Pub Date : 2026-01-17DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2026.107853
Wenxiao Zang , Yong Xu , Fang Zhang , Song Sun
Harmful jellyfish blooms are widely believed to be associated with global warming; however, direct in-situ evidence at an ecosystem level to explain bloom mechanisms is lacking. This study focused on Aurelia coerulea polyps and the local benthic ecosystem and applied field temperature manipulation to explore responses of polyps and benthic ecosystems to global warming, community changes, and polyp survival strategies. In our experiment, local heating (+1.5 °C and +3 °C) led to significant changes in benthic community structure (p < 0.001), a decline in biodiversity, and the proliferation of opportunistic dominant organisms. Aurelia coerulea polyps achieved remarkable expansion, with their coverage percentage reaching 79.73 % in the +3 °C group at the final sampling, significantly higher than the 53.30 % at ambient temperature. During the transition of the benthic ecosystem from stability to instability, jellyfish polyps expanded colonization by virtue of diversified asexual reproduction modes such as budding, longitudinal fission, stolonic budding, which were enhanced under warming, and their rapid responses to environmental change and strong adaptability to warming environments. Our study revealed direct effects on organisms and indirect effects mediated by ecosystems of global warming in the process of jellyfish polyp blooms and emphasized the importance of considering the comprehensive effect of global warming at the local benthic ecosystem level through in-situ experiments when explaining the proliferation of opportunistic and hazardous species with complex life cycles such as jellyfish.
{"title":"In-situ experimental evidence revealing how ocean warming promotes Aurelia coerulea polyps mediated by benthic ecosystem change","authors":"Wenxiao Zang , Yong Xu , Fang Zhang , Song Sun","doi":"10.1016/j.marenvres.2026.107853","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.marenvres.2026.107853","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Harmful jellyfish blooms are widely believed to be associated with global warming; however, direct in-situ evidence at an ecosystem level to explain bloom mechanisms is lacking. This study focused on <em>Aurelia coerulea</em> polyps and the local benthic ecosystem and applied field temperature manipulation to explore responses of polyps and benthic ecosystems to global warming, community changes, and polyp survival strategies. In our experiment, local heating (+1.5 °C and +3 °C) led to significant changes in benthic community structure (p < 0.001), a decline in biodiversity, and the proliferation of opportunistic dominant organisms. <em>Aurelia coerulea</em> polyps achieved remarkable expansion, with their coverage percentage reaching 79.73 % in the +3 °C group at the final sampling, significantly higher than the 53.30 % at ambient temperature. During the transition of the benthic ecosystem from stability to instability, jellyfish polyps expanded colonization by virtue of diversified asexual reproduction modes such as budding, longitudinal fission, stolonic budding, which were enhanced under warming, and their rapid responses to environmental change and strong adaptability to warming environments. Our study revealed direct effects on organisms and indirect effects mediated by ecosystems of global warming in the process of jellyfish polyp blooms and emphasized the importance of considering the comprehensive effect of global warming at the local benthic ecosystem level through in-situ experiments when explaining the proliferation of opportunistic and hazardous species with complex life cycles such as jellyfish.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18204,"journal":{"name":"Marine environmental research","volume":"215 ","pages":"Article 107853"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146010891","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-16DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2026.107857
Adeline Tauran, Xavier de Montaudouin, Danaé Dubrasquet, Lucille Zaragosi, Benoit Gouillieux, Nicolas Lavesque, Hugues Blanchet
Seagrasses form critical coastal habitats that are experiencing worldwide decline, often resulting in reduced abundance and diversity of associated macrofauna. This study focuses on Arcachon Bay (SW France), a coastal lagoon characterised by an extensive Zostera noltii meadow (40 km2 in 2019) that has declined by 44 % since 1989. This work aimed to characterise benthic community responses to environmental changes, including seagrass loss, using uni and multivariate analyses of two broad-scale surveys (49 stations) conducted in 2002 and 2023, supplemented by a biennial survey at a single station over 22 years. Results reveal significantly different benthic communities in 2002 and 2023 associated with a significant loss in macrofauna densities, while diversity remained similar. Temporal β-diversity (βSOR = 0.65) was primarily due to turnover (species replacement) rather than nestedness (species loss/gain). Five distinct benthic communities were identified, mainly influenced by seagrass biomass, elevation, distance to the ocean and sediment characteristics. The biennial surveys offered additional insights into the temporality of these changes at one station. The combined effect of these modifications and habitat fragmentation on the ecosystem functioning remains to be addressed more specifically.
