Erosion and human activities are inducing large amounts of terrigenous sediment input to the southwest lagoon of New Caledonia. Such deposits can pose a threat to the lagoon’s ecological balance and biological richness. Scientists from the IRD’s Noumea centre have for several years been applying modelling techniques in order to unravel the system of current circulation and sediment transport (1). Satellite remote sensing provides reliable quantified data on the concentration of suspended matter
The development of a huge observing network to monitor ocean currents and temperature and understand the conditions that bring rain – and drought – to nearly two thirds of the worlds population is underway in the Indian Ocean.
The development of a huge observing network to monitor ocean currents and temperature and understand the conditions that bring rain – and drought – to nearly two thirds of the worlds population is underway in the Indian Ocean.
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Climate changes in the northern and southern hemispheres are linked by a phenomenon by which the oceans react to changes on either side of the planet. A research team from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona and the Cardiff University has shown for the first time that ocean circulation in the southern hemisphere has, in the past, adapted to sudden changes in the north. The research published today in Science will enable more accurate forecasts to be made on how the oceans will react to climate cha
Harbor Branch Biomedical Expedition to include first submersible exploration of remote Cay Sal Bank
On Monday, the Harbor Branch drug discovery group will begin a 2-week expedition to explore the Straits of Florida in search of organisms that produce chemicals with the potential to cure diseases such as cancer and Alzheimers. The work will include the first submersible exploration of the remote Cay Sal Bank, which encompasses a number of small, uninhabited islands 30 mile
Several companies are extracting black gold – petroleum – from the North Sea. But scientists are questioning this activity and asking if this activity has environmental consequences. By law, these companies are obliged to carry out annual analyses.
At the request of the companies, a number of researchers at the Science Faculty of the University of the Basque Country have analysed what type of contaminants are released as a result of extraction of crude oil in the North Sea a
Engineers at the University of Liverpool are conducting research to reduce the threat posed to homes and property by ocean waves.
Approximately 10% of people in England live in areas at risk from flooding or coastal erosion. In the absence of man-made defences such as sea walls, the annual damage to property and roads in these areas would exceed £2 billion.
Terry Hedges, from the University’s Department of Civil Engineering has produced a computer model to assess volum