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“Major blind spot” in ocean carbon research could undermine global climate predictions

A new international report coordinated by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO highlights a critical gap in understanding how the ocean absorbs and stores carbon – a “blind spot” that could significantly undermine global climate predictions and future climate policy.

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23 February 2026

PML scientists to showcase cutting-edge research at Ocean Sciences Meeting

From marine carbon dioxide removal to AI-powered biodiversity monitoring, PML scientists will present the latest research addressing some of the most ...

21 February 2026

Test your knowledge: is this plankton real or AI-generated?

Can you tell the difference between real plankton images and those generated by artificial intelligence? Researchers are inviting experts and non-expe...

20 February 2026

Scientists reveal our best and worst case scenarios for a warming Antarctica

New review study on the Antarctic Peninsula, with expert contributions from PML’s Prof. Angus Atkinson MBE, shows that the choices we make in the ne...

Cloud free Europe. European Space Agency

19 February 2026

How data choices shape our understanding of the ocean regions in a changing climate

A new study by Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML), assessing the consistency of machine-learning clustering methods applied to complex three-dimensional...

17 February 2026

Rethinking single-use plastics: PML joins trailblazing consortium to eliminate plastic from disposable coffee cups

It is estimated that up to 500 billion single-use coffee cups are discarded worldwide each year – and most are lined with plastic.

13 February 2026

MEDIA: Drastic seaweed growth threatens marine life and fishing – but also offers opportunities

PML’s Dr Yanna Alexia Fidai writes for The Conversation UK on how native and invasive (non-native) seaweeds are appearing in quantities that are ha...

09 February 2026

Future EU Rules on Marine-Based Carbon Removal (mCDR) in discussion in Brussels

PML experts are attending an EU gathering to discuss the role of Direct Ocean Carbon Capture and Storage (DOCCS).

05 February 2026

PML welcomes new Honorary Fellow Dr Kilaparti Ramakrishna

Dr Ramakrishna is the Senior Advisor to the President and Director on Ocean and Climate Policy at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.

Child drinking from a plastic bottle. Sydneyra | Pixabay

30 January 2026

Learn about the plastic lifecycle: from manufacture to disposal and sustainability

A new free learning resource has been launched, co-produced between Plymouth Marine Laboratory and the Primary Science Teaching Trust, that aims to im...

Common Atlantic Octopus (Octopus vulgaris). Flavien Saboureau (CC BY)

27 January 2026

Octopus bloom off Southwest UK: New report reveals scale, causes and consequences

A new report, involving scientists from Plymouth Marine Laboratory, has revealed that a dramatic population bloom of the common octopus (Octopus vulga...

26 January 2026

Staff spotlight: Professor Kevin J Flynn - Plankton ecophysiologist

Meet Professor Kevin Flynn, one of our most accomplished scientists at the laboratory, whose experience spans decades and disciplines. Kevin cre...

Greenland's rocky shore. Mathilde Cureau | Unsplash

23 January 2026

New evidence reveals how Greenland’s seaweed locks away carbon in the deep ocean

An interdisciplinary study confirms, for the first time, the oceanographic pathways that transport floating macroalgae from the coastal waters of Sout...

22 January 2026

Navigating tricky trade-offs in busy seas

Study shows how ‘Blue Justice’ is key to delivering fairer and more equitable use of marine space.

20 January 2026

£3.7m project aims to provide unprecedented analysis of mesophotic coral reefs

The five-year initiative will assess the response and resilience of mesophotic coral reef communities to future climate change

16 January 2026

One-stop ocean data hub could help protect seas and communities

A new Defra-commissioned report gathered stakeholder views on how to improve access to marine social and economic data and outlined steps to better...

Penguins swimming off the coast of the Falkland Islands. Image by Ian Brown

10 January 2026

Eroding peatlands influence the Falkland Islands coastal ecosystem

PML scientists have recently returned from the Falklands after a 2 week mission to collect data on the impact of eroded peat on the local marine envir...

07 January 2026

Joining forces on harmful algae: PML leads satellite project with NZ partner

As South Australia confronts one of its most damaging harmful algal blooms on record, a new UK–New Zealand research project led by Plymouth Marine ...

06 January 2026

MEDIA: Will 2026 be the year when coral reefs pass their tipping point?

PML’s Dr Samantha Garrard writes for The Conversation UK on what the year ahead could mean for coral reefs.

06 January 2026

New Chair of Trustees announced at PML

Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML) is pleased to announce the appointment of Nigel Godefroy as its new Chair of the Board of Trustees from July 2026.

05 January 2026

WATCH NOW: Real-time imaging of microplastic gut passage in zooplankton

A new study has, for the first time, recorded and measured just how fast microplastics move through the gut passage of a key zooplankton species in re...

28 December 2025

PML Science that made the headlines in 2025

As 2025 draws to a close, we reflect on some of the science from the lab that made the headlines this year.

19 December 2025

Merry Xmas from PML (with a celebration of ocean storytelling)

This year’s PML Christmas card is inspired by a storybook created to inspire curiosity and care for the Ocean among young readers.

Dramatic waves of the Atlantic taken during a research expedition. Dr Ming-Xi Yang

16 December 2025

How bubbles may speed up CO2 uptake by the ocean

New study provides evidence that the ocean may have absorbed as much as 15% (0.3-0.4 Pg C yr-1) more CO2 than previously thought, requiring a re-think...