Weddell seal moms sacrifice their diving capacity to provide iron to their pups
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Published: 2 August 2022
Weddell seal mothers transfer large amounts of iron to pups during lactation, sacrificing their own diving ability. This natural trade-off could leave them more vulnerable as climate change shifts ocean productivity patterns.
Keywords: Weddell seals, iron transfer, lactation, dive capacity, climate change, ocean productivity
Geological carbon sequestration in mantle rocks prevents large earthquakes in parts of the San Andreas Fault
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Published: 17 August 2022
Researchers found that carbonation of serpentinite in segments of the San Andreas Fault creates talc, a weak mineral that promotes aseismic creep. This natural process may help prevent major quakes and has implications for global fault systems.
Keywords: San Andreas Fault, aseismic creep, serpentinite, carbonation, talc, CO₂-rich fluids
As oceans warm, snapping shrimp sound a warning
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Published: 18 August 2022
A WHOI study found that rising ocean temperatures increase the frequency and volume of snapping shrimp sounds, altering the marine soundscape. This change may affect species navigation, communication, and ecosystem dynamics.
Keywords: snapping shrimp, marine soundscape, ocean warming, climate change, WHOI, acoustic ecology
