A new study by researchers from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and University of Cincinnati and published in Science has mapped 35 years of river changes on a global scale for the first time. The work has revealed significant effects on both downstream (44% decrease in water flow) and upstream (17% flow increase) rivers, including flooding, ecosystem disruption, hydropower development interference and insufficient fresh water supplies.

Colony surveys of common murres, an Alaskan seabird, show the full effects of the 2014-16 marine heat wave known as “the blob.” Analysis of 13 colonies surveyed between 2008 and 2022 finds that colony size in the Gulf of Alaska dropped by half after the marine heat wave. In colonies along the eastern Bering Sea, west of the peninsula, the decline was even steeper, at 75% loss. No recovery has yet been seen, the authors write.

Oregon State University researchers have synthesized new molecules able to quickly capture significant amounts of carbon dioxide from the air, an important tactic in climate change mitigation.

Despite sea level rise in Western Indian Ocean, more than 60% of Aldabra Atoll's shoreline remained unchanged from 1960 to 2011, based on aerial and satellite image analysis. On average, the shoreline changed at a rate of 0.25 ± 0.36 meters per year, with significant localized erosion trends. The international team led by University of Zurich and Seychelles Islands Foundation researchers highlight Aldabra Atoll's resilience and its ability to maintain its shoreline despite the threats to reef island processes. They emphasize the key role of non-climate factors, such as sediment supply in driving changes to the shoreline. Additionally, they stress the importance of long-term monitoring and the critical role of Aldabra's protection status in preserving its natural dynamics.

Plastic pollution is a growing problem in Japan, prompting cleanup efforts to recover plastic litter from water bodies. However, research on recovery rates from different river basins remains limited. In a recent study, researchers from Japan conducted a nationwide analysis of plastic litter recovery in over 100 river basins, shedding light on the impact of climate change, population density, and natural disasters. Their findings will help inform future cleanup strategies and improve plastic management.