{"title":"Ecological consequences of seagrass decline on macrozoobenthic communities: a case study of a Zostera noltii meadow in Arcachon Bay, France","authors":"Adeline Tauran, Xavier de Montaudouin, Danaé Dubrasquet, Lucille Zaragosi, Benoit Gouillieux, Nicolas Lavesque, Hugues Blanchet","doi":"10.1016/j.marenvres.2026.107857","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.marenvres.2026.107857","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Seagrasses form critical coastal habitats that are experiencing worldwide decline, often resulting in reduced abundance and diversity of associated macrofauna. This study focuses on Arcachon Bay (SW France), a coastal lagoon characterised by an extensive <em>Zostera noltii</em> meadow (40 km<sup>2</sup> in 2019) that has declined by 44 % since 1989. This work aimed to characterise benthic community responses to environmental changes, including seagrass loss, using uni and multivariate analyses of two broad-scale surveys (49 stations) conducted in 2002 and 2023, supplemented by a biennial survey at a single station over 22 years. Results reveal significantly different benthic communities in 2002 and 2023 associated with a significant loss in macrofauna densities, while diversity remained similar. Temporal β-diversity (β<sub>SOR</sub> = 0.65) was primarily due to turnover (species replacement) rather than nestedness (species loss/gain). Five distinct benthic communities were identified, mainly influenced by seagrass biomass, elevation, distance to the ocean and sediment characteristics. The biennial surveys offered additional insights into the temporality of these changes at one station. The combined effect of these modifications and habitat fragmentation on the ecosystem functioning remains to be addressed more specifically.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18204,"journal":{"name":"Marine environmental research","volume":"215 ","pages":"Article 107857"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146010818","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-16DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2026.107863
Shengxun Yao , Junxiang Lai , Maomi Zhao , Qiumei Jiang , Xiufen Liao , Zihan Pan , Congtao Sun
Marine biofouling poses a significant influence on marine engineering equipment, and phytoplankton is the primary food source for fouling organisms, therefore, we investigated the feeding selectivity of three fouling organisms and their relationship with phytoplankton community composition using the 18S rDNA high-throughput sequencing technology. The results show that Bacillariophyta, Chlorophyta phyla, and Chaetoceros genus are dominant both in the guts of fouling organism and seawater. SourceTracker analysis reveal that fouling organisms' gut phytoplankton are largely derived from seawater and network analysis show predominantly positive co-occurrence pattern particularly within the guts of fouling organisms. Selectivity indices indicate all the fouling organisms preferential feeding on Chlorophyta and chaetoceros. Spearman correlation analysis reveal that dissolved oxygen (DO), salinity, and temperature are significantly correlated with most dominant phytoplankton genera in the gut of fouling organisms and seawater. The research, therefore, will highlight the fouling organisms have a selective regulatory effect on phytoplankton, and the phytoplankton communities that promote the growth of fouling organisms are the dominant species in the gut.
