An Alaskan Voyage to Track Ocean Acidification

More than a year transiting the same route reveals unexpected differences in acidification.

Aug 19, 2019 | 1,200 words, about 6 minutes

The Baltic Sea Is Nearly Free of (Some) Chernobyl Radiation

Sampling efforts show that in the Baltic Sea, the concentration of radioactive cesium-137 in the water should return to baseline levels by 2023.

Jul 31, 2019 | 500 words, about 2 minutes

Cities Acidify the Water Next Door

Coastal communities have a stronger effect on local ocean acidification than previously believed.

Jul 25, 2019 | 600 words, about 3 minutes

Scientists Want to Make Fuel and Plastic Out of Bacteria

Tiny but mighty, octillions of cyanobacteria in the ocean create diesel-like hydrocarbons in huge amounts. A team of researchers wants to know why.

Jun 21, 2019 | 850 words, about 4 minutes

Microplastics Are Highly Diverse and Those Differences Matter

The small pieces of plastics that pollute our oceans are more diverse than we make them out to be. Recognizing their variety may help us find solutions.

May 15, 2019 | 650 words, about 3 minutes

Ships Scrub Up to Meet New Pollution Standard

A new international limit for sulfur emissions is prompting a shift toward a controversial technology.

Apr 15, 2019 | 700 words, about 3 minutes

The Shells of Wild Sea Butterflies Are Already Dissolving

This long-predicted outcome of ocean acidification experiments has started showing up in the wild.

Mar 1, 2019 | 750 words, about 3 minutes

In the Future, Jellyfish Slime May Be the Solution to Microplastic Pollution

Slimy, sticky jellyfish mucus can extract gold nanoparticles from water—now scientists are working to see if its adhesive properties extend to plastics, too.

Feb 28, 2019 | 750 words, about 3 minutes