Decreases in underground plant biomass could signal future marsh loss and prompt conservation measures.
beaches, coasts, & shorelines
Policy Success: Fees and Bans on Plastic Bags Reduce Beach Trash
Regardless of the patchwork of regulations aimed at limiting plastic bag use in the United States, new research indicates that such legislation does, indeed, limit the number of plastic bags found on beaches.
Tracing Black Carbon’s Journey to the Ocean
Scientists surveyed a trio of estuaries in pursuit of a missing source of oceanic dissolved black carbon.
Tracking the Sediment Carried by the Muddy Mississippi
New research shows that typically, less than 10% of land-building alluvium reaches the Bird’s Foot Delta region, the southernmost reach of the river, where it meets the Gulf.
How Greenland’s Glacial Troughs Influence Ocean Circulation
Glacial troughs in Antarctica promote mixing of warm and cold water, affecting global climate. A new study explores whether the same is true in troughs along Greenland’s coastline.
River Alkalinization and Ocean Acidification Face Off in Coastal Waters
Factors ranging from rainfall to nutrient runoff to changing mining and agricultural practices drove decades-long pH trends in the Chesapeake Bay.
Seaweed Surges May Alter Arctic Fjord Carbon Dynamics
Climate change–accelerated seaweed growth could cause seaweed-dependent microbes to proliferate and consume more oxygen, leading to a rise in oxygen-starved zones.
Mapping the Ocean Floor with Ancient Tides
A new study uses a paleotidal model to trace the formation of carbon-rich mud deposits over thousands of years.
Flood Prediction Could Boost Road Resilience off Georgia’s Coast
Researchers and community members worked together to develop recommendations for how Little Cumberland Island can mitigate flooding hazards.