{"title":"Feeding selectivity of three fouling organisms and their relationship with phytoplankton community composition","authors":"Shengxun Yao , Junxiang Lai , Maomi Zhao , Qiumei Jiang , Xiufen Liao , Zihan Pan , Congtao Sun","doi":"10.1016/j.marenvres.2026.107863","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.marenvres.2026.107863","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Marine biofouling poses a significant influence on marine engineering equipment, and phytoplankton is the primary food source for fouling organisms, therefore, we investigated the feeding selectivity of three fouling organisms and their relationship with phytoplankton community composition using the 18S rDNA high-throughput sequencing technology. The results show that Bacillariophyta, Chlorophyta phyla, and <em>Chaetoceros</em> genus are dominant both in the guts of fouling organism and seawater. SourceTracker analysis reveal that fouling organisms' gut phytoplankton are largely derived from seawater and network analysis show predominantly positive co-occurrence pattern particularly within the guts of fouling organisms. Selectivity indices indicate all the fouling organisms preferential feeding on Chlorophyta and <em>chaetoceros</em>. Spearman correlation analysis reveal that dissolved oxygen (DO), salinity, and temperature are significantly correlated with most dominant phytoplankton genera in the gut of fouling organisms and seawater. The research, therefore, will highlight the fouling organisms have a selective regulatory effect on phytoplankton, and the phytoplankton communities that promote the growth of fouling organisms are the dominant species in the gut.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18204,"journal":{"name":"Marine environmental research","volume":"215 ","pages":"Article 107863"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145998626","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The degradation of particulate organic matter in the ocean plays a critical role in regulating the marine carbon cycle and sustaining oxygen minimum zones. In this study, suspended particulate matter from two stations in the eastern Arabian Sea, encompassing both oxic and suboxic water columns, was studied to investigate the transformation of particulate matter during vertical transport. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the presence of diverse planktonic assemblages with a noticeable decline in abundance at greater depths. Particulate organic carbon (POC) and particulate nitrogen (PN) concentrations decreased sharply within the upper 60 m, indicating rapid degradation of labile organic matter in the euphotic zone. The POC/PN ratio increased with depth, suggesting preferential nitrogen loss during remineralisation. δ15N values ranged from +2.7 ‰ to +6.4 ‰, with enriched signatures in surface and suboxic layers, while δ13C values became progressively depleted with depth (up to −25.6 ‰), reflecting the loss of isotopically heavier compounds and the dominance of lighter, more refractory material. Phytoplankton marker pigments were abundant in the upper water column, while degradation products were prevalent in suboxic waters. Fatty acid methyl ester profiles were dominated by palmitic acid, followed by stearic acid, indicating a predominance of diatoms and dinoflagellates. Sterol analysis identified cholesterol, brassicasterol, stigmasterol, and β-sitosterol, with depth-dependent variations in their concentrations. Despite differences in depth and dissolved oxygen profiles between the two stations, the study consistently demonstrated substantial degradation of organic matter within the upper 60 m oxic water column and highlighted the differential preservation efficiencies of various biogeochemical markers.
{"title":"Transformation of particulate matter while sinking through the oxygen minimum zone of the Eastern Arabian Sea","authors":"Siby Kurian, Apsara Vijayan, Damodar M. Shenoy, Suhas Shetye, Supriya Karapurkar, Albertina Dias, Anand Methar, Aninda Mazumdar, Aditya Peketi, Rakhee Khandeparker","doi":"10.1016/j.marenvres.2026.107858","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.marenvres.2026.107858","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The degradation of particulate organic matter in the ocean plays a critical role in regulating the marine carbon cycle and sustaining oxygen minimum zones. In this study, suspended particulate matter from two stations in the eastern Arabian Sea, encompassing both oxic and suboxic water columns, was studied to investigate the transformation of particulate matter during vertical transport. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the presence of diverse planktonic assemblages with a noticeable decline in abundance at greater depths. Particulate organic carbon (POC) and particulate nitrogen (PN) concentrations decreased sharply within the upper 60 m, indicating rapid degradation of labile organic matter in the euphotic zone. The POC/PN ratio increased with depth, suggesting preferential nitrogen loss during remineralisation. δ<sup>15</sup>N values ranged from +2.7 ‰ to +6.4 ‰, with enriched signatures in surface and suboxic layers, while δ<sup>13</sup>C values became progressively depleted with depth (up to −25.6 ‰), reflecting the loss of isotopically heavier compounds and the dominance of lighter, more refractory material. Phytoplankton marker pigments were abundant in the upper water column, while degradation products were prevalent in suboxic waters. Fatty acid methyl ester profiles were dominated by palmitic acid, followed by stearic acid, indicating a predominance of diatoms and dinoflagellates. Sterol analysis identified cholesterol, brassicasterol, stigmasterol, and β-sitosterol, with depth-dependent variations in their concentrations. Despite differences in depth and dissolved oxygen profiles between the two stations, the study consistently demonstrated substantial degradation of organic matter within the upper 60 m oxic water column and highlighted the differential preservation efficiencies of various biogeochemical markers.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18204,"journal":{"name":"Marine environmental research","volume":"215 ","pages":"Article 107858"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146018860","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-16DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2026.107861
Owhonda Chikeru Ihunwo, Edward A. Laws
Methylmercury (MeHg) is a potent neurotoxin whose ecological impacts begin at the base of marine food webs, yet laboratory toxicity assays often rely on phytoplankton biomass levels far exceeding those found in natural waters. This discrepancy obscures true per-cell sensitivity and complicates cross-species comparisons. Here, we quantify the influence of initial biomass on apparent MeHg toxicity across five ecologically and taxonomically diverse marine phytoplankton—Thalassiosira pseudonana, Cricosphaera carterae, Emiliania huxleyi, Synechococcus elongatus, and Phaeodactylum tricornutum. Dose–response experiments were conducted across a gradient of initial optical densities (OD750), and EC50 values were estimated using nonlinear regression. Log10-transformed EC50 values exhibited strong linear relationships with OD750 for most species, demonstrating a consistent biomass buffering effect in which higher cell densities reduce apparent MeHg toxicity. Extrapolation of regression models to OD = 0 yielded intrinsic, biomass-normalized EC50 values that converged more tightly across taxa than raw EC50 measurements, revealing a shared physiological sensitivity range once biomass artifacts were removed. Cricosphaera carterae was the most sensitive species (EC50 = 0.0015 μg/L), while Synechococcus elongatus was the most tolerant (EC50 = 43.86 μg/L). These biomass-adjusted EC50 values were used to construct a species sensitivity distribution (SSD), from which an HC5 of 2.25 x 10−3 μg/L was estimated. Following the EPA acute-criteria relationship (FAV = 2 × HC5), a Final Acute Value (FAV) of 4.50 x 10−3 μg/L was derived. These findings demonstrate that biomass strongly modulates apparent MeHg toxicity and that biomass-adjusted EC50 values serve as useful upper-bound estimates of per-cell sensitivity. This framework provides a reproducible method for normalizing toxicity data across taxa and improves the interpretation of contaminant sensitivity under low-biomass conditions without directly predicting ecological risk in situ.
{"title":"Quantifying the effect of biomass magnitude on apparent methylmercury toxicity in marine phytoplankton","authors":"Owhonda Chikeru Ihunwo, Edward A. Laws","doi":"10.1016/j.marenvres.2026.107861","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.marenvres.2026.107861","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Methylmercury (MeHg) is a potent neurotoxin whose ecological impacts begin at the base of marine food webs, yet laboratory toxicity assays often rely on phytoplankton biomass levels far exceeding those found in natural waters. This discrepancy obscures true per-cell sensitivity and complicates cross-species comparisons. Here, we quantify the influence of initial biomass on apparent MeHg toxicity across five ecologically and taxonomically diverse marine phytoplankton—<em>Thalassiosira pseudonana</em>, <em>Cricosphaera carterae</em>, <em>Emiliania huxleyi</em>, <em>Synechococcus elongatus</em>, and <em>Phaeodactylum tricornutum</em>. Dose–response experiments were conducted across a gradient of initial optical densities (OD<sub>750</sub>), and EC<sub>50</sub> values were estimated using nonlinear regression. Log<sub>10</sub>-transformed EC<sub>50</sub> values exhibited strong linear relationships with OD<sub>750</sub> for most species, demonstrating a consistent biomass buffering effect in which higher cell densities reduce apparent MeHg toxicity. Extrapolation of regression models to OD = 0 yielded intrinsic, biomass-normalized EC<sub>50</sub> values that converged more tightly across taxa than raw EC<sub>50</sub> measurements, revealing a shared physiological sensitivity range once biomass artifacts were removed. <em>Cricosphaera carterae</em> was the most sensitive species (EC<sub>50</sub> = 0.0015 μg/L), while <em>Synechococcus elongatus</em> was the most tolerant (EC<sub>50</sub> = 43.86 μg/L). These biomass-adjusted EC<sub>50</sub> values were used to construct a species sensitivity distribution (SSD), from which an HC<sub>5</sub> of 2.25 x 10<sup>−</sup><strong><sup>3</sup></strong> μg/L was estimated. Following the EPA acute-criteria relationship (FAV = 2 × HC<sub>5</sub>), a Final Acute Value (FAV) of 4.50 x 10<sup>−</sup><strong><sup>3</sup></strong> μg/L was derived. These findings demonstrate that biomass strongly modulates apparent MeHg toxicity and that biomass-adjusted EC<sub>50</sub> values serve as useful upper-bound estimates of per-cell sensitivity. This framework provides a reproducible method for normalizing toxicity data across taxa and improves the interpretation of contaminant sensitivity under low-biomass conditions without directly predicting ecological risk in situ.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18204,"journal":{"name":"Marine environmental research","volume":"216 ","pages":"Article 107861"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146006815","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-16DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2026.107864
Vinicius J. Giglio , Carine O. Fogliarini , Mariana G. Bender , Carlos E.L. Ferreira
Marine protected areas (MPAs) are the main conservation tool for safeguarding biodiversity and ecological processes. However, their planning and effectiveness depend on a robust understanding of biodiversity patterns. We conducted a systematic review of the literature to investigate trends in biodiversity research within Brazilian MPAs. We evaluated the taxonomic groups, diversity facets (taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic), sampling approaches and geographic distribution of studies. Of the 191 articles reviewed, 71% investigated a single diversity facet and 29%% considered both taxonomic and functional facets. Despite an increase in research over recent decades, the literature remains taxonomically and geographically biased. Most studies focused on fishes (58%) and taxonomic diversity (52%), while 20% addressed functional diversity, and phylogenetic diversity was virtually absent. Vertebrates were overrepresented, and studies were concentrated in fully protected MPAs and in Southeastern, Eastern, and Northeastern ecoregions. Most articles (93%) generated primary data, mainly through diver-based and imaging surveys. The limited integration across diversity facets may hinder a comprehensive understanding of ecological processes and effective conservation planning. We identify knowledge gaps and recommend expanding research efforts to underrepresented regions, taxa, and diversity facets. We encourage basic diversity research through species inventories for poorly known taxa and MPAs. Incorporating diversity facets will contribute to improving the ecological representativeness and resilience of Brazilian MPAs.
{"title":"Trends in biodiversity research in Brazilian marine protected areas","authors":"Vinicius J. Giglio , Carine O. Fogliarini , Mariana G. Bender , Carlos E.L. Ferreira","doi":"10.1016/j.marenvres.2026.107864","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.marenvres.2026.107864","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Marine protected areas (MPAs) are the main conservation tool for safeguarding biodiversity and ecological processes. However, their planning and effectiveness depend on a robust understanding of biodiversity patterns. We conducted a systematic review of the literature to investigate trends in biodiversity research within Brazilian MPAs. We evaluated the taxonomic groups, diversity facets (taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic), sampling approaches and geographic distribution of studies. Of the 191 articles reviewed, 71% investigated a single diversity facet and 29%% considered both taxonomic and functional facets. Despite an increase in research over recent decades, the literature remains taxonomically and geographically biased. Most studies focused on fishes (58%) and taxonomic diversity (52%), while 20% addressed functional diversity, and phylogenetic diversity was virtually absent. Vertebrates were overrepresented, and studies were concentrated in fully protected MPAs and in Southeastern, Eastern, and Northeastern ecoregions. Most articles (93%) generated primary data, mainly through diver-based and imaging surveys. The limited integration across diversity facets may hinder a comprehensive understanding of ecological processes and effective conservation planning. We identify knowledge gaps and recommend expanding research efforts to underrepresented regions, taxa, and diversity facets. We encourage basic diversity research through species inventories for poorly known taxa and MPAs. Incorporating diversity facets will contribute to improving the ecological representativeness and resilience of Brazilian MPAs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18204,"journal":{"name":"Marine environmental research","volume":"216 ","pages":"Article 107864"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146006816","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-14DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2026.107854
