their greenhouse gas <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/epa-plans-to-eliminate-greenhouse-gas-emissions-from-power-plants-by-2040/">emissions</a>. On the contrary, rice milk was found to be the least sustainable among the plant-based options.



The overall environmental impacts of animal milks far exceeded that of plant-based alternatives, due primarily to the substantial greenhouse gas emissions associated with cows. Livestock farming at its current scale is a significant source of greenhouse gases, thereby propelling our planet further towards a climate crisis, according to the scientists.



Dairy milk, a mainstay in many households, was found to have the highest emissions at approximately 1.41lbs (0.64kg) for every 200ml glass. After dairy milk, rice milk was shown to have the second highest emissions, clocking in at around 0.66lbs (0.3kg) per glass, followed by soy milk, oat milk, and almond milk.



<h2 id="h-beyond-the-carbon-footprint">Beyond the carbon footprint&nbsp;</h2>



The environmental impact of milk alternatives is not solely dictated by their carbon footprint. The researchers also examined the land and water resources utilized in milk production, key factors in determining the sustainability of food choices.&nbsp;



Almond milk was found to have a significant water footprint, with 74 liters required to produce a 200ml glass, largely due to the high water demands of almond trees. Similarly, the semi-aquatic nature of rice plants necessitates constant irrigation, leading to a considerable water use of 54 liters per glass for rice milk. Comparatively, soy and oat milks had low water use.



When it comes to land use, all four vegan alternatives outperformed dairy milk, which was the least eco-friendly choice by a large margin. Land use of dairy milk was found to be a staggering 1.7 square meters per 200ml glass, whereas the vegan alternatives required 0.1 square meters or less.



<h2 id="h-plant-based-versus-dairy-milk">Plant-based versus dairy milk</h2>



These findings prompt the question of how best to make sustainable choices in the dairy aisle. According to Jena Williams, a dietitian at Bastyr University in Kenmore, Washington, who wasn't involved with the study, opting for any plant-based milk is a step in the right direction, provided efforts are made to recycle the packaging.



"Plant-based milk has a smaller impact on water and land as well as carbon emissions when compared to dairy milk," explained Williams. She recommends soy, oat, hemp, and pea milks as more eco-friendly choices than almond or rice milk and advocates for plant-based milks in recyclable containers and organic options to reduce waste and pesticide use.



The University of Oxford's research supports data from the "food carbon footprint calculator," an online tool that assigns a "carbon rating" to hundreds of food items. The tool uses CO2 equivalent (CO2e), a unit of measurement that standardizes the climate effects of various greenhouse gases, to rank items. According to this tool, no vegan milk has a carbon footprint close to that of dairy milk.



<h2 id="h-nutritional-values">Nutritional values</h2>



Soy milk, in particular, is an attractive alternative to dairy milk not just from an environmental standpoint but also from a nutritional one. Meagan Bridges Durkin, a nutrition specialist at the University of Virginia, explains that soy milk closely matches the nutritional values of regular cow's milk, particularly in terms of protein, vitamin C, and calcium.



"Soy milk has gotten a bad rap lately, as other alternative forms have come onto the market, people are maybe trying to find reasons not to drink soy milk," said Durkin.



"Soy milk is a really good alternative and the best thing is that, from a nutrition standpoint, it's as close to cow's milk as you're going to get in terms of protein, vitamin C and calcium."



<h2 id="h-more-about-world-milk-day">More about World Milk Day&nbsp;</h2>



World Milk Day is celebrated on June 1 every year and was first established by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations in 2001. This day is recognized worldwide to focus attention on the importance of milk, which is a staple part of the diet for millions of people across the globe.



World Milk Day serves as an occasion to highlight the contributions of the dairy sector to sustainability, economic development, livelihoods, and nutrition. Various activities and events are held across the globe to celebrate.&nbsp;



The recent study from the University of Oxford, exploring the environmental impact of various types of milk, is a critical contribution to this year's World Milk Day. 



By highlighting the ecological implications of our milk choices, the research adds another dimension to our understanding of this globally significant beverage. As we strive for sustainability and health, such insights become invaluable in making informed dietary decisions.



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World Milk Day: How do milk products impact the environment?

This World Milk Day, researchers at the University of Oxford...

Boat,Dwarfed,By,Antarctic,Mountains

Scientists have mapped the ground beneath Antarctica's most vulnerable <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-the-doomsday-glacier-is-melting-from-below/">glacier</a>, Thwaites, for the first time. This breakthrough will aid researchers in understanding the impacts of climate change on this sensitive area.



Thwaites Glacier, a massive formation in West Antarctica comparable in size to Great Britain or the US state of Florida, is one of Antarctica's fastest-changing ice-ocean systems.&nbsp;



Geophysicist Dr. Tom Jordan, who spearheaded this study at the <a href="https://www.bas.ac.uk/">British Antarctic Survey</a> (BAS), emphasized that the findings are vital due to the glacier's rapid transformation.



<h2 id="h-a-few-surprises-revealed-in-the-data">A few surprises revealed in the data</h2>



The study, published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/journal/sciadv">Science Advances</a>, revealed that the area beneath the Thwaites Glacier had less sedimentary rock than anticipated. “Sediments allow faster flow, like sliding on mud,” Dr. Jordan explained.&nbsp;



Understanding the location of these slippery sediments, he noted, would help predict the glacier's future behavior as it retreats.



The researchers noticed significant changes at the glacier's grounding zone - the spot where it interacts with the seafloor. Since the late 1990s, this point has retreated a staggering 14 km.&nbsp;



Notably, much of the ice sheet rests below sea level, which makes it prone to rapid, irreversible ice loss that could result in a global sea-level rise of over half a meter within centuries.



<h2 id="h-how-the-study-was-conducted">How the study was conducted</h2>



This groundbreaking research involved airborne surveys using specially equipped aircraft. These planes housed radar that could penetrate the ice to the rocks beneath, as well as sensors to map minute variations in gravity and magnetism. The instruments operated hundreds to thousands of meters below the ground and seabed where the glacier rests.



In combining the data from these various sources, researchers compiled a 3D representation of several features, including the type and extent of different rocks.&nbsp;



Dr. Jordan pointed out the importance of the integrated nature of these airborne surveys: “Each sensor on the aircraft provided an important but incomplete part of the picture, but by bringing them all together we could provide the detailed map of the underlying geology."



The study delves into geological history, tracing back to when New Zealand separated from Antarctica around 100 million years ago, long before the formation of the Thwaites Glacier.&nbsp;



Researchers anticipated the discovery of thick sediments at the base of Thwaites Glacier, given its position below sea level and the geological processes of millions of years. Previous analyses of other Antarctic glaciers indicated the presence of thick underlying sediments.



However, the survey data indicated that sedimentary rock constitutes only about a fifth of the ground beneath the Thwaites Glacier. These sediments are scattered in basins ranging between 80 and 200 km in length and about 30 km wide. The remainder of the ground comprises diverse geological bodies, including granite peaks and other hard rocks. The researchers hypothesized that the sedimentary basins were once larger but were eroded down to bedrock due to glacier movement.



<h2 id="h-implications-of-the-results-are-unclear">Implications of the results are unclear</h2>



The implications of these findings for estimates of ice flow and loss from Thwaites and other glaciers remain unclear. Yet, the study demonstrates that the geological landscape directly impacts the basal shear stress, a key determinant of the speed at which ice can flow into the ocean.



Dr. Jordan expressed his hopes for the study's implications: “We hope that by showing the detailed geology, and how it correlates with the basal friction, future models of glacial retreat will have lower uncertainty, as the controls of the basal processes will be better understood.”



“No single scientific study could ever match the scale and challenge of climate change. But it is the incremental building of all the individual scientific studies like this that allows us to understand and tackle that challenge.”



The team will proceed with more detailed studies of these processes. The newly discovered data may also assist in creating more accurate predictions of future ice loss.&nbsp;



Study co-author and glaciologist Dr. Sarah Thompson added an optimistic note: "The integrated approach used in this study has significant potential for successful application elsewhere in Antarctica, enabling us to explore other potentially vulnerable regions where current knowledge is sparse."



<h2 id="h-much-more-research-is-needed">Much more research is needed</h2>



This research project has opened a new dimension in the understanding of Antarctic glaciers and their response to climate change. Its innovative approach to mapping the geology beneath the ice has shed light on how the structure and composition of the earth beneath a glacier can influence its flow rate and melting process.



More research is forthcoming, and with it, we may gain better predictions about how these massive glaciers will behave in the future. As the team dives deeper into this exciting new knowledge base, the global scientific community eagerly anticipates further insights into our changing world.



While we grapple with the grand challenges of climate change, research endeavors such as this one from the British Antarctic Survey provide us with crucial knowledge and tools.&nbsp;



Incrementally, we are building a scientific understanding robust enough to tackle the profound environmental transformations of our time. This study is an important piece of the jigsaw puzzle, highlighting the inextricable ties between our planet's geology and climate.



