Plankton’s Ability To Sequester Carbon Is Influenced by Ocean Density, Study Shows
According to a study published in Royal Society Open Science on November 6, changes in ocean density significantly influence the ability of marine plankton to incorporate carbon into their shells. The findings, led by Dr Stergios Zarkogiannis from the Department of Earth Sciences at the University of Oxford, highlight the physical properties of the ocean, such as density and salinity, as major contributors to the carbon cycle. The study underscores the role of plankton in regulating atmospheric carbon dioxide levels, with implications for climate change.
Research Highlights Physical Drivers of Calcification
The research primarily focused on Trilobatus trilobus, a species of foraminifera, which are microscopic organisms known for their carbon-sequestering calcium carbonate shells. These shells sink to the ocean floor upon the organism’s death, contributing to long-term carbon storage. The study indicates that changes in ocean density and salinity directly influence the calcification process in these organisms.
Dr Zarkogiannis found that decreased ocean density, often caused by melting ice sheets and the influx of freshwater, reduces calcification. This response prevents the organisms from sinking, maintaining their position in the water column. This adjustment not only ensures survival but also affects ocean alkalinity, enabling increased CO2 absorption.
Techniques and Key Findings
Modern fossil samples of T. trilobus from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge were analysed using advanced imaging methods like X-ray microcomputed tomography and trace element geochemistry. The results revealed regional differences in shell thickness, with thinner shells observed in equatorial regions and thicker ones in subtropical areas where ocean density is higher.
Broader Implications for Climate Research
The findings suggest that physical ocean changes are as critical as chemical factors in determining calcification. This interplay between marine life and ocean properties could influence climate models, particularly in regions affected by ice sheet melting. Dr Zarkogiannis emphasised the importance of understanding these dynamics, noting that marine organisms play an active role in the carbon cycle by regulating buoyancy and, consequently, CO2 absorption.
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A potential new solar sail-powered satellite mission is offering an extended early warning of extreme space weather events to safely shut down the most vulnerable pieces of our tech — without waiting for them to fail mid-activity and then figuring out why. Going far beyond Earth in the traditional sense of this type of satellite, the solar sail spacecraft would provide almost 20 more minutes of warning time (up to about 60 minutes total) before some very dangerous geomagnetic storms. These eruptions, called coronal mass ejections, cause space weather events that can disrupt satellites, damage power grids, and expose astronauts to cosmic radiation through the ability to ground high-altitude commercial flights. The better the predictions, the more time for critical systems to respond, so overall it is supposed to work out.
Solar Sail Mission SWIFT Aims to Boost Space Weather Forecasting from Beyond L1 Point
According to a report published by The Conversation and contributed to Space.com, the new SWIFT (Space Weather Investigation Frontier) mission will put a satellite with a lightweight solar sail on it out at 2.1 million kilometers from Earth, which is farther than the existing L1 Lagrange point where solar wind is monitored now. That might mean a longer warning — “lead” time, in space weather speak — which would give satellite operators more time to shield their satellites, prevent astronauts from being exposed to high radiation, and allow airlines to chart the safest ways for planes.
The new solar spacecraft, Solar Cruiser, stays in orbit by a balance created from the Sun’s gravity and solar photons bounced off a reflective sail. And far larger than previous sail missions like NASA’s NanoSail-D2 and JAXA’s IKAROS. This steers the satellite post-launch.
Solar Cruiser, part of the SWIFT constellation, will measure solar wind at several vantage points for better interplanetary space weather forecasting. Enquire for more economical on-ground space weather forecasts and missions such as SWIFT that help protect our planet from imploding due to solar emissions.
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The skyscraper size of methane ice might cover around 60% of the equatorial region of Pluto, a larger area than astronomers actually estimated. This study was published on July 5, 2025 in the Journal of Geophysical Reserach. It was based on the data from NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft which captured close images of it around 10 years ago on July 14, 2025. Amid that flyby, the spacecraft located spires of methane ice, each is about 1000 feet tall.
Pluto’s Methane Spires Span Vast Equatorial Zone with Uncertain Pattern
As per NASA’s data they are separated to 4.4 miles in a shape which is somewhat parallel rows and form a geological feature which is called bladed terrain. The features seems to be larger and more spaced out verison of the penitentes of Earth which is a structure of water ice that creates a maximum of 9 feet. Almost the same structure was observed on Jupiter’s moon named Europa and also might be there on Mars.
Additional data collected at infrared frequencies signaled that the dwarf planet’s most of the region was methane rich, which shows that the spires are too. The results show that the bladed terrain of methane ice spires exists in a band that spans about 60% of the circumference of the planet.
Future Missions Needed to Confirm Pluto’s Mysterious Methane Landscape
This is equal to five times the width of the United States continental part, majority spotted on non-encounter hemispheres. However, it is still nort sure if the band is patchy or even. The band spans between 30 degrees south and north of the equator of Pluto.
Bladed terrain formation relies on methane’s long term cycle condensation and sublimation. These are controlled by the season of Pluto and its orbital variations. Straight evidence would be required to confirm the recent observations by the scientists. The most certain way to confirm the extension of bladed terrain into the dark side of Pluto is the future spacecraft mission.
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