‘Completely unexpected’: Antarctic sea ice may be in terminal decline due to rising Southern Ocean salinity

Scientists once thought Antarctica might hold onto its sea ice as the world warmed. No longer.

Alessandro Silvano, NERC Independent Research Fellow in Oceanography, University of Southampton • conversation
June 30, 2025 ~7 min

What a 19th-century atlas teaches me about marine ecosystems

Historical maps and records from across Europe show just how much oyster beds and other marine habitats have changed over the centuries.

Ruth H. Thurstan, Associate Professor in Marine and Historical Ecology, University of Exeter • conversation
June 27, 2025 ~8 min


Island rivers carve passageways through coral reefs

Research shows these channels allow seawater and nutrients to flow in and out, helping to maintain reef health over millions of years.

Jennifer Chu | MIT News • mit
June 20, 2025 ~8 min

Trade in a mythical fish is threatening real species of rays that are rare and at risk

They look like devils and hence are called pez diablo in Spanish, but these demonic objects are dried and mutilated versions of living rays known as guitarfish.

Peter Kyne, Adjunct Senior Research Fellow in Conservation Biology, Charles Darwin University • conversation
June 16, 2025 ~8 min

Marine fungi could help feed the world and fight disease

A culture collection of more than 500 fungal strains from seawater, sediments and seaweeds is helping scientists better understand marine fungi.

Michael Cunliffe, Professor of Marine Microbiology, School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth • conversation
June 13, 2025 ~6 min

Ancient fossils show how the last mass extinction forever scrambled the ocean’s biodiversity

Not everything dies in a mass extinction. Sea life recovered in different and surprising ways after the asteroid strike 66 million years ago. Ancient fossils recorded it all.

Stewart Edie, Research Geologist and Curator of Paleobiology, Smithsonian Institution • conversation
June 10, 2025 ~10 min

Coral reefs face an uncertain recovery from the 4th global mass bleaching event – can climate refuges help?

As baby corals float in the currents, they can expand their species’ range. But can they get to climate refuges fast enough to survive? A new study has good news and bad.

Noam Vogt-Vincent, Postdoctoral Fellow in Marine Biology, University of Hawaii • conversation
June 6, 2025 ~8 min

Ocean mud locks up much of the planet’s carbon – we’re digging deep to map these ancient stores

Computer modelling past ocean conditions can help predict the location and age of carbon-rich mud.

Zoe Roseby, Postdoctoral Researcher, Seascape Carbon, University of Exeter • conversation
June 6, 2025 ~7 min


Mussel power: how an offshore shellfish farm is boosting marine life

Researchers have found that one offshore mussel farm is boosting marine biodiversity and regenerating the seabed.

Llucia Mascorda-Cabre, Postdoctoral Researcher, Applied Marine Ecosystem Research Unit, University of Plymouth • conversation
June 6, 2025 ~6 min

Study helps pinpoint areas where microplastics will accumulate

Biofilms deposited by living organisms reduce the accumulation of small particles, while areas of bare sand can be microplastics hotspots.

David L. Chandler | MIT News • mit
June 4, 2025 ~6 min

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