Ocean Acidification Robs Reef Fish Of Their Fear Of Predators

Research on the behavior of coral reef fish at naturally-occurring carbon dioxide seeps in Milne Bay in eastern Papua New Guinea has shown that continuous exposure to increased levels of carbon dioxide dramatically alters the way fish respond to predators.

On Fracking Front, A Push To Reduce Leaks of Methane

Scientists, engineers, and government regulators are increasingly turning their attention to solving one of the chief environmental problems associated with fracking for natural gas and oil – significant leaks of methane, a potent greenhouse gas.

Along Jersey Shore, Towns Build Sandcastle Dunes

The hills of sand are supposed to act as fortresses that protect Jersey Shore communities from the ravages of the sea. But unless the sand can be stabilized by vegetation, one municipal engineer said, “They disappear like children’s sand castles at the end of the day.”

Arctic Sea Ice Maximum 2014

Arctic sea ice reached its annual maximum on March 21, 2014. And while the year was not extraordinary—the fifth lowest extent in 36 years of satellite records—the trend continues to be.

Beach Sand Mining in Monterey Bay Causes a Dustup

California’s Monterey Bay boasts one of the nation’s most protected coastlines, situated within a federal sanctuary that imposes bans on everything from Jet Skis to offshore drilling. Yet most days, hundreds of tons of sand are harvested from one of its most picturesque beaches, in a mining operation now coming under increased state and local scrutiny.

Alluvial Fan in Kazakhstan

Mountain streams are usually confined to narrow channels and tend to transport sizable amounts of gravel, sand, clay, and silt, material that geologists call alluvium.