Deep-sea fish have long been a mystery, but new research is shedding light on their importance in Earth’s carbon cycle. Scientists at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science have discovered that deep-dwelling mesopelagic fish, which account for up to 94% of global fish biomass, excrete carbonate minerals at rates comparable to shallow-water species.

The study focused on the blackbelly rosefish (Helicolenus dactylopterus), a deep-sea species living at depths of 350-430 meters. The researchers found that these fish form and excrete intestinal carbonate, also known as ichthyocarbonate, which helps maintain internal salt and water balance in saline environments. This process plays a critical role in marine carbon cycling.

The study’s lead author, Martin Grosell, explained that it was unclear whether mesopelagic fish produced carbonate like shallow-water fish do or at what rate. However, the research confirms that they do produce carbonate at rates similar to those of shallow-water species. The blackbelly rosefish was found to excrete approximately 5 milligrams of ichthyocarbonate per kilogram per hour, aligning with predictions from thermal and metabolic scaling models.

This study fills a major gap in our understanding of ocean chemistry and carbon cycling. With mesopelagic fish playing such a significant role, their contribution to carbonate flux – and how it might change with warming oceans – deserves greater attention. The findings also underscore the importance of ichthyocarbonate in the ocean carbon cycle, especially given the vast, underexplored biomass of the mesopelagic zone.

The study’s authors say that these results offer strong support for global models of fish-derived carbonate production, which had assumed but not verified that mesopelagic species contribute at similar rates. Mesopelagic fish aren’t just prey; they’re chemical engineers of the ocean.

This research opens new avenues for studying deep-sea carbon dynamics and may improve Earth system models, which are sophisticated computer models that incorporate interactions between physical, chemical, and biological processes, such as biological carbon production and export. The study was published in the Journal of Experimental Biology on July 15, 2025.

The discovery of jadarite, a rare and fascinating mineral, has been hailed as “Earth’s kryptonite twin” due to its similarities to the fictional substance from the comic books. Found in the Jadar Valley of Serbia by exploration geologists from Rio Tinto in 2004, this sodium lithium boron silicate hydroxide mineral has immense potential for Earth’s energy transition away from fossil fuels.

Initially, jadarite didn’t match any known mineral at the time and was identified after analysis by the Natural History Museum in London and the National Research Council of Canada. It was officially recognized as a new mineral in 2006. While it shares some similarities with kryptonite, including its chemical formula LiNaSiB₃O₇(OH), jadarite is a much less supernatural dull white mineral that fluoresces pinkish-orange under UV light.

According to Michael Page, a scientist with Australia’s Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), “the real jadarite has great potential as an important source of lithium and boron.” In fact, the Jadar deposit where it was first discovered is considered one of the largest lithium deposits in the world, making it a potential game-changer for the global green energy transition.

The work that ANSTO does focuses on how critical minerals like jadarite can be utilized to support Australian industry in a commercial capacity. They have produced battery-grade lithium chemicals from various mineral deposits, including spodumene, lepidolite, and even jadarite, ensuring that Australian miners receive the support they need to meet the challenges of the energy transition.

As the world continues to transition towards renewable energy sources, jadarite’s potential as a key component in this process cannot be overstated. Its discovery is a testament to human ingenuity and our ability to find innovative solutions to complex problems.

A groundbreaking study involving almost 30 million people has shed new light on the hidden threat that air pollution poses to our cognitive well-being. The research, published in The Lancet Planetary Health, reveals a significant link between exposure to outdoor pollutants and an increased risk of dementia.

The study, led by researchers at the Medical Research Council (MRC) Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge, analyzed data from 51 studies, including data from more than 29 million participants. The results are clear: long-term exposure to air pollution can increase the risk of dementia by up to 17% for every 10 micrograms per cubic meter of particulate matter (PM2.5).

The impact is staggering. Dementias such as Alzheimer’s disease are estimated to affect over 57 million people worldwide, a number that is expected to triple to 152.8 million cases by 2050. The study’s findings suggest that tackling air pollution could be a crucial step in reducing the risk of dementia and its associated burden on individuals, families, and caregivers.

Senior author Dr. Haneen Khreis emphasizes the importance of epidemiological evidence in understanding the link between air pollution and dementia. “Our work provides further evidence to support the observation that long-term exposure to outdoor air pollution is a risk factor for the onset of dementia in previously healthy adults.”

The study also highlights the need for urgent action, particularly among marginalized groups who are disproportionately exposed to air pollution. The researchers call for future studies to ensure better representation across ethnicities and low- and middle-income countries and communities.

Joint first author Clare Rogowski stresses that efforts to reduce exposure to key pollutants will likely help reduce the burden of dementia on society. “Stricter limits for several pollutants are likely to be necessary, targeting major contributors such as the transport and industry sectors.”

The research was funded by the European Research Council under the Horizon 2020 research and innovation program and from the European Union’s Horizon Europe Framework Programme.

In conclusion, this study underscores the need for an interdisciplinary approach to dementia prevention. Preventing dementia is not just the responsibility of healthcare; urban planning, transport policy, and environmental regulation all have a significant role to play in mitigating the risks associated with air pollution. The time to act is now.