Background Articles

December 3, 2018 – A new study by MBARI scientists shows that pulses of sinking debris carry large amounts of carbon to the deep seafloor, but are poorly represented in global climate models.

Western Lake Erie's annual summer algal blooms are triggered, at least in part, by cyanobacteria cells that survive the winter in lake-bottom sediments, then emerge in the spring to "seed" the next year's bloom, according to a research team led by University of Michigan scientists.

Bacteria living more than 4,000 meters (2 miles) below the surface of the Pacific Ocean are absorbing an estimated 10 percent of the carbon dioxide that oc

Reports that the sea star population was rebounding appear to have been overly optimistic, says the Coastal Ocean Research Institute.

Thriving communities of red algae are doing something nefarious to the world's ice sheets: melting them more quickly.

Thriving communities of red algae are doing something nefarious to the world's ice sheets: melting them more quickly.

Scientists say the threat from sargassum is as serious as rising sea levels and hurricanes.

Leptospirosis infections, caused by Leptospira bacteria, occur in people and animals around the world, but different strains of the bacteria may vary in their ability to cause disease and to jump between species. Now, researchers have for the first time described the characteristics of the Leptospira variants that infect cattle in Uruguay.

Zarantonelli et al. 2018. Isolation of pathogenic Leptospira strains from naturally infected cattle in Uruguay reveals high serovar diversity, and uncovers a relevant risk for human leptospirosis. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases 12 (9): e0006694 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006694

Algae isn't just causing swimmers' itch anymore; it's threatening water supplies. State regulations are starting to address it.

Scientist warns of "seagrass crisis" in Caribbeans MEXICO CITY (Rahnuma): Massive quantities of Sargassum seaweed are invading Caribbean beaches mostly thanks to global warming and countries should work closely with scientists for a sustainable solution, said a researcher at a leading Mexican university on

Sixteen water bodies were added to this week's list.

EUMETSAT satellite shows blue-green algae bloom covering Lake Okeechobee.

A persistent algae bloom in the Gulf of Mexico has become a huge threat to sea turtles, a species which is already endangered.

Harmful algae blooms are something Montana has to worry about every summer, and now there have been a couple places in central and western Montana confirmed to have the harmful blue green algae. T...

Scientists aren't sure what is causing this whirlpool of algae but believe it's likely to cause a marine dead zone.

Blue-green algae has bloomed again in Lake Okeechobee, filling waterways with putrid sludge that can contaminate local water and marine animals.

An increase in carbon emissions are showing up not only in the air, but also in water. Now researchers and shellfish farmers are teaming up to see how marine plants can help stave off the effects of ocean acidification. Special correspondent Jes Burns of Oregon Public Broadcasting reports.

A new report breaks down climate impacts on health by US region

FioRito, Rebecca, Celeste Leander, and Brian Leander. "Characterization of three novel species of Labyrinthulomycota isolated from ochre sea stars (Pisaster ochraceus." Marine Biology 163.8 (2016): 1-10.

The "unprecedented" warm water in the Pacific caused a massive toxic algae bloom from California to Alaska.