G.M. Fragoso , Nalia Hama , Elisabeth Snijder , David Aldridge , Ana R. Borrero-Santiago , Ole Jacob Broch , Geir Johnsen , Yngvar Olsen , Maja Hatlebakk
Seaweed cultivation offers a potentially sustainable solution for biomass production. However, in Norway, biomass quality at kelp farms is affected by biofouling, typically from encrusting bryozoans, such as Membranipora membranacea and Electra pilosa. This study investigated the drivers of bryozoan biofouling at a kelp farm in the coast of central Norway in 2022 and 2023. Environmental variables (temperature, salinity, turbidity, light, nutrients and wind), phytoplankton concentrations (chlorophyll a and size structure), and bryozoan (cyphonautes) larval size, abundance and recruitment on the kelp species, Saccharina latissima, were monitored. Phytoplankton biomass and size structure were monitored because cyphonautes are planktotrophic, therefore, phytoplankton was used as a proxy for food availability. Spring phytoplankton blooms (up to ∼ 6 mg chlorophyll a m−3) followed increased irradiance and reduced mixing, with cyphonautes larvae showing two main abundance peaks – in April (∼200–400 ind m−3), 1–2 weeks after the onset of the bloom - and in June (∼450 ind m−3). Larval abundance was associated with low salinity (value ∼ 32), stratified, fresher coastal waters. Membranipora membranacea larvae were generally more abundant and reached larger sizes (up to 0.6 mm in length) during the spring settlement period (late April–June). Larval size, rather than abundance alone, was most closely related to subsequent colony settlement, highlighting the importance of larval maturity for predicting biofouling risk. Colony abundance, size, and areal coverage were higher in earlier-deployed kelp (October 2022 versus January 2023) and increased exponentially from May (<1 %) to late June (up to 11 %). Recruitment peaked during a sharp increase in temperature (1–2 °C in a few days) and was low during a period with high wind speed (up to 15 m s−1). Our findings demonstrate that food availability, water column stability, rapid temperature increases and cyphonautes size structure are the dominant factors influencing bryozoan biofouling on kelp.
{"title":"The influence of environmental factors and phytoplankton blooms on cyphonautes larvae abundance and bryozoan colony development at a kelp farm in central Norway","authors":"G.M. Fragoso , Nalia Hama , Elisabeth Snijder , David Aldridge , Ana R. Borrero-Santiago , Ole Jacob Broch , Geir Johnsen , Yngvar Olsen , Maja Hatlebakk","doi":"10.1016/j.marenvres.2026.107854","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.marenvres.2026.107854","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Seaweed cultivation offers a potentially sustainable solution for biomass production. However, in Norway, biomass quality at kelp farms is affected by biofouling, typically from encrusting bryozoans, such as <em>Membranipora membranacea</em> and <em>Electra pilosa.</em> This study investigated the drivers of bryozoan biofouling at a kelp farm in the coast of central Norway in 2022 and 2023. Environmental variables (temperature, salinity, turbidity, light, nutrients and wind), phytoplankton concentrations (chlorophyll <em>a</em> and size structure), and bryozoan (cyphonautes) larval size, abundance and recruitment on the kelp species, <em>Saccharina latissima</em>, were monitored. Phytoplankton biomass and size structure were monitored because cyphonautes are planktotrophic, therefore, phytoplankton was used as a proxy for food availability. Spring phytoplankton blooms (up to ∼ 6 mg chlorophyll <em>a</em> m<sup>−3</sup>) followed increased irradiance and reduced mixing, with cyphonautes larvae showing two main abundance peaks – in April (∼200–400 ind m<sup>−3</sup>), 1–2 weeks after the onset of the bloom - and in June (∼450 ind m<sup>−3</sup>). Larval abundance was associated with low salinity (value ∼ 32), stratified, fresher coastal waters. <em>Membranipora membranacea</em> larvae were generally more abundant and reached larger sizes (up to 0.6 mm in length) during the spring settlement period (late April–June). Larval size, rather than abundance alone, was most closely related to subsequent colony settlement, highlighting the importance of larval maturity for predicting biofouling risk. Colony abundance, size, and areal coverage were higher in earlier-deployed kelp (October 2022 versus January 2023) and increased exponentially from May (<1 %) to late June (up to 11 %). Recruitment peaked during a sharp increase in temperature (1–2 °C in a few days) and was low during a period with high wind speed (up to 15 m s<sup>−1</sup>). Our findings demonstrate that food availability, water column stability, rapid temperature increases and cyphonautes size structure are the dominant factors influencing bryozoan biofouling on kelp.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18204,"journal":{"name":"Marine environmental research","volume":"215 ","pages":"Article 107854"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145998595","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-14DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2026.107856