<h2 id="h-more-about-the-thwaites-glacier">More about the Thwaites Glacier</h2>



Thwaites Glacier, also known as the "Doomsday Glacier," is located in the remote Amundsen Sea in West Antarctica. It's a wide and fast-flowing glacier, roughly the size of Florida or Great Britain, and it has been a significant focus of scientific study due to its sensitivity to climate change.



Thwaites Glacier is one of the most vulnerable and important glaciers in the world in terms of future global sea-level rise. It is believed that the glacier is undergoing significant change due to warming oceans, and this change is accelerating.



<h3 id="h-accelerating-pace-of-ice-loss-is-troubling">Accelerating pace of ice loss is troubling&nbsp;</h3>



In the past few decades, the speed at which Thwaites Glacier is flowing into the sea has nearly doubled. Satellite measurements have shown that the glacier is losing an enormous amount of ice each year, nearly 50 billion tons annually, contributing to rising global sea levels. If the entire Thwaites Glacier were to melt, it could raise the world's oceans by about 65 centimeters (over 2 feet).



A critical concern is that much of Thwaites sits on land that is below sea level, in a configuration known as "marine-based." This situation means that as the glacier's grounding line – the point where the glacier's ice lifts off the land and starts floating on the sea – retreats inland, it can pass over deeper and deeper valleys. This process allows more and more ice to discharge into the sea, which might accelerate the glacier's melt in a phenomenon known as "marine ice sheet instability."



<h3 id="h-collapse-of-thwaites-would-cause-disastrous-chain-reaction">Collapse of Thwaites would cause disastrous chain reaction</h3>



The stability of Thwaites is also important because it backs up other glaciers, acting as a kind of doorstop, and preventing the ice in these glaciers from flowing into the sea. The collapse of Thwaites could potentially destabilize a larger part of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, which contains enough ice to raise sea levels by an additional several meters.



Despite its remote location, research teams from around the world have been traveling to Thwaites for study. They're using ice-penetrating radar and other instruments to map the ice and the sea floor, and are drilling into the glacier to understand its stability and the factors affecting its rapid change.



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Predicting the future behavior of Thwaites, the Doomsday Glacier

Scientists have mapped the ground beneath Antarctica's most vulnerable glacier,...

Scientists at <a href="https://duke.edu/">Duke University</a> and the University of California, Santa Barbara have identified a climate feedback loop involving widely distributed yet underappreciated microbes like plankton that could quicken the pace of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-affects-ground-squirrels-in-unexpected-ways/">climate change</a>.&nbsp;



However, this discovery comes with a silver lining: a potential early warning sign that might help us brace for the tipping point.



The researchers have been studying microscopic organisms called mixotrophs. These versatile organisms have two metabolic modes, allowing them to photosynthesize like plants or consume food like animals, depending on their environment. Daniel Wieczynski, a postdoctoral associate at Duke and the first author of the study, calls them the "Venus fly traps of the microbial world."



<h2 id="h-using-a-computer-model-to-predict-behavior">Using a computer model to predict behavior</h2>



A computer model was used by the team to demonstrate the potential impact of these tiny organisms on the global climate. The researchers discovered that rising temperatures can cause these creatures to shift from absorbing carbon dioxide - a potent greenhouse gas - to emitting it. This shift results from the effects of global warming on their metabolism.



The release of carbon dioxide could potentially lead to increased temperatures, creating a dangerous positive feedback loop. In this scenario, minor degrees of warming could result in a disproportionate impact, accelerating climate change.



Jean P. Gibert, a senior author of the study from Duke, emphasized the role mixotrophs play in regulating the climate, despite their absence in most climate change models. Mixotrophs are abundant in oceans, lakes, and damp soils, forming a significant part of plankton communities and peatlands ecosystems.



“Mixotrophs can both capture and emit carbon dioxide, they're like ‘switches’ that could either help reduce climate change or make it worse,” explained study co-author Holly Moeller, assistant professor at UC Santa Barbara.



<h2 id="h-how-the-study-was-conducted">How the study was conducted</h2>



To examine how these effects could escalate, a mathematical model was developed. This model predicted how mixotrophs might shift between different modes of metabolism as global warming continues.&nbsp;



The model was run under a temperature range of 19 to 23 degrees Celsius (66-73 degrees Fahrenheit), in line with projected global temperature surges of 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels within the next five years, with the potential to exceed 2 to 4 degrees by century's end.



The model revealed that as temperatures increase, mixotrophs are more likely to consume food rather than rely on photosynthesis, leading to an imbalance in carbon absorption and emission. This could eventually push the microbes past a tipping point, shifting from carbon sink to carbon source and thereby contributing to global warming rather than mitigating it.



The scientists warned that reverting from this tipping point would require a significant decrease in temperatures, more than one degree Celsius, a challenge that highlights the seriousness of the situation.



<h2 id="h-the-research-team-found-a-ray-of-hope-amidst-the-gloom">The research team found a ray of hope amidst the gloom</h2>



However, there's a glimmer of hope. The study suggests that by carefully observing mixotroph abundance, scientists may be able to anticipate this crucial tipping point.&nbsp;



"Right before a tipping point, their abundances suddenly start to fluctuate wildly," Wieczynski said. “If you went out in nature and you saw a sudden change from relatively steady abundances to rapid fluctuations, you would know it’s coming.”



An additional factor identified by the study is nutrient pollution. The researchers found that increased levels of nutrients, like nitrate and phosphate, released from wastewater treatment facilities, farms, and lawns could cause the warning signs of rapid fluctuations to disappear, allowing the tipping point to arrive unannounced.



<h2 id="h-investing-in-early-detection-is-crucial">Investing in early detection is crucial</h2>



While these model predictions require validation through real-world observations, they underscore the importance of investing in early detection.&nbsp;



“Tipping points can be short-lived, and thus hard to catch,” Gibert said. “This paper provides us with a search image, something to look out for, and makes those tipping points -- as fleeting as they may be – more likely to be found.”



The research team is hopeful that these findings can contribute to the broader climate science community and help focus efforts on preventative measures. By understanding the role these tiny mixotrophs play in our climate and detecting these fluctuations early, we may be able to implement solutions before reaching these potentially irreversible tipping points.



The research paper, published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1365-2435.14350">Functional Ecology</a>, combines a fascinating look into the world of microbial activity with critical insights into climate change. The researchers’ efforts underline the complexity and interconnectedness of our ecosystem and the urgency of monitoring even the tiniest contributors to our climate.



This important work was made possible through the support of the Simons Foundation (grant number 689265), the National Science Foundation (grant number 1851194), and the U.S. Department of Energy (grant number DE-SC0020362). As the world continues to grapple with climate change, studies like this remind us of the importance of research and the potentially game-changing insights it can provide.



<h2 id="h-more-about-plankton">More about plankton</h2>



Plankton is a broad term used to describe the wide range of tiny organisms that drift within oceans, seas, and other bodies of water. The term "plankton" comes from the Greek for "drifter" or "wanderer." They can't swim against the current, but some can move up and down in the water column.



There are two main types of plankton: phytoplankton and zooplankton.



<h3 id="h-phytoplankton">Phytoplankton</h3>



These are the plant-like members of the plankton community, and they're photosynthetic. They're mostly single-celled organisms like cyanobacteria (formerly called blue-green algae) and diatoms but can also form colonies.&nbsp;



Phytoplankton serve as the base of the aquatic food web, providing an essential ecological function for all aquatic life. In addition, phytoplankton is responsible for producing approximately half of the oxygen on Earth through photosynthesis.



<h3 id="h-zooplankton">Zooplankton</h3>



These are the animal-like members of the plankton community, which range from tiny protozoans to large jellyfish. Zooplankton are generally larger than phytoplankton, and they often feed on phytoplankton. There are many types of zooplankton, including single-celled dinoflagellates, tiny crustaceans like copepods and krill, and the larvae of larger animals such as fish and crabs.



It's also important to mention mixotrophs, organisms that can switch between photosynthesis (like phytoplankton) and predation (like zooplankton) depending on their environment. Some dinoflagellates and other types of plankton fall into this category.



Plankton play an essential role in the carbon cycle. Through photosynthesis, phytoplankton absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and use it to produce carbohydrates for growth. When they die, some of their organic matter sinks to the deep ocean, effectively transferring carbon from the atmosphere to the ocean floor. This process is known as the "biological carbon pump."



<h2 id="h-influence-of-plankton-on-the-environment">Influence of plankton on the environment</h2>



Plankton populations can greatly influence weather patterns and climate. For example, phytoplankton blooms can influence cloud formation, because the particles they release can form nuclei around which water droplets condense to make clouds. In addition, because of their role in the carbon cycle, changes in plankton populations can impact atmospheric carbon dioxide levels, influencing global temperatures and climate.



Plankton populations can also serve as an indicator of environmental changes or disruptions. For example, changes in sea temperature, nutrient availability, or water acidity can all impact plankton populations. Scientists often monitor these populations to understand more about current conditions or future trends in the Earth's climate system.



