Highlight articles

A novel laser-based spectroscopic method reveals the isotopic signatures of nitrous oxide produced by eukaryotic and prokaryotic phototrophs in darkness

We present a new method for the accurate laser-based analysis of N₂O isotopes. For the first time, we measured the Site Preference-N₂O signatures of pure cultures of microalgae and cyanobacteria. Our study is a first step to ultimately develop process-specific N₂O monitoring from aquatic ecosystems. Further research is now needed to determine the occurrence and significance of N₂O emissions from microalgae and cyanobacteria from aquatic ecosystems.

Culturing experiments reveal mechanisms of daily trace element incorporation into Tridacna shells

This study explores daily geochemical variations in giant clam (Tridacna) shells from controlled, isotopically-labelled day-night growth experiments. Results show five times higher daytime calcification rates. Light availability and metabolic activity significantly influence elemental incorporation mechanisms. The findings enhance our understanding of clam geochemistry and growth dynamics, offering valuable insights for studies on past environmental changes.

Remineralisation changes dominate oxygen variability in the North Atlantic

Oxygen is essential to marine life, but the amount of oxygen in the ocean has been decreasing in recent decades. Using observations of oxygen concentration interpolated across a section of the subtropical North Atlantic Ocean, we show that deoxygenation in the region is primarily driven by an increase in oxygen being consumed during remineralisation of organic matter. The impact of this is strongest at depths of around 600 m, where the process drives up to 70 % of the total deoxygenation.

The first Earthquake Early Warning System for the high-speed railway in Italy: enhancing rapidness and operational efficiency during seismic events

Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences
DOI 10.5194/nhess-26-299-2026
20 January 2026

The first Italian Earthquake Early Warning system protects the Naples-Rome high-speed railway by detecting earthquakes in real time and sending alerts within seconds. Using seismic sensors and smart algorithms, it slows or stops trains only where needed, avoiding full-line shutdowns. Directly linked to train control, it boosts safety and minimizes disruption during potentially damaging earthquakes.

Positive feedbacks drive the Greenland ice sheet evolution in millennial-length MAR–GISM simulations under a high-end warming scenario

To study Greenland ice sheet–atmosphere interactions, we coupled an ice sheet model to a regional climate model and performed simulations of differing coupling complexity over 1000 years under a high-warming climate scenario. They reveal that at first melt at the ice sheet margin is reduced by changing wind patterns. But over time, as the ice sheet melts and its surface lowers, precipitation patterns and cloudiness also change and amplify ice mass loss over the entire ice sheet.

Brief Communication: Rejuvenating and strengthening the science–policy interface required to implement the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction

Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences
DOI 10.5194/nhess-26-271-2026
19 January 2026

This article looks at how science connects with policy to reduce disaster risks. Although the Sendai Framework says science is key, current efforts to bring together scientists and share their perspectives with other stakeholders are not as effective as they could be. We suggest three ways to improve this: include more voices, better share research, and create spaces to discuss key topics.

Compounded effects of long-term warming and the exceptional 2023 marine heatwave on North Atlantic coccolithophore bloom dynamics

In 2023, an exceptional marine heatwave occurred in the North Atlantic ocean. This study evaluates changes in G.huxleyi dynamics showing bloom decline in the Celtic Sea and reaching unprecedented levels in the Barents Sea. These shifts reflect the direct impact of temperature extremes driven by human-induced climate change with major effects on ocean life and carbon cycle. Continuous monitoring is vital to understand and monitor regional adaptation of marine ecosystems.

The carbon dioxide removal potential of cement and lime kiln dust via ocean alkalinity enhancement

Cement and lime kiln dust, industrial by-products, could help remove CO₂ from the atmosphere by increasing surface ocean alkalinity. Lab experiments showed that a fraction dissolves rapidly in seawater, releasing substantial alkalinity. Most of the residual fraction may dissolve in marine sediments to drive further carbon storage. Both materials could thus aid in global CO₂ removal, but careful application strategies are required to avoid harm to marine ecosystems.

Global projections of aridity index for mid and long-term future based on CMIP6 scenarios

Our study investigates global dryland dynamics and aridification under future climate scenarios. By employing the Food and Agriculture Organisation Aridity Index and an ensemble of 13 models from the 6th Coupled Model Intercomparison Project, we provide projections for dryland distribution and aridity index across three shared socio-economic pathways (2-4.5, 3-7.0, and 5-8.5) for the near-term (2030–2059) and for the long-term (2070–2099) future.

Quantifying agricultural N₂O and CH₄ emissions in the Netherlands using an airborne eddy covariance system

Nitrous oxide and methane emissions from agriculture need to be reduced, therefore emissions must be understood to effectively mitigate them. This is the first approach to measure those emissions aircraft-based, to assess their magnitude and drivers. We identified emission hotspots and temporal changes in agricultural emissions in the Netherlands. Our approach is applicable to further greenhouse gas emitters, therefore it builds a step towards more comprehensive emission quantification.

Publications Highlight articles

Highlight articles

Information for

External links