Coastal Wetlands to disappear this century

Because of the climate changing and rising sea levels due to global warming, many coastal wetlands are expected to diminish. "U.S. Geological Survey scientists made this conclusion from an international research modeling effort published December 1 in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, a publication of the American Geophysical Union.". (Science Daily). 

However, this does not mean that their is no way to prevent this from happening, if sea level rising is slower than expected, coastal wetlands could possibly stay safe. But, if the sea level keeps rising, it coastal wetlands could disappear. 

This is a problem because our wetlands provide us with energy from coastal storms, support for commercial seafood industries, and help preserve our shorelines. Additionally, "Several coastal marshes along the east coast of the United States, for example, have limited sediment supplies and are likely to disappear this century." (Science Daily). 

Website and Picture:http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/12/101201134256.htm

Northwest Tidal Barrages Could Provide 5% of UK's Electricity

"Researchers in collaboration with Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory examined ways to generate electricity from tidal sources of renewable energy in the Eastern Irish Sea." (Science Daily). One way that they are able to do this is to build estuary barrages in the Northwest. A barrage can guide the water flow from an estuary to a turbine as the tide comes in an out. Another use of the barrage is that it is able to protect land from floods by draining the water.

If the UK is successful in utilizing the electricity production, it could help them to "go green" and limit  CO2 emission.It is also a good thing that the UK is able to get the electricity from the water because estuaries are a reliable and long lasting source of energy. The tides are also easier to track and more predictable than winds used by turbines. “The best places to harness tidal power at meaningful scales are areas with a high tidal range such as estuaries. Tidal barrages would alter the natural motion of an estuary’s flow as the sea level changes, usually by holding back the water at high tide and then releasing it when the tide has subsided. This water level difference across the barrage is sufficient to power turbines for up to 11 hours a day, and, in terms of the four North West barrages, the energy extracted could equate to 5% of the UK’s electricity generation needs.”(Science Daily). 

Website:http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090325092203.htm

Picture: http://www.vliz.be/v/images/thumb/6/65/800px-Severn_estuary_barrages.png/350px-800px-Severn_estuary_barrages.png

Freshwater sources found

Just as you thought the earth was running out of freshwater sources, scientists have discovered many fresh water sources on the coasts of Australia, North America, South America, and China. They are found many kilometers off the coasts and deep beneath continental shelves. According to Science Daily.com,  "A new study, published December 5th in the international scientific journal Nature, reveals that an estimated half a million cubic kilometres of low-salinity water are buried beneath the seabed on continental shelves around the world."(Science Daily). 

According to Dr. Vincent Post of the National Center for Groundwater Research, the amount of water scientists have discovered is more than we have ever gotten from below the Earth's surface since 1900. This water is plenty for many regions and can last us decades. Also, the water extracted from the ocean can be purified with a lot less energy than would be needed from salt water by the process of desalinization. 

Website:http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/12/131208085304.html

Picture:http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/12/131208085304.htm

Cold Volcanic Vent Revealed in Arctic Waters

In a remote region in the Southern Ocean, scientists at the National Oceanography Centre in South Hampton have found a shimmering volcanic vent, given away by its shimmering appearance. The scientists used a high resolution camera called SHRIMP. "The study,  funded by the National Environment Research council (NERC) aimed to build on our knowledge of how deep sea creatures associate with hydrothermal activity evolve and migrate to different  regions." (Science Daily).

The vent was thought to be exposed by the process of "chemosynthesis". This is the process of hot water being able to rise to the oceans surface. But in actuality,  the vent was uncovered because of the salinity, or differences in the properties of the water. According to Dr. Aquilina, "Geochemical measurements of the water column provided evidence of slightly reducing, localized plumes close to seafloor at Hook Ridge."

Website:http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130206093900.htm
Picture ;http://marinesciencetoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Black-smoker-at-a-mid-ocean-ridge-hydrothermal-vent.-Photo-credit-OARNational-Undersea-Research-Program-NOAA-..jpg

Melting of the Greenland ice sheet

The worlds second largest Ice Sheet, the Greenland ice sheet, is melting. The ice sheet covers approximately 80% of the area of Greenland. Its many kilometers of ancient snow allow scientists to map changes in the earth's climate, they do this by drilling holes through the surface of the sheet and by measuring air content with the help of Oxygen 18 which reveals to scientists the temperature of the air.

Specifically, "scientists have obtained information on temperature, ocean volume, precipitation, chemistry, and gas composition of the lower atmosphere, volcanic eruptions, solar variability, and sea-surface productivity." (Science Daily).

The amount of data to be collected in this area is more than any other location. In recent years, the Ice Sheet has experienced a significant amount of melting. This is most likely due to global warming and changes in ocean circulation. A major concern of the melting is that it could rise ocean levels very much. Overall, the ice sheet is approximately 600 meters lower than it was 3000 years ago.

Website:http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090916133508.htm
Website 2: http://www.sciencedaily.com/articles/g/greenland_ice_sheet.htm
Picture:http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/11/121109084055.htm

Feast and Famine on the Abyssal Plain

The primary food source in the abyssal plain (miles below the earths surface) is "marine snow". Marine snow is a slow drift of mucus,  fecal pellets, and body parts. One problem with this  "snow" is that there is too much snow than actual food in the area eaten by animals in the area, researchers have found. "A new paper by MBARI researcher Ken Smith and his colleagues show that the population booms by algae or animals near the sea surface can sometimes result in huge pulses of organic material sinking to the sea floor." (Science Daily.com) Smith, along with other researchers have studied the abyssal plain for over 20 years.

So much Marine Snow falls in that area that in a few weeks that it is equal in normal deep-sea environments. However, the amount of snow that falls in that area is not sufficient enough to provide for all of the organisms in the area.  The Abyssal Plain is located off the coast of Central California and is home to a vast variety of animals such as sea cucumbers and grenadier fish. Researchers note that the area has strong winds which can bring more nutrients to the oceans surface causing algae blooms.

Website: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/11/131111185518.htm
Picture:  http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/11/131111185518.htm

Tiger Stripes underneath Antarctic glaciers

Provided from the information give by Princeton University, friction zones occurring in wet areas underneath the Antarctic glaciers are slowing the flow of ice, causing a warming climate. Investigating how the friction areas can teach scientists how glaciers respond to a warming  climate. Just like how a speed bump would effect the speed of a car, the "Tiger Stripes" slow down the speed of glaciers.

"The friction at the interface of the bedrock and glacier ice is a major factor in the speed of the glacier." Said Sergianko, an associate research scientist at Princeton. "When friction is high, the glacier moves slowly. When friction is low, as when melting ice provides a liquid layer that allows the ice to slide over the bedrock, the glacier moves more quickly." (Science Daily)


Using mathematic data from the National snow and Ice data center, researcher discovered the locations of these areas. The tiger stripes, also referred to by researchers as "ribs" because of their  curvy form, the stripes decay over 100 by the infiltration of water that goes between the ice sheet and the bedrock.

Website: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/11/131108091341.htm
Picture:http://images.natureworldnews.com/data/images/full/3785/antarctica.jpg?w=600