Image Credit: Daniel J. Wieczynski, Duke University



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Rising temperatures may flip plankton into carbon emitters

Scientists at Duke University and the University of California, Santa...

Aerial,Drone,Top,View,Photo,Of,Small,Exotic,Atoll,Island

Today, <a href="https://www.science.org/journal/sciadv">Science Advances</a> published a groundbreaking study demonstrating that large-scale, offshore, fully-protected marine areas, often referred to as MPAs, are critical for preserving <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/predators-help-prevent-biodiversity-loss/">biodiversity</a> without posing detrimental effects on the fishing industry or food security.&nbsp;



The study unveils the evidence drawn from the first-ever “before and after” assessment of the impact on the fishing industry from establishing Mexico’s Revillagigedo National Park.



The research team, composed of US and Mexican scientists, discovered that the industrial fishing sector in Mexico experienced no economic losses five years after the creation of the park, even with a comprehensive fishing ban within the MPA.&nbsp;



This counters the common fears among fishermen and provides a reassuring response to the doubts raised by the Mexican industrial fishing lobby when the park was proposed. They argued that such a ban would negatively affect their catches and raise costs.



<h2 id="h-where-the-study-was-done">Where the study was done</h2>



Revillagigedo National Park, established in 2017, is also known as the "Galápagos of Mexico." Ranking as the world's 13th largest MPA, it stands as one of the few marine areas where all damaging human activities, including fishing, are strictly prohibited.&nbsp;



This stringent protection aims to aid the recovery of marine populations in the region, which hosts a diverse array of marine life. It shelters not only a significant aggregation of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-activities-threaten-australian-tiger-sharks/">sharks</a>, manta rays, tuna, humpback whales, and five species of sea turtles, but also more than 300 species of fish, 36 of which are uniquely found within these waters.



Study co-author Enric Sala is an Explorer in Residence at the National Geographic Society and founder of Pristine Seas. He commented: "This study, utilizing satellite tracking of fishing vessels and artificial intelligence (AI), shows that the fishing industry’s concerns are unfounded."&nbsp;



Sala stressed that even the largest MPAs, which protect entire ecosystems and thousands of marine species, don't impinge upon the fishing industry's targeted species. "The larger the MPA, the larger the benefits."



<h2 id="h-how-the-research-team-conducted-the-study">How the research team conducted the study</h2>



The study was undertaken by researchers from several institutions: the Mexican Center for Marine Biodiversity, <a href="https://scripps.ucsd.edu/">UC San Diego's Scripps Institution of Oceanography</a>, the Institute of Americas' Gulf of California Marine Program, and the National Geographic Society.&nbsp;



The experts scrutinized the behavior and productivity of the Mexican industrial fishing sector both before and five years after the introduction of North America's largest fully protected MPA, the Revillagigedo National Park.



The researchers harnessed various data sources to conduct their study: satellite tracking data, fish catch records from the Mexican Fisheries Commission, and cutting-edge AI tools from the Allen Institute for AI's Skylight platform. The ultimate objective was to determine if the creation of the MPA led to a reduction in fishing within the protected area, altered fishing catches, and caused the expansion of fishing into a larger area, which could consequently negatively affect marine biodiversity.



Dr. Fabio Favoretto, a postdoctoral scholar at Scripps Institution of Oceanography and lead author of the study, underlined the importance of satellite tracking devices and AI monitoring platforms in demonstrating compliance from the fishing industry.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-results-of-the-study">Results of the study</h2>



The data revealed that the Revillagigedo National Park's creation didn't have any adverse effects on the Mexican industrial fleet's catches or compel them to expand their fishing territories.



Additionally, the team employed machine learning to detect patterns associated with vessels. The satellite data analyzed were collected from GPS devices installed on approximately 2,000 fishing vessels.&nbsp;



The Skylight platform revealed only sporadic incidents of illegal fishing within the MPA after its establishment in 2017, emphasizing the potency of technology in protecting the 147,000 square kilometers of waters within the park’s boundary.



Contradicting the Mexican fishing industry's initial concern of losing 20 percent of their tuna and other pelagic catches the study provided convincing evidence that large, fully-protected MPAs can encourage a more sustainable and equitable use of the ocean without causing severe economic repercussions to the fishing industry.



Professor Octavio Aburto, co-author of the study and a marine biology expert at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, affirmed these findings. "Any argument to the contrary were just assumptions - this study provides the data to show that negative impacts to fishing do not exist," said Aburto.



He hopes this research will spark productive conversations with the fishing industry, ultimately leading to improved fish stocks and better protection of biodiversity.



<h2 id="h-safeguarding-biodiversity">Safeguarding biodiversity</h2>



This research comes at a crucial juncture when nations are considering how to achieve the global goal set forth at the UN Global Biodiversity Conference (COP15) in December 2022, to protect and conserve at least 30% of the ocean by 2030. Furthermore, just last month, United Nations members agreed on a legally-binding instrument to safeguard biodiversity in international waters beyond national jurisdictions.



"If the world is serious about protecting the natural world - our life support system - we need to drastically increase ocean protection," said Sala. "The clock is ticking until 2030."



The world's oceanic biodiversity, threatened by human activities such as overfishing, is rapidly diminishing, creating potential risks to food security, health, and the environment. By swiftly establishing marine protected areas in strategic ocean areas, the world can collectively secure more than 80 percent of the habitats of endangered species, a considerable leap from a current coverage of less than two percent.



Amid these global conversations, this study offers empirical evidence that large-scale MPAs within countries’ Exclusive Economic Zones can aid in reaching global conservation goals without compromising fisheries’ interests or a nation’s food security assurance.



<h2 id="h-hope-for-the-future">Hope for the future</h2>



The results challenge the long-held belief, propagated by the industrial fishing lobby, that ocean protection damages fisheries. Instead, the study suggests new avenues to rejuvenate the industry that is currently struggling due to overfishing and the impacts of global warming.&nbsp;



"Some argue that closing areas to fishing hurts fishing interests. But the worst enemy of fishing is overfishing and bad management - not protected areas," said Sala.&nbsp;



The findings of this study promise to enrich discussions in Mexico and elsewhere. Catalina López-Sagástegui, a co-author of the study and a researcher at the Institute of Americas, believes that "access to data and technology is improving our collective understanding of marine ecosystems health, which allows us to design and implement MPAs that help restore the health and resilience of marine ecosystems, benefiting fisheries in the long term."



Even those not directly involved in the study, like Dr. Reniel Cabral of James Cook University in Australia, concur with the study's findings. "It’s simple: When overfishing and other damaging activities cease, marine life bounces back. Target species and large predators come back, and entire ecosystems are restored within MPAs. With time, the ocean can heal itself and again provide services to humankind," said Dr. Cabral.



“MPAs are the most effective tool we have for protecting the health and diversity of our oceans," said Sala. "Our study helps to dispel the myth put forward by the industrial fishing lobby that MPAs harm them.”



Funding for the study was provided by Oceans 5 and the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation, underscoring their commitment to understanding and protecting our oceans. As the study's findings make clear, protecting our oceans is not just about safeguarding marine life, it's also about ensuring a sustainable future for our fishing industry, and ultimately, for us all.



<h2 id="h-more-about-marine-protected-areas-mpas">More about Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)</h2>



Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are designated regions in the oceans or seas where human activities are more tightly regulated than in the surrounding waters to protect the natural or cultural resources contained within.&nbsp;



These resources can include various types of marine life, such as fish, crustaceans, and coral reefs, or even archaeological sites like shipwrecks.



<h3 id="h-benefits-of-mpas">Benefits of MPAs&nbsp;</h3>



<h4 id="h-protecting-biodiversity">Protecting Biodiversity&nbsp;</h4>



MPAs can help preserve diverse ecosystems and marine species, many of which are threatened or endangered.



<h4 id="h-maintaining-ecological-processes">Maintaining Ecological Processes</h4>



They protect the ecological processes necessary for the survival of marine life, like breeding and feeding.



<h4 id="h-supporting-fisheries">Supporting Fisheries</h4>



MPAs can improve the health of fish populations, leading to increased fish numbers and sizes, which can spill over into surrounding fishing areas.



<h4 id="h-safeguarding-cultural-heritage">Safeguarding Cultural Heritage</h4>



MPAs may protect culturally important sites and traditional fishing grounds.



<h4 id="h-enabling-scientific-research">Enabling Scientific Research</h4>



They offer opportunities for scientific research and monitoring of marine ecosystems and biodiversity.



<h4 id="h-enhancing-tourism">Enhancing Tourism</h4>



Well-managed MPAs can attract tourists for wildlife watching, snorkeling, and scuba diving, thus benefiting local economies.



There are various types of MPAs with different levels of protection. Some allow sustainable fishing and other non-extractive activities, while others, known as "no-take" zones or marine reserves, ban all forms of extraction, including fishing and mining.



