A photographer in Maine has been documenting groups of women who submerge themselves in near-freezing water. Here’s what she’s seen.
Tag Archives: Lakes
Climate change is turning up the heat on lakes

Enlarge (credit: Layland Masuda)
Not for nothing, but when it comes to bodies of water and climate change, the ocean gets the (sea) lion’s share of attention. But on land, around 117 million admittedly smaller bodies of water play necessary ecological, social, and economic roles. Lakes are relatively tiny, but “relative” is a key term there—for instance, the Great Lakes of North America account for 20 percent of the Earth’s surface freshwater. We also rely on them for food, fresh water, transportation, and more.
New research identifies the interrelated challenges that the world’s lakes face. According to Sapna Sharma, co-author of the research and an associate professor of York University’s biology department, many of the climate change-related impacts that these watering holes remain relatively hidden despite these waters potentially facing an extensive collection of problems. “I hope that people get a sense of how widespread the effects of climate change on lakes are,” she told Ars. “If you just go look out at a lake, you might not know all the changes it’s experiencing.”
To study this, Sharma and colleagues at different universities around the world pored over hundreds of research papers about lakes. These papers came from across the globe, and some date back to the 1930s, she said. Sharma and her fellow researchers all have differing areas of expertise, allowing them to review and synthesize the existing literature.
Read 8 remaining paragraphs | Comments
Shipwreck From 1891 is Found in Lake Superior
The Atlanta was carrying coal across Lake Superior when it sank in a storm in the 19th century. Its discovery has revived the story of the crew’s struggle to reach shore.
Road Salt Works. But It’s Also Bad for the Environment.
The chemical is effective at keeping roads free of snow and ice, but it also has damaging consequences, according to a growing body of research.
Like in ‘Postapocalyptic Movies’: Heat Wave Killed Marine Wildlife en Masse
An early estimate points to a huge die-off along the Pacific Coast, and scientists say rivers farther inland are warming to levels that could be lethal for some kinds of salmon.
To Fish These Big Trout, Bring a Ladder
Landing the highly coveted Lahontan cutthroat trout requires special skill — and equipment.
Discover a Water Sport
This should be the summer you become a swimmer, a paddler or a sailor — it’s easier than you think.
The Lithium Gold Rush: Inside the Race to Power Electric Vehicles
A race is on to produce lithium in the United States, but competing projects are taking very different approaches to extracting the vital raw material. Some might not be very green.
Biden’s Chance to Save the Everglades
Reviving the South Florida ecosystem enjoys bipartisan support and deserves federal funding.
Surf’s Up. The Temperature Isn’t.
Growing numbers of surfers are taking to the Great Lakes — even when the weather is well below freezing.
Wisconsin Official Traded Sturgeon Research Eggs for Caviar, Prosecutors Say
Ryan Koenigs, a biologist who oversees the state’s sturgeon spearing season in Lake Winnebago, is accused of accepting $20,000 worth of caviar in an illegal bartering scheme.
In a Desert’s Burning Sands, Shrimp
When it rains in Iran’s Dasht-e Lut desert, the ground comes alive with tiny, upside-down crustaceans.
Melting Glaciers Are Filling Unstable Lakes. And They’re Growing.
A census of the world’s glacial lakes shows there are more than there used to be, and their water volume is growing.
Gold vs. Salmon: Battle Over an Alaskan Mine
The Pebble Mine could be worth billions. It could also put a lucrative fishing industry at risk.
The Boat Business Is Booming
Dealers are in short supply as coastal Americans plan for more local summers. As one buyer put it: “Boats are sexier than sitting in your car.”
11 Great Alternatives to the Top National Parks
Whether you like hiking, fishing, volcanoes, trees or even fossilized trees, there is a less-traveled and still awe-inspiring national park for you.