New York State Water Resources Institute (NYSWRI) at Cornell University1: The NYSWRI supports robust science and dialogue between researchers, managers, policymakers, and the general public to improve water management. They conduct original research and outreach on topics of local, state, and national importance.
New York Ocean Action Plan (OAP): The OAP aims to restore, strengthen, and maintain the ecological integrity of the state’s ocean ecosystem, including estuaries and coastal waters. The plan promotes an integrated and adaptive approach where management decisions are informed by the best available science.
Coastal Acidification and Harmful Algal Blooms: This project aims to determine how harmful algal blooms (HABs) in New York waters respond to coastal acidification, how current and future climate change conditions will affect these HABs, and how the co-occurrence of these HABs with acidification will impact economically and ecologically important fish and shellfish.
School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences at Stony Brook University: The school uses New York coastal waters as a laboratory for assessing human impacts on the coastal seas and understanding land/sea interactions at all level.
Shark Research: A team of scientists is expanding research about sharks and their populations in the region due to the lack of evidence about shark biology, their prey, and changes in the ecosystems of New York area coastal waters.
Rising Sea Levels: Sea levels in New York City are expected to rise between 8 inches and 30 inches by the 2050s and as much as 15 inches to 75 inches by the end of the century. This rise in sea levels will amplify flooding crises from events such as thunderstorms, high tides, and hurricane.
Increased Flooding: More than 1 million people are living in or near a flood plain in New York City. The consequences of sea level rise were displayed in 2012, when Superstorm Sandy hit New York City, causing significant flooding.
City Sinking: New York City is sinking approximately 1-2mm each year on average, worsening the effects of sea level rise and the flooding threat. This sinking is exacerbated by the weight of the city’s skyscrapers.
Loss of Homes and Wetlands: Increased flooding from sea level rise and storms puts at risk both socioeconomic and ecological resources. Losses of homes and wetlands from more frequent and severe flooding could become increasingly permanent in some places.
These issues pose significant challenges for the city’s infrastructure, residents, and marine ecosystems. Efforts are underway to mitigate these effects, including flood-proofing critical infrastructures and proposing the construction of giant sea gates across New York Harbor.
NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory: Engineers from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory are exploring the deep ocean to search for clues of what oceans on other planets could look like, and push the limits of science and technology in one of the most extreme environments on our planet.
Deep-sea Discoveries: Scientists have made some intriguing discoveries exploring the deep sea. From gigantic seamounts and the deepest-dwelling fish to a mysterious golden orb and puzzling methane leaks, here are some of the best deep-sea discoveries2.
Deep Sea Mining: Permitting processes for deep-sea mining in international waters, such as the Clarion-Clipperton Zone, are regulated by the UN’s International Seabed Authority (ISA). Since 2001, the ISA has issued 31 permits for exploration and scientific research in the deep ocean, primarily for nodules but also other geologic formations with valuable minerals.
These initiatives are contributing significantly to our understanding of the deep sea.
Researchers at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering have made a significant breakthrough in the field of desalination research. They have improved the Redox Flow Desalination (RFD) system, an emerging electrochemical technique that can convert seawater into drinkable water and also store affordable renewable energy1.
The team, led by Dr. André Taylor, managed to increase the RFD system’s salt removal rate by approximately 20 percent while reducing its energy demand by optimizing fluid flow rates1. This system provides a scalable and flexible approach to energy storage, enabling efficient utilization of intermittent renewable energy sources such as solar and wind1.
The success of this project is attributed to the ingenuity and perseverance of Stephen Akwei Maclean, the paper’s first author and a NYU Tandon Ph.D. candidate in chemical and biomolecular engineering1. He demonstrated exceptional skill by designing the system architecture using advanced 3D printing technology available at the NYU Maker Space1.
This research is a promising step towards creating a sustainable and efficient solution that not only meets the growing demand for freshwater but also champions environmental conservation and renewable energy integration1.
Sydney, Australia is home to several key research initiatives focused on its coastal waters. The Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS) leads collaborative efforts in marine biology, ecology, and climate change technology. Research on predator and prey dynamics in Sydney Harbour aims to understand bull shark behavior and their prey. The Water Research Laboratory uses advanced technologies to study coastal processes like wave dynamics and erosion. Additionally, the NSW Environment and Heritage department investigates coastal wave conditions to manage hazards such as beach erosion. These initiatives are vital for preserving Sydney’s marine environments.
Sydney, Australia’s coastal waters face significant challenges, including water scarcity due to climate variability, sparse water data, pollution from urban and agricultural runoff, and the risk of eutrophication from climate change. Land-use intensification and poor water quality further threaten marine ecosystems. These issues impact both infrastructure and marine life, prompting efforts to improve water data accessibility, forecast water availability, and manage the Murray Darling Basin.
Sydney, Australia is a hub for deep-sea exploration and desalination research. The HOV DEEPSEA CHALLENGER, built in Sydney, reached the ocean’s deepest point, while the Minderoo-UWA Deep-Sea Research Centre aims to enhance our understanding of the deep ocean. Researchers at the University of Technology Sydney have advanced desalination technology, improving the Redox Flow Desalination system and developing methods to extract valuable metals from waste brine. Additionally, a study by UNSW Sydney found that the Sydney Desalination Plant’s outflow has minimal impact on the NSW coast. These initiatives are crucial for addressing Australia’s water needs and environmental conservation.
Los Angeles, California’s coastal waters face significant challenges, including stormwater pollution, rising sea levels, erosion, and harmful algal blooms. Stormwater runoff is the primary pollutant, posing health risks and damaging ecosystems. Rising sea levels and erosion threaten infrastructure and homes, while chemical runoff promotes toxic algal blooms. These issues impact both residents and marine life, prompting efforts to improve water data accessibility and manage environmental impacts.
Several research initiatives in Los Angeles’s coastal waters aim to improve aquatic system management and understand urban impacts. The Southern California Coastal Water Research Project (SCCWRP) focuses on ocean acidification, hypoxia, and harmful algal blooms. The Southern California Marine Institute (SCMI) provides marine expertise through a strategic alliance of universities. The USGS, in cooperation with the Water Replenishment District, conducts geohydrologic studies to manage water basins, while the Los Angeles Coastal Plain Groundwater-flow Model (LACPGM) helps understand groundwater flow and seawater intrusion. These efforts are vital for preserving the health of Los Angeles’s coastal waters.
Los Angeles is home to several deep-sea exploration initiatives, including NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s development of the Orpheus autonomous underwater vehicle and the Southern California Coastal Water Research Project (SCCWRP), which studies ocean acidification, hypoxia, and harmful algal blooms. Marine scientists have also uncovered a large field of submerged waste off the coast, and a low-cost deep-sea exploration device is being developed by a group of scientists and conservationists. Additionally, the Water Replenishment District of Southern California is working on a desalination project in Torrance to reduce reliance on imported water and increase local potable water supply. Despite some setbacks, such as the nixed West Basin Water District desalination project, these efforts are crucial for understanding and managing the region’s marine and water resources.
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