The percentage of the world's oceans covered by MPAs is still far from the international target set in the Convention on Biological Diversity's Aichi Biodiversity Targets, and the newer 30x30 campaign, which aim to protect 30% of the Earth's land and sea areas by 2030. It is crucial to continue expanding and managing MPAs effectively to safeguard our oceans' health and biodiversity.



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Large ocean sanctuaries do not impact regional fishing industries

Today, Science Advances published a groundbreaking study demonstrating that large-scale,...

Once threatened by disease and predators and experiencing massive population declines in the 1990s, the tiny channel island foxes off the coast of Southern California (Urocyon littoralis) were saved from extinction in 2016 by the Endangered Species Act. 



Unfortunately, a team of scientists led by the <a href="https://www.usc.edu/">University of Southern California</a> (USC) has now found that this species is now facing another threat which could possibly jeopardize their survival and the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-biodiversity-crisis-is-actually-worse-than-we-thought/">biodiversity</a> of their habitats: a marked decrease in their genetic diversity.



“The findings of this study highlight the alarming fact that the foxes currently inhabiting six of the Channel Islands possess extremely low genetic diversity, rendering them potentially more susceptible to dangers such as disease outbreaks and climate-induced environmental shifts,” said senior author Suzanne Edmands, a professor of Biological Sciences at USC.



<h2 id="h-significance-of-studying-the-channel-island-foxes">Significance of studying the channel island foxes</h2>



As the largest native land animals on the Channel Islands, these bushy-tailed, big-eared foxes play a critical role in regulating plant and animal populations, by feeding upon a variety of food sources, such as fruit, insects, snails, lizards, birds, and rodents. In fact, many plant species heavily rely on channel island foxes to distribute their seeds through their scat.



“The importance of these animals to the overall biodiversity of the island can’t be over-emphasized. Without them, we could lose other species as well,” Edmands said.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-what-the-researchers-learned">What the researchers learned&nbsp;</h2>



By comparing historic museum specimens and modern blood samples, the experts discovered that the foxes exhibited an extremely low genetic variation even before their population declines. This variation has further dropped since their population numbers fell, particularly on the islands of San Miguel and Santa Rosa. Other islands, such as Santa Cruz and Santa Catalina, where populations fell moderately, displayed mixed changes in genetic diversity metrics.



Although placing the channel island foxes on the endangered species list from 2004 to 2016 played a major role in their population recovery – with increase from 100 specimens to over 2,000 on Santa Catalina, and from 15 to 1,200 on Santa Rosa – their low genetic diversity continues to hinder their ability to adapt to future challenges, such as climate change and introduced diseases.



However, the researchers also discovered a reasonably good diversity within the foxes’ gut microbiome, which helps boosting immunity and well-being. “This discovery suggests that the foxes may have developed an alternative mechanism to cope with changing environmental conditions,” Edmands explained.



<h2 id="h-what-is-the-best-conservation-strategy">What is the best conservation strategy?</h2>



The analysis also revealed an increased divergence between the six islands over time, a feature complicating the possible conservation strategy of moving channel island foxes between islands to increase genetic variation. Such a method could inadvertently disrupt local adaptation by producing offspring that are less fit and adapted to their specific environments.



Due to their limited capacity to respond to new challenges, long-term monitoring of their populations is crucial, including non-invasive monitoring by sequencing bacterial communities in their scat.



“The recovery of the channel island foxes population numbers is an incredible conservation success, but their fragile genetic condition means that continued vigilance is critical to ensure their survival,” Edmands concluded.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/mec.17025">Molecular Ecology</a>.



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By <a href="mailto:andrei.ionescu5891@gmail.com">Andrei Ionescu</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer



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Channel Island foxes threatened by low genetic diversity

Once threatened by disease and predators and experiencing massive population...

As the world heats up, climatic changes are becoming more noticeable. A new study out of <a href="https://home.dartmouth.edu/">Dartmouth</a> suggests that the Northeast United States, a region known for its varied seasons and unique <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/extreme-weather-is-becoming-more-difficult-to-predict/">weather</a> patterns, is set to experience more extreme weather conditions such as heavy rainfall due to rising temperatures.&nbsp;



The study, published in <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10584-023-03545-w">Climatic Change</a>, predicts an increase in heavy rainfall events by as much as 52 percent by the end of this century. These extreme precipitation events are characterized as days with 1.5 or more inches of heavy rainfall or melted snow.



According to study first author Christopher J. Picard, the logic behind the forecast is pretty simple: as climate change ramps up the heat, more water vapor saturates the atmosphere. This elevated moisture sets the stage for an uptick in extreme precipitation.



<h2 id="h-broader-focus-of-the-study">Broader focus of the study</h2>



The focus of the study is not just on the increased volume of precipitation. "Our findings show that this increase in extreme precipitation will be primarily driven by more frequent heavy rainfall events, not by the intensity of such events," explained Picard. The expectation is not that each storm will be more powerful, but rather, that there will simply be more days of heavy rainfall.



Looking deeper into the seasons, the study notes that winter and spring are expected to bear the brunt of this change, contributing significantly to the predicted 52 percent surge in extreme precipitation by 2070 to 2099. These seasons may see increases in extreme precipitation of 109&nbsp; and 89 percent, respectively.



Jonathan Winter, the senior author of the study and an associate professor of Geography at Dartmouth, has a history of examining heavy rainfall trends in the Northeast. His earlier work, which looked at data from 1901 to 2014, found a 50 percent increase in extreme precipitation events from 1996 to 2014.&nbsp;



According to Professor Winter, this sharp uptick in extreme weather events has clear ties to climate change. "Building on our earlier work, we were particularly interested in determining how much extreme precipitation is expected to change across the Northeast in the future."



<h2 id="h-where-the-study-was-focused">Where the study was focused</h2>



The study specifically focused on thirteen Northeast states and Washington, D.C. When breaking down the regional impact, the researchers predict that extreme precipitation increases will be most noticeable in West Virginia, certain parts of Pennsylvania, central New York, and northeastern Maine. The areas expected to see comparatively less of an increase are those along the Atlantic coast and south of Lake Ontario.



To conduct the study, the team employed a regional climate model from the <a href="https://ncar.ucar.edu/">National Center for Atmospheric Research</a>. This model helped simulate precipitation for two periods: a historical one from 1976 to 2005 and a projected one from 2070 to 2099. 



The experts cross-referenced their results with simulations from other regional climate models and found a high degree of agreement. These models predict increases in heavy rainfall ranging from 58 to 169 percent.



<h2 id="h-grave-implications-of-the-study-s-results">Grave implications of the study’s results</h2>



The implications of this anticipated upsurge in extreme weather events are grave. "Extreme precipitation events can pose threats to life, property, infrastructure, and the environment," warns Winter.&nbsp;



Prior studies have revealed the destructive effects of such occurrences. They can lead to flooding, landslides, and erosion, which in turn can wipe out roads, instigate agricultural runoff of pollutants, and damage recreational areas.&nbsp;



"So, understanding where the flood plain is actually located, having the right sized culverts or green infrastructure in place, and properly designing roads and bridges, are important to managing the extra water that we're likely to encounter in the future," said Winter.&nbsp;



The research shines a spotlight on the unfolding realities of climate change and their likely impact on our daily lives. As we move toward the end of the century, more frequent days of heavy rainfall will likely become a commonplace event in the Northeast, a direct consequence of the rising global temperatures.



<h2 id="h-prepare-for-a-future-filled-with-extreme-weather">Prepare for a future filled with extreme weather</h2>



As Picard, Winter and colleagues demonstrate, a future with more extreme weather events isn't just a possibility - it's a likelihood. While this research gives us a glimpse of what lies ahead, it also underscores the need for greater resilience and adaptation in the face of climate change.&nbsp;



This means understanding where flood plains are actually located, investing in appropriately-sized infrastructure, and designing roads and bridges with these changing conditions in mind.



As we continue to observe the effects of climate change, studies like this one from Dartmouth are invaluable in shaping our understanding and response to these global changes. With this research, we gain more insight into the climate of the future - allowing us to better prepare and adapt to a world where the weather promises to be far more unpredictable than we've ever known.



<h2 id="h-how-climate-change-impacts-extreme-weather-events">How climate change impacts extreme weather events</h2>



Climate change is transforming our planet in profound and wide-ranging ways, influencing the frequency, intensity, and duration of extreme weather events. These changes are due to the warming effect of increased greenhouse gas emissions, primarily carbon dioxide and methane, trapping more heat in the Earth's atmosphere.



Here's a breakdown of some ways climate change influences extreme weather:



<h3 id="h-heatwaves">Heatwaves&nbsp;</h3>



As global temperatures rise, heatwaves have become more frequent and intense. These prolonged periods of excessively hot weather can lead to droughts, wildfires, and significant impacts on human health and agriculture.



<h3 id="h-heavy-rainfall-and-flooding">Heavy Rainfall and Flooding</h3>



Climate change intensifies the water cycle. Warmer air can hold more moisture, which can result in more intense rainfall, leading to an increased risk of flooding. This was precisely the conclusion of the Dartmouth study we previously discussed.



<h3 id="h-droughts">Droughts&nbsp;</h3>



While some areas experience increased rainfall, others undergo prolonged periods of dryness. Changes in weather patterns and decreased rainfall can lead to severe droughts. These droughts can harm agriculture, deplete water sources, and create conditions ideal for wildfires.



<h3 id="h-hurricanes-and-tropical-storms">Hurricanes and Tropical Storms</h3>



As the ocean's surface temperature rises, hurricanes and tropical storms can become more intense. Warm water fuels these storms, so higher temperatures can lead to storms with stronger winds and heavier rainfall.



<h3 id="h-wildfires">Wildfires&nbsp;</h3>



Increased temperatures and changes in precipitation patterns can make forests drier and more susceptible to wildfires. When combined with extended periods of drought, the risk of wildfires significantly increases.



<h3 id="h-snowstorms-and-cold-waves">Snowstorms and Cold Waves</h3>



Although climate change generally leads to warmer temperatures, it can also cause extreme cold events. This happens because warming in the Arctic can disrupt the polar vortex, a large area of cold air and low pressure at the North Pole, causing frigid air to spill into lower latitudes.



<h3 id="h-sea-level-rise">Sea-Level Rise</h3>



While not a weather event, the melting of polar ice caps due to rising global temperatures results in a rise in sea levels. This increases the risk of coastal flooding, particularly during storms.



It's important to understand that climate change doesn't create extreme weather events out of thin air, but instead, it modifies existing weather patterns, making them more severe, more frequent, or both.&nbsp;



These shifts in weather patterns can have profound effects on ecosystems, agriculture, infrastructure, and human life, making it critical for us to understand and mitigate the impact of climate change.



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Heavy rainfall events in the Northeast are set to increase by over 50 percent

As the world heats up, climatic changes are becoming more...

When we think about pollutants spewed from our daily commute, exhaust fumes tend to be the first thing that springs to mind. But a startling new study from the <a href="https://www.acs.org/">American Chemical Society</a> challenges this assumption, spotlighting an underappreciated source of vehicular emissions: windshield washer fluid.



This study suggests that windshield washer fluid's alcoholic content contributes significantly more to real-world vehicle <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/carbon-emissions-from-fertilizers-could-be-cut-by-80-percent/">emissions</a> than previously thought. The researchers argue that even as more and more drivers switch from gasoline to electric vehicles, the emission levels of these non-fuel-derived gases will likely remain consistent.



Over the past two decades, average carbon dioxide emissions from cars have seen a marked decrease. A report from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency indicates a 25 percent drop since the early 2000s. However, carbon dioxide is merely one component of the emissions problem.



The villainous roster of pollutants also includes volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs, a category of carbon-based molecules that easily vaporize, contribute significantly to ozone formation. Although exhaust gases emit some VOCs, car-care products, including windshield washer fluid, are another significant source.



Existing estimates from a comprehensive inventory of manufacturer statistics in the U.K. indicate that these car-care products may be a more substantial source of VOCs than exhaust. Yet, until now, no experimental verification existed.&nbsp;



Samuel Cliff and his team decided to fill this gap by measuring the vaporized windshield washer fluid ingredients emitted by cars on real-world roads, comparing these figures to the existing inventory estimates.



The team, equipped with several instruments including a mass spectrometer, stationed a van near a busy roadway to record the VOCs released by passing vehicles. They compared these readings to measurements taken at a university site with minimal traffic to calculate the average amount of vapor emitted per car for each kilometer traveled for key VOCs.



Their observations painted a fascinating picture. The measurements for aromatic compounds, which are commonly monitored and regulated, matched the inventory estimates.&nbsp;



However, the alcohol readings, critical components in windshield washer fluid, surpassed the inventory figures. The released amounts of two alcohols, ethanol and methanol, were almost double that of all VOCs emitted through exhaust.



This stark discrepancy in alcohol emissions suggested that including solvents from car-care products in inventory estimations could lead to a more accurate assessment of vehicle-derived pollutants. This would, therefore, indicate that these products are a significant, if overlooked, source of vehicular pollutants.



This revelation has profound implications for future regulatory policy. Electric vehicles might emit fewer fuel-derived pollutants, but windshield washing is an unavoidable part of vehicle maintenance. Therefore, car care products' emissions will persist, demanding attention and suitable regulatory measures.



The study, which is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.3c00845">Environmental Science &amp; Technology</a>,&nbsp; received funding from the U.K. Natural Environment Research Council and the Panorama Natural Environment Research Council Doctoral Training Partnership.



<h2 id="h-more-about-windshield-wiper-fluid">More about windshield wiper fluid</h2>



Windshield wiper fluid, also known as windshield washer fluid or wiper fluid, is a liquid used in conjunction with the wiper blades of a vehicle to clean the windshield. This fluid helps to remove dirt, insects, bird droppings, and other debris that may accumulate on a windshield during travel.



The fluid's primary components include water, alcohol such as methanol, ethylene glycol, or ethanol, and detergents. Some variations may also include antifreeze components for use in cold climates, where it's important that the fluid doesn't freeze upon contact with the windshield or within the reservoir of the vehicle.



The alcohol content in windshield washer fluid serves as both a cleaning agent and an antifreeze agent. Methanol and ethanol help to break down grime and dirt while preventing the fluid from freezing in cold conditions.



<h3 id="h-use-caution-with-wiper-fluid">Use caution with wiper fluid</h3>



Despite its usefulness, it's important to handle windshield wiper fluid carefully. For instance, methanol, a common ingredient, is considered toxic and can be harmful or fatal if ingested. It can also irritate the skin and eyes, which is why it's recommended to use caution when filling up your car's wiper fluid reservoir.



As highlighted by the study in your previous question, windshield wiper fluid can also contribute to environmental pollution. When used, the alcohol and other volatile organic compounds in the fluid can evaporate into the atmosphere, contributing to air pollution.



Lastly, given its potential environmental impact, some manufacturers are now producing "eco-friendly" windshield washer fluids. These use plant-derived ingredients and avoid harmful substances like methanol. While they may not always be as effective in extreme weather conditions, they provide a more sustainable option for drivers concerned about their environmental footprint.



<h2 id="h-about-the-acs">About the ACS</h2>



The American Chemical Society (ACS) is a nonprofit organization chartered by the U.S. Congress. ACS’ mission is to advance the broader chemistry enterprise and its practitioners for the benefit of Earth and all its people. The Society is a global leader in promoting excellence in science education and providing access to chemistry-related information and research through its multiple research solutions, peer-reviewed journals, scientific conferences, eBooks and weekly news periodical&nbsp;Chemical &amp; Engineering News.&nbsp;



ACS journals are among the most cited, most trusted and most read within the scientific literature; however, ACS itself does not conduct chemical research. As a leader in scientific information solutions, its CAS division partners with global innovators to accelerate breakthroughs by curating, connecting and analyzing the world’s scientific knowledge. ACS’ main offices are in Washington, D.C., and Columbus, Ohio.



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Windshield wiper fluid accounts for large percentage of toxic vehicle emissions

When we think about pollutants spewed from our daily commute,...

In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists from the <a href="https://www.swri.org/">Southwest Research Institute</a> (SwRI) have identified a mammoth plume of water vapor, spanning over 6,000 miles, gushing from Saturn's moon Enceladus.&nbsp;



This observation was made using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), and the plume's enormity is tantamount to the distance between the U.S. and Japan.



Led by Dr. Christopher Glein, the team has unveiled this remarkable discovery as part of NASA JWST Cycle 1. The experts will probe the plume and the moon's chemical compounds more in-depth in an effort to gauge Enceladus's potential habitability.



<h2 id="h-ocean-of-liquid-water-under-the-surface">Ocean of liquid water under the surface</h2>



Enceladus, a satellite known to have a subsurface ocean of liquid water, was under the observation of the Cassini spacecraft for 13 long years. This journey led to the revelation of the moon's icy surface, which occasionally shoots out plumes of ice grains and water vapor into the cosmos.



"Enceladus is one of the most dynamic objects in the solar system and is a prime target in humanity’s search for life beyond Earth," said Dr. Glein, who is renowned for his expertise in extraterrestrial oceanography. "In the years since NASA’s Cassini spacecraft first looked at Enceladus, we never cease to be amazed by what we find is happening on this extraordinary moon."



In this awe-inspiring expedition, the Near InfraRed Spectrograph of the Webb made noteworthy observations.



<h2 id="h-shock-and-awe-from-the-research-team">Shock and awe from the research team</h2>



Geronimo Villanueva from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center</a> said: “When I was looking at the data, at first, I was thinking I had to be wrong, it was just so shocking to map a plume more than 20 times the diameter of the moon. The plume extends far beyond what we could have imagined."