Jesse M.A. van der Grient , Barend Stander , Paul Brickle , Simon A. Morley
Ocean warming affects ectotherm physiological and phenological processes, potentially creating mismatches between early life stages and their prey. Seasonal spawning cohorts are thought to provide flexibility in responding to environmental variability, but if there is seasonal adaptation between these cohorts, then they may respond to ocean warming differently, affecting species resilience and potentially impacting the wider food web. We tested the response to warming of egg masses and paralarvae from two spawning cohorts (autumn and spring) of the Patagonian squid (Doryteuthis gahi). Treated egg masses were exposed to a strict warming regime while control eggs were exposed to air temperature-driven temperature changes. Egg mass respiration estimates demonstrated that higher temperatures resulted in higher respiration rates (metabolic processes), although no additional influence of the rate and magnitude of warming was detected. There were differences in paralarvae size and weight, with the treated autumn cohort containing smaller and lighter paralarvae, which could affect larval duration, especially if early hatching times and smaller hatchlings cause mismatches with their prey or increased predation. This suggests that temperature could influence survival and recruitment success. Greater understanding is required of how temperature changes influence squid phenology (e.g., from timing of egg laying to paralarvae growth and survival) and its likely influence on biomass at adult feeding grounds, which are also important fishing grounds. Further targeted studies could improve the prediction of future impacts on marine food webs, indicating if, for example, changing the timing of fishing seasons, in response to environmental cues would be a useful climate adaptation strategy for the Falkland Islands.
{"title":"Thermal responses and climate change implications of spring and autumn spawning Patagonian squid (Doryteuthis gahi) embryos","authors":"Jesse M.A. van der Grient , Barend Stander , Paul Brickle , Simon A. Morley","doi":"10.1016/j.marenvres.2026.107856","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.marenvres.2026.107856","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Ocean warming affects ectotherm physiological and phenological processes, potentially creating mismatches between early life stages and their prey. Seasonal spawning cohorts are thought to provide flexibility in responding to environmental variability, but if there is seasonal adaptation between these cohorts, then they may respond to ocean warming differently, affecting species resilience and potentially impacting the wider food web. We tested the response to warming of egg masses and paralarvae from two spawning cohorts (autumn and spring) of the Patagonian squid (<em>Doryteuthis gahi</em>). Treated egg masses were exposed to a strict warming regime while control eggs were exposed to air temperature-driven temperature changes. Egg mass respiration estimates demonstrated that higher temperatures resulted in higher respiration rates (metabolic processes), although no additional influence of the rate and magnitude of warming was detected. There were differences in paralarvae size and weight, with the treated autumn cohort containing smaller and lighter paralarvae, which could affect larval duration, especially if early hatching times and smaller hatchlings cause mismatches with their prey or increased predation. This suggests that temperature could influence survival and recruitment success. Greater understanding is required of how temperature changes influence squid phenology (e.g., from timing of egg laying to paralarvae growth and survival) and its likely influence on biomass at adult feeding grounds, which are also important fishing grounds. Further targeted studies could improve the prediction of future impacts on marine food webs, indicating if, for example, changing the timing of fishing seasons, in response to environmental cues would be a useful climate adaptation strategy for the Falkland Islands.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18204,"journal":{"name":"Marine environmental research","volume":"215 ","pages":"Article 107856"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145998591","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-13DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2026.107851
Ziyang Shi , Fajin Chen , Xiao Chen , Guangzhe Jin , Chao Wang , Machendiranathan Mayakrishnan
Typhoons significantly influence the spatiotemporal dynamics of submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) and associated nutrient fluxes in coastal systems. This study investigates the impact of multiple typhoon events of Typhoons Lionrock and Kompasu on the distribution of 222Rn and SGD in Zhanjiang Bay, South China, and evaluates the consequent variations in nutrient (DIP, NO2− