search
ocean ecosystems
Trends
- 1Earth's Atmosphere Has Gotten Less Dusty in Mysterious Reversal●In a mysterious reversal, Earth’s atmosphere has gotten less dusty
Scientists report that dust levels in Earth's atmosphere have declined, reversing a long-running trend. The shift is described as mysterious because its cause is not yet understood. Dust in the atmosphere affects climate, air quality and ocean ecosystems, so the change could have far-reaching implications for climate modeling.
- 2Bottom Trawling and Deep-Sea Mining Condemned as Twin Threats●What makes bottom trawling and proposed deep-sea mining twin horrors is that same fundamental mechanism: taking ecosyste
Ocean advocates are drawing a direct parallel between bottom trawling and proposed deep-sea mining, arguing both destroy ecosystems that operate on geological timescales. The argument notes that corals grow just millimeters a year and deep-sea sediments take centuries to settle, meaning damage from these activities could persist for millennia. Critics say the ocean floor cannot recover at any pace relevant to human generations.