Webb’s sensitivity managed to unfold a new narrative about Enceladus. The moon, while orbiting <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/saturn-now-leads-the-solar-system-moon-race-with-145/">Saturn</a> in a brisk 33 hours, scatters water, forming a donut-like halo in its trail. The findings revealed that this mammoth plume permeates Saturn’s dense E-ring. The JWST data indicates that while about 30 percent of the water lingers in the moon's wake, the other 70 percent drifts away to enrich the rest of the Saturnian system.



Dr. Silvia Protopapa, an icy bodies composition expert from SwRI, explained: “The Webb observations, for the first time, are visually illustrating how the moon's water vapor plumes are playing a role in the formation of the torus. This serves as a stunning testament to Webb's extraordinary abilities. I'm thrilled to be part of the Cycle 2 team as we initiate our search for new indications of habitability and plume activity on Enceladus.”



In light of these astounding revelations, Dr. Glein and his team are gearing up to conduct further studies on Enceladus using the JWST in the upcoming year.



“We will search for specific indicators of habitability, such as organic signatures and hydrogen peroxide," explained Dr. Glein. "Hydrogen peroxide is particularly interesting because it can provide much more potent sources of metabolic energy than what we previously identified. Cassini didn't give us a clear answer on the availability of such strong oxidants on Enceladus.”



<h2 id="h-looking-for-signs-of-life-on-enceladus">Looking for signs of life on Enceladus</h2>



This new endeavor will enhance the potential to spot signs of habitability on the surface and will amplify the signal-to-noise ratio up to ten times compared to Cycle 1. Recognizing the temporal variability of plume outgassing is crucial for future planetary missions targeting the plume.



"Webb can serve as a bridge between Cassini and the proposed search-for-life mission, Orbilander," said Dr. Glein. He expressed that after Cycle 2, we might have a clearer understanding of whether ocean samples are widely distributed across Enceladus’s surface, or concentrated near the south pole.



“These next observations could help us determine if Orbilander can access ocean samples near the equator, which may help us get back to Enceladus sooner,” said Dr. Glein, expressing the team's enthusiasm and hope for the subsequent explorations.



This momentous discovery underscores not only our advancing technological capabilities but also our relentless pursuit of unraveling the mysteries of our universe. The towering plume of water vapor on Enceladus offers a captivating glimpse into what lies beyond our earthly domain, raising the fascinating possibility of life existing in the far reaches of our solar system. As scientists delve further into these investigations, we eagerly await the revelations that lie ahead.



<h2 id="h-more-about-enceladus">More about Enceladus</h2>



Saturn's moon Enceladus is one of the most intriguing objects in our solar system due to its geologic activity and potential habitability.&nbsp;



Discovered in 1789 by William Herschel, it's the sixth-largest moon of Saturn, with a diameter of about 500 kilometers (roughly 310 miles), making it small enough to fit within the length of the United Kingdom.



<h3 id="h-key-information-about-enceladus">Key information about Enceladus:</h3>



<h4 id="h-icy-surface">Icy surface</h4>



Enceladus is one of the brightest objects in our solar system due to its surface being composed of mostly clean, fresh ice, which reflects nearly 100% of the sunlight that strikes it. This icy surface is believed to sit atop a global ocean of liquid water.



<h4 id="h-geologic-activity">Geologic activity</h4>



Enceladus is geologically active, with the most evident sign being the plumes of water vapor that spray into space from its surface. These plumes originate from the so-called "tiger stripes" near the moon's south pole - these are warm fissures in the icy crust, where the internal heat of Enceladus escapes.



<h4 id="h-subsurface-ocean">Subsurface ocean</h4>



The Cassini mission, run by NASA, ESA (European Space Agency), and ASI (Italian Space Agency), made the groundbreaking discovery that a salty ocean exists beneath Enceladus's icy surface. This liquid water ocean likely covers the entire moon, sitting between the core and the ice.



<h4 id="h-signs-of-hydrothermal-activity">Signs of hydrothermal activity</h4>



Enceladus has also shown signs of hydrothermal activity. Analysis of the moon's plumes by the Cassini spacecraft detected molecular hydrogen, a potential sign of hydrothermal reactions between the moon's rocky core and its ocean. This type of reaction is known to support microbial life at the bottom of Earth's oceans.



<h4 id="h-potential-for-life">Potential for life</h4>



Given the presence of a global ocean, heat, and organic molecules, Enceladus is considered one of the best places to look for extraterrestrial life within our solar system.



<h4 id="h-e-ring-of-saturn">E-ring of Saturn</h4>



The plumes from Enceladus are responsible for creating Saturn's E-ring, as the moon spews out icy particles that then orbit Saturn.



<h4 id="h-gravity-and-orbital-resonance">Gravity and orbital resonance</h4>



Enceladus orbits Saturn at a distance of 238,000 kilometers (roughly 148,000 miles), closer than our Moon orbits Earth. Its orbit is kept stable due to a 2:1 mean-motion orbital resonance with another of Saturn's moons, Dione. This means that for every orbit Dione completes, Enceladus completes two.



Remember that much of what we know about Enceladus comes from the Cassini mission, which explored the Saturn system from 2004 until its deliberate plunge into Saturn in 2017. As of my knowledge cut-off in September 2021, additional exploration missions like the James Webb Space Telescope will provide even more exciting insights into this intriguing moon.



<h2 id="h-more-about-james-webb-telescope">More about James Webb Telescope</h2>



The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), often dubbed as the successor to the Hubble Space Telescope, is one of the most ambitious space observatories ever constructed.&nbsp;



<h3 id="h-key-details-about-the-jwst">Key details about the JWST:</h3>



<h4 id="h-partnership-project">Partnership project</h4>



JWST is an international collaboration between NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). It's named after James E. Webb, who served as Undersecretary of State and Administrator of NASA from 1961 to 1968 and was a major advocate for space exploration.



<h4 id="h-launch-and-operation">Launch and operation</h4>



As of my last knowledge cutoff in September 2021, the launch was scheduled for December 2021. The JWST will be positioned near the second Lagrange point (L2), approximately 1.5 million kilometers (about 930,000 miles) from Earth – a position that allows it to stay in line with the Earth as it orbits the Sun.



<h4 id="h-mission-goals">Mission goals</h4>



The primary science goals of JWST are to study the formation of stars and galaxies, understand the formation of stellar and planetary systems, and investigate the potential for life in other planetary systems.



<h4 id="h-technology-and-instruments">Technology and instruments</h4>



JWST features a range of technologies and instruments that far surpass the capabilities of the Hubble Space Telescope. Its primary mirror, at 6.5 meters (21 feet) in diameter, is over two and a half times larger than Hubble's, allowing it to collect significantly more light.



<h4 id="h-infrared-focus">Infrared focus</h4>



JWST is primarily an infrared observatory, allowing it to see through dust clouds where stars are born, observe distant galaxies whose light has been redshifted into the infrared part of the spectrum, and study objects within our own solar system in extraordinary detail.



<h4 id="h-instruments">Instruments</h4>



JWST has four main instruments: The Near Infrared Camera (NIRCam), the Near-Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec), the Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI), and the Fine Guidance Sensor/Near InfraRed Imager and Slitless Spectrograph (FGS/NIRISS). These instruments will allow astronomers to perform a wide range of observations.



<h4 id="h-sunshield">Sunshield</h4>



JWST features a large, five-layer sunshield that is vital for its operation. This sunshield protects the telescope from the heat and light of the Sun, Earth, and Moon, keeping its instruments cooled down enough to observe faint infrared emissions.



The JWST represents a major leap forward in our capabilities to observe the universe, and the scientific community eagerly awaits the wealth of data and discoveries it will generate.



Image Credit: NASA



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Life on Saturn’s moon Enceladus? Massive water plume has scientists wondering

In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists from the Southwest Research Institute...

Astronomers have long known that our warm and yellow sun is a relative rarity in our galaxy, with the most common stars in the Milky Way being considerably smaller and cooler, and sporting just half of the mass of our sun at most. Although billions of planets orbit these common dwarf stars, in order to be warm enough to be habitable, they would need to huddle very close to their small stars, leaving them susceptible to extreme tidal forces.



Now, by using data collected by the Kepler and Gaia telescopes, which capture information about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-class-of-exoplanets-discovered/">exoplanets</a> as they move in front of their host stars, a team of astronomers led by the <a href="https://www.ufl.edu/">University of Florida</a> has found that two-thirds of the planets orbiting these ubiquitous small stars are probably roasted by these tidal forces, leaving them uninhabitable.&nbsp;



However, one third of them – meaning hundreds of millions across the entire galaxy – could be in a so-called “goldilocks orbit” that is close enough and gentle enough to hold onto liquid water and thus possibly harbor life.



“I think this result is really important for the next decade of exoplanet research, because eyes are shifting toward this population of stars,” said study lead author Sheila Sagear, a doctoral student in Astronomy at UF. “These stars are excellent targets to look for small planets in an orbit where it’s conceivable that water might be liquid and therefore the planet might be habitable.”



