Oceans

Science News for Students articles on oceans

  1. Animals

    Choked by bacteria, some starfish are turning to goo

    For years, researchers thought gooey, dying starfish were infected. Instead, these sea stars are suffocating. And bacteria may be behind it all.

    By Erin Garcia de Jesús
  2. Environment

    Unmasking the pandemic’s pollution problem

    Discarding all the materials people use to protect themselves from COVID-19 has created a growing environmental problem.

    By Stephen Ornes
  3. Animals

    Let’s learn about sharks

    This ancient group of fish can use scent and even electricity to detect their prey. And they fill an important niche in the ocean.

    By Bethany Brookshire
  4. Oceans

    Analyze This: Shipwrecks provide a home for bottom-dwelling fish

    Fish have found a habitat in a submarine and freighter that sunk to the seafloor during World War II.

    By Carolyn Wilke
  5. Animals

    Whales get a second life as deep-sea buffets

    When a whale dies and sinks to the seafloor, it becomes a feast for hundreds of different types of creatures.

    By Stephen Ornes
  6. Animals

    One tiny sea parasite survives 200 times atmospheric pressure

    Known as the seal louse, this tiny insect can survive deep oceanic dives on its mobile home, a marine mammal.

    By Shi En Kim
  7. Microbes

    Some deep-seafloor microbes still alive after 100 million years!

    Some starving microbes nap while awaiting their next meal. For some living miles below the ocean surface, that nap may exceed 100 million years.

    By Carolyn Gramling
  8. Ecosystems

    Let’s learn about coral reefs

    Coral reefs are home to many important species. But climate change is stressing corals to the max.

    By Bethany Brookshire
  9. Environment

    Let’s learn about hurricanes

    Hurricanes are huge, terrifying storms that form over warm ocean waters — and waters are getting warming.

    By Bethany Brookshire
  10. Oceans

    Going bright may help corals recover from bleaching

    When some corals bleach, they turn neon colors. Flashy hues may be part of a response that helps these corals recover and reunite with their algae.

    By Carolyn Wilke
  11. Oceans

    Scientists Say: Tsunami

    This is a series of ocean waves triggered by an underwater earthquake or volcano. The event starts as small waves, but those waves can grow as they approach land.

    By Carolyn Wilke
  12. Animals

    When prey get scarce, these jellies become cannibals

    Invasive comb jellies may feast on their larvae if massive population booms in summer deplete their prey.

    By Erin Garcia de Jesús