Ocean Roundup: Cause of Green Sea Turtle Tumors Discovered, Sharks Found to Have Distinct Personalities, and More - Oceana USA
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October 7, 2014

Ocean Roundup: Cause of Green Sea Turtle Tumors Discovered, Sharks Found to Have Distinct Personalities, and More

Scientists have detected a 40 percent decline in calcium carbonate in one section of the Great Barrier Reef near Lizard Island. Calcium carbonate serves as building blocks for coral reefs, so scientists say this study calls for “an arrest to ocean acidification.” The Sydney Morning Herald

– A new study shows that one of the top ocean predators, sharks, have individual personalities that influence their social behavior. Scientists studied spotted catsharks in different simulated environments to reach their conclusion, and suspects other shark species, like lemon sharks, have their own personalities too. BBC News

– New NASA research found that the oceans’ abyss—1.24 miles below the ocean’s surface—hasn’t warmed since 2005. These findings follow another recent study that found the upper layer of Southern Hemisphere oceans have been warming at an unprecedented rate. Nature World News

Nitrogen runoff around Hawaii has been attributed as the cause of fibropapillomatosis, a deadly disease that causes tumors to grow on sea turtles and has taken a toll on green sea turtle populations around Hawaii. Scientists say that sea turtles will likely continue to be affected until runoff is controlled. Smithsonian

Long Read:

– You’ve likely heard the phrase that Louisiana loses one football field of coast per hour, but is this just from climate change? This article, “The Most Ambitious Lawsuit Ever,” traces the story of one lawyer holding the oil and gas industry responsible for Louisiana’s land loss. The New York Times