<h2 id="h-how-the-research-was-conducted">How the research was conducted&nbsp;</h2>



The experts measured the eccentricity of over 150 planets around these M dwarf stars, which are about the size of Jupiter. The greater the oval shape of an orbit, the higher its eccentricity.&nbsp;



When a planet orbits in close proximity to its star - similar to Mercury’s distance from the sun - an eccentric orbit can lead to a phenomenon called tidal heating. Due to the varying gravitational forces acting on the planet as a result of its irregular orbit, it experiences stretching and deformation, which generates friction and subsequently raises its temperature. In the most extreme cases, this heating process can result in the planet being completely “baked,” eliminating any possibility of liquid water.



“It’s only for these small stars that the zone of habitability is close enough for these tidal forces to be relevant,” explained senior author Sarah Ballard, a professor of Astronomy at UF.&nbsp;



To measure the planets’ orbits, Ballard and Sagear used data collected by the Kepler telescope, focusing particularly on how long the planets took to move across the face of the stars. In addition, they also relied on new data from the Gaia telescope that measured the distance to billions of stars in our galaxy. “The distance is really the key piece of information we were missing before that allows us to do this analysis now,” Sagear said.



<h2 id="h-what-the-researchers-discovered">What the researchers discovered</h2>



The investigation revealed that stars with multiple planets were the most likely to have the type of circular orbits allowing them to retain liquid water. By contrast, stars with only one planet were more often experiencing tidal extremes sterilizing the surface of the planet.



Since one third of the planets in this small sample had gentle enough orbits to potentially host liquid water, our galaxy may contain hundreds of millions of planets where life could develop.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2217398120">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



<h2 id="h-what-makes-a-planet-habitable">What makes a planet habitable?</h2>



A habitable planet is one that has conditions that are "just right" for life as we understand it. However, the exact conditions required for a planet to be habitable can depend on a variety of factors, some of which we may not yet fully understand.



Generally, though, scientists consider a few main factors when considering if a planet is potentially habitable:



<h3 id="h-distance-from-its-star">Distance from its star</h3>



The planet needs to be at the right distance from its star where it's not too hot and not too cold. This region is often called the "habitable zone" or the "Goldilocks zone." If a planet is in its star's habitable zone, it could potentially have liquid water on its surface, a key ingredient for life as we know it.



<h3 id="h-presence-of-water">Presence of water</h3>



Liquid water is essential for life as we know it. Therefore, for a planet to be considered habitable, there must be a likelihood of the presence of water. This means the planet should not only be in the habitable zone of its star but also have the right atmospheric pressure to maintain water in liquid form.



<h3 id="h-stable-atmosphere">Stable atmosphere</h3>



A planet needs a stable and suitable atmosphere for life to exist. The atmosphere plays a role in maintaining the right temperature range and pressure for liquid water. It also helps protect the planet (and any potential life) from harmful radiation from space.



<h3 id="h-suitable-size-and-composition">Suitable size and composition</h3>



The planet needs to be of the right size and composition. It should be rocky (like Earth), and have a sufficient mass to maintain its atmosphere. Planets that are too small (like Mars) can lose their atmospheres over time.



<h3 id="h-geological-activity">Geological activity</h3>



Geological activity such as volcanism and tectonic activity can play a role in maintaining a planet's habitability over long timescales, by cycling important elements and maintaining a planet's magnetic field.



<h3 id="h-stable-orbit-and-rotation">Stable orbit and rotation</h3>



A planet with a stable orbit and rotation is more likely to have a stable climate. A stable rotation could prevent temperature extremes between day and night.



<h3 id="h-magnetic-field">Magnetic field</h3>



A strong magnetic field can protect a planet's atmosphere from being stripped away by solar wind, and shield the surface from harmful cosmic and solar radiation.



It is important to note that these are the conditions necessary for life as we know it. There could be other forms of life that have adapted to conditions we would find inhospitable.



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By <a href="mailto:andrei.ionescu5891@gmail.com">Andrei Ionescu</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer



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One third of our galaxy’s planets could be habitable

Astronomers have long known that our warm and yellow sun...

In a recent study conducted in the lowland rainforests along the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, researchers have unraveled fascinating details about the behavior and activity patterns of two sympatric sloth species, Bradypus variegatus and Choloepus hoffmanni. These revelations not only shed light on the ecological dynamics of these intriguing creatures, but also highlight their remarkable ability to adapt to a myriad of environmental conditions.



The elusive nature of sloths has historically posed significant challenges to conducting long-term observational research on them. A team led by Dr. Rebecca Cliffe, Founder and Executive Director of <a href="https://slothconservation.org/">The Sloth Conservation Foundation</a>, set out to use micro data loggers to continuously monitor the activities of both three-toed (Bradypus) and two-toed (Choloepus) sloths.&nbsp;



The observation period spanned over days to weeks, which allowed the researchers to explore how these slow-moving <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-will-happen-if-modern-large-mammals-become-extinct/">mammals</a> adjusted their activities in response to fluctuating environmental conditions and how such behavior correlated with their unique low-energy lifestyle.



Published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15430">PeerJ Life &amp; Environment</a>, the study's findings reveal that both Bradypus and Choloepus sloths display cathemeral activity patterns, which are marked by irregular and variable periods of activity throughout the 24-hour day. This behavior pattern allows the sloths to optimize favorable environmental conditions while minimizing their exposure to predation.



One of the most intriguing findings of this study was the significant variability observed in the activity levels of the sloths. Such flexibility is suggestive of the various strategies these sloths have evolved to adapt to their surroundings, which improves the odds of survival in fluctuating environmental conditions.



Contrary to initial expectations, the researchers found that the daily temperature did not notably influence the sloths' activity. However, the Bradypus sloths displayed an interesting trait: they were more active at night when the temperature dropped, and the nights following colder days saw increased nocturnal activity as well. This observation implies a potential link between temperature variations and the behavioral tendencies of these sloths.



Dr. Cliffe stressed how vital this research is for conservation efforts and for better understanding the repercussions of anthropogenic activities and climate change on the tropical ecosystems of South and Central America. As these ecosystems become increasingly vulnerable, understanding the behavioral ecology of their inhabitants, such as sloths, becomes vital for formulating effective conservation strategies.



The use of micro data loggers in this study has undoubtedly offered unprecedented insights into the behavioral patterns and adaptations of these enigmatic creatures, demonstrating a revolutionary way to investigate the behavioral ecology of elusive species. These findings not only contribute valuable knowledge about sloth ecology, but also underline the importance of preserving and protecting tropical rainforests and their unique inhabitants.



<h2 id="h-more-about-sloths">More about sloths</h2>



Sloths are fascinating creatures that inhabit the tropical rainforests of Central and South America. Belonging to the family Bradypodidae, there are six species of sloths, divided into two groups: the two-toed sloths and the three-toed sloths.



Sloths are arboreal mammals known for their slow movements and unique energy-saving adaptations. These adaptations are part of their survival strategy, as they allow sloths to spend most of their lives in trees, feeding on leaves, twigs, and buds. Their low-energy diet and slow metabolism allow them to conserve energy, which is critical for their survival in resource-poor environments.



One of the most distinctive traits of sloths is their ability to hang from branches with their strong and long claws. This behavior helps protect them from predators like eagles and jaguars. Additionally, sloths are excellent swimmers and can drop from a tree into a river to swim across it.



Sloths have a highly unusual trait: they have the lowest and most variable body temperature of any mammal, ranging from 24 to 33 degrees Celsius. This variability allows them to better regulate their energy usage. Also, sloths only descend from their tree dwellings about once a week to defecate and urinate, a unique behavior among arboreal mammals.



Sloths have a symbiotic relationship with the algae that grow on their fur. The algae provide sloths with camouflage, helping them blend in with the green foliage of their habitat and avoid predators. In return, sloths provide the algae with shelter and water. Additionally, the fur of sloths houses a variety of insects, including beetles and moths.



Sloths are not just slow movers, but they also sleep a lot. Depending on the species, sloths sleep for around 15 to 20 hours a day. This extreme sleep schedule is another energy-saving adaptation.



Conservation efforts are crucial for sloths as they face numerous threats from deforestation, habitat fragmentation, and illegal pet trade. While some sloth species are listed as vulnerable, others, like the critically endangered Pygmy Three-toed Sloth, are on the brink of extinction. Therefore, understanding the behavior and ecological needs of sloths, as demonstrated in the study conducted by Dr. Rebecca Cliffe and her team, is key to ensuring their survival.



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Study reveals the secret survival strategies of sloths

In a recent study conducted in the lowland rainforests along...

In an era of heightened environmental awareness, a new study has shed light on the complex interplay between food production and biodiversity. The research reveals that our quest to feed the world could inadvertently be driving the loss of biodiversity at an alarming rate.



The study focuses on the environmental footprint of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/computational-tools-may-improve-the-future-of-farming/">farming</a>, particularly when it comes to food staples like beef, which are notorious for their substantial carbon emissions. Now, new evidence suggests that these same dietary essentials may contribute significantly to the loss of biodiversity.



