Increased Atmospheric Dust has Masked Power of Greenhouse Gases to Warm Planet
Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Published: 20 January 2023
A new study finds that rising desert dust since the 1800s has slightly cooled the planet, partially offsetting greenhouse gas warming. Declines in dust could accelerate future warming, highlighting gaps in climate model accuracy.
Keywords: desert dust, climate cooling, greenhouse gases, atmospheric particles, global warming, climate models, Scripps/UCLA
SalpPOOP Study Highlights Biogeochemical Importance of Zooplankton Fecal Pellets
Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Published: 2 February 2023
Salp blooms in the Southern Ocean can increase carbon export to the deep ocean up to fivefold by rapidly sinking fecal pellets, enhancing carbon sequestration and complementing phytoplankton’s role in mitigating atmospheric CO₂.
Keywords: salps, carbon export, phytoplankton, Southern Ocean, deep ocean sequestration, Scripps, marine ecology
Improving Flood Forecasts on Reefy Shorelines
Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Published: 27 January 2023
Scripps researchers are using LiDAR and wave measurements to predict coastal flooding at Marine Corps Base Hawai‘i and other Pacific sites, helping assess sea-level rise impacts and guide shoreline development and climate adaptation planning.
Keywords: sea-level rise, coastal flooding, LiDAR, Marine Corps Base Hawai‘i, Scripps Oceanography, Pacific coast, wave run-up
