World Water Day: Earth’s freshwater reveals new species & faces mounting threats

Water covers most of our planet, yet less than 3% of it is freshwater and most of it is contained in glaciers, making it not readily usable. Contamination and overuse threaten the valuable supplies of freshwater that humans and other animals, especially aquatic organisms, depend on to live. Read more here.

Researchers devastated by worrisome discovery in warming ocean: ‘[The] future is now in doubt’

Research published in Scientific Reports indicated that warming Southern Ocean water is melting Antarctic ice and causing staple whale prey such as krill and other creatures to relocate. Read more here.

Ocean Park to open marine conservation centre with real whale skeleton display

Ocean Park will get a new marine mammal conservation centre. The animal theme park in Hong Kong is known for its research on marine mammals and rescue efforts. Read more here.

Sea turtle shells reveal hidden records of ocean change

Techniques developed to study the distant past—from dating ancient artifacts to reconstructing climate records in ice cores—are now being repurposed to help us better understand the lives of modern sea turtles. Read more here.

Industrial chemicals have reached the middle of the oceans, new study shows

New research shows the chemicals we use to kill pests, heal our bodies and package our foods are spread throughout the ocean, intermingling with the microorganisms that feed marine life. They’ve reached even the most distant and remote places on the planet. Read more here.