Study senior author Keiichiro Kanemoto, an associate professor at the <a href="https://www.chikyu.ac.jp/rihn_e/">Research Institute for Humanity and Nature</a> (RIHN) in Kyoto, Japan, noted that, "Food production remains the main cause of biodiversity loss.”



According to the researchers, the problem intensifies when food production encroaches upon areas of high conservation priority. A prevailing issue is the lack of data that could outline which products and countries contribute most to this biodiversity decline.



The researchers set out to bridge this data gap by merging information on agricultural land use and species habitats. They have now identified the agricultural crops exerting the greatest pressure on biodiversity.



The study, published in the <a href="https://www.pnas.org/">Proceedings of the National Academies of Science</a>, ranks commodities based on whether they are sourced from high conservation priority regions. While previous studies have attempted to quantify the carbon, land, and water footprints of the agriculture industry, the threat that farming poses to biodiversity has been less understood, and often overlooked.



The new findings will inform policies designed to strike a balance between preserving biodiversity and maintaining global food security. The research data, encompassing 50 agricultural products sourced from 200 countries, has been made publicly available on Google Earth Engine, a platform often utilized for environmental analyses.



The international research team, with members from Norway, the Netherlands, and Japan, further segmented agricultural areas into four tiers based on their conservation priority. The highest conservation priority was assigned to areas where staple commodities like beef, rice, and soybeans were predominantly produced. Conversely, other staples like barley and wheat were found to be more commonly sourced from areas of lower conservation priority.



Daniel Moran is a senior scientist at the Climate and Environmental Institute NILU and a research professor at the <a href="https://www.ntnu.edu/">Norwegian University of Science and Technology</a>'s (NTNU) Industrial Ecology Programme. “A surprising takeaway for me was how much the impact of the same crop can vary based on where it is sourced from,” said Professor Moran.



The study pointed out striking discrepancies in where certain crops are grown. For example, beef and soybeans are produced in high conservation priority areas in Brazil, but not in North America.



The influence of international trade was also highlighted, as the study revealed the significant role of affluent nations like the US in driving agricultural demand in high conservation priority areas. The research revealed how different nations exhibit vastly different biodiversity food footprints. Countries like the United States, EU, China, and Japan heavily depend on imports to meet their beef and dairy consumption needs.



The researchers also touched on the looming threat of climate change. With rising temperatures projected to alter cropping patterns and available habitats, they used their model to examine future scenarios to understand how the relationship between wild biodiversity and farming might evolve.



The experts predict that as the world grows warmer, species will colonize new territories, potentially opening up fresh high conservation priority areas while mitigating conflicts in existing conservation hotspots.



“Our spatial approach is a valuable complementary method with other standard techniques to evaluate the impact agriculture has on biodiversity. The knowledge gained from our study should help reduce the trade-off many nations associate with agriculture production and environmental protection,” said Kanemoto. “It fills in a big missing piece in the footprint of food.”



“Our lifestyles are causing alarming damage to the atmosphere and water supplies. Farmers and governments worldwide are seeking policies that sustain prosperity while minimizing irreversible harm to the environment. Similar sustainable development policies are needed for agriculture. The calculation of detailed footprints for food and other farmed commodities is crucial to support these policies,” said Professor Moran.



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Feeding the world at a cost: Food production and biodiversity loss

In an era of heightened environmental awareness, a new study...

According to a new study led by the <a href="https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/index.aspx">University of Birmingham</a> and the <a href="https://www.bas.ac.uk/">British Antarctic Survey</a> (BAS), a tiny flightless midge (Eretmoptera murphyi) that has recently colonized Antarctica’s Signy Island is currently driving major changes to the island’s soil ecosystem. This <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tweets-provide-insights-on-how-invasive-insects-spread/">invasive insect</a> significantly increasing the rates of plant decomposition, resulting in three to five-fold rises in soil nitrate levels compared to sites housing only native invertebrates.



“Antarctic soils are very nutrient limited systems because decomposition rates are so slow. The nutrients are there, but it has taken this invasive midge to unlock them on Signy Island. It is an ‘ecosystem engineer’ in a similar way to earthworms in temperate soil systems,” said lead author Jesamine Bartlett, a field ecologist at Birmingham.



“Up until now, low nutrient availability has been as much of a barrier to the establishment of certain terrestrial species in Antarctica as low temperatures or low moisture availability. So the activity of&nbsp;Eretmoptera&nbsp;on Signy, in combination with climate change, potentially ‘opens the door’ for other species to become established which can further accelerate ecosystem change,” added senior author Scott Hayward, a senior lecturer in Biosciences at the same university.



E. murphyi is a native of South Georgia (an island in the sub-Antarctic region), and was first introduced to Signy Island accidentally during a botany experiment in the 1960s. 



After the insect had massively proliferated in the 1980s, the levels of nitrates measured in soil colonized by this midge was comparable to that found close to seal wallows – an amazing phenomenon most likely due to the fact that population densities of midge larvae can reach in excess of 20,000 individuals per m2&nbsp;in some locations. 



Since it can ride on the soles of boots of researchers and tourists, and can survive in sea water for extended periods of time, the insect is expected to soon reach and colonize other islands.



“Physiologically,&nbsp;Eretmoptera&nbsp;has the capacity to survive in many other locations in Antarctica, so monitoring its spread on Signy, and associated ecosystem impacts is important and remains part of our ongoing research,” Hayward said.



“A particular feature of the Antarctic is that it has had very few invading species so far and protecting this ecosystem is a very high priority. While at some level, there’s plenty of awareness of the implications of invading species, this research really highlights how the tiniest of animals can still have a hugely significant impact,” concluded co-author Peter Convey, an expert in Polar Ecology at BAS.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.soilbio.2023.108965">Soil Biology and Biochemistry</a>.



<h2 id="h-more-about-antarctic-soils">More about Antarctic soils</h2>



Antarctic soils are quite different from the soils found in most other regions of the world due to the unique climate and ecological conditions of the Antarctic region.



Antarctica is the coldest, driest, and windiest continent on Earth. Most of Antarctica is covered by ice. The ice-free regions are mainly found in the coastal areas and in the Dry Valleys region of East Antarctica.



Due to the extreme cold, dry, and windy conditions, soil formation processes in Antarctica are very slow compared to those in other parts of the world. These soils also receive very little organic input because there are few organisms (primarily limited to bacteria, lichens, and mosses) capable of surviving in the harsh Antarctic conditions.



The most common types of soil in Antarctica are called "Cryosols". Cryosols are permanently frozen soils (permafrost) that are characterized by ice formations and by the processes, signs and impacts of freezing and thawing. Because of the extreme conditions, Cryosols in Antarctica are often further classified as "Hyperskeletic" (more than 90% coarse material), "Skeletic" (40-90% coarse material), or "Leptic" (thin soils with a maximum thickness of 10 cm over bedrock).



Antarctic soils are also characterized by low nutrient content, high salinity in some areas, and the presence of unique features such as patterned ground and polygonal soil structures caused by freeze-thaw cycles.



These soils are important for studying past climate conditions and for understanding the limits of life on Earth. Because they are so unique and fragile, they are also protected by international treaty (the Antarctic Treaty System) from damage or contamination.



Despite the inhospitable conditions, Antarctic soils harbor diverse microbial communities. These microbes have adapted to survive and thrive in the extreme cold, dryness, and high UV radiation. They play a crucial role in nutrient cycling and organic matter decomposition in these soils, and their study provides insights into the possibilities of life in extreme environments, including other planets.



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By <a href="mailto:andrei.ionescu5891@gmail.com">Andrei Ionescu</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer



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Invasive insect is transforming Antarctic soils, paving the way for new species

According to a new study led by the University of...

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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



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Designing crops that can beat the heat

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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



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Remote sensing will revolutionize the way we monitor trees

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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 



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Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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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



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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



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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



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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



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Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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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



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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



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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



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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



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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



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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



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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



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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



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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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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



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Kangerlussuaq Glacier on the Greenland ice sheet

[sendtonews key="EPdZexVR30-1731237-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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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

[sendtonews key="uwirCufwYv-2012371-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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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

[sendtonews key="JrMLDXHmjl-1911953-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

Aerial,Photo,Of,River,In,Amazon,Rainforest,Jungle,In,Peru

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Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center</a> describes how scientists are using autonomous sound sensors to monitor deforestation in the Amazon. By recording soundscapes, the experts can determine which animals are present through their distinct sounds.&nbsp;



Using this method, sounds can be used as scientific measurements to analyze the effects of deforestation. The researchers will gain a better understanding of how the acoustics of a forest can be used to measure its health.&nbsp;



"From space, parts of the Amazon rainforest that have previously been logged or burned may look lush and green, like a place buzzing with activity and full of sounds. But inside the rainforest, the animal life may tell a different story, of a harsh environment and a quieter soundscape," says NASA.



Video Credit: NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center&nbsp;



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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 deforestation in the Amazon through sounds

[sendtonews key="u0TYxxqfF7-2186404-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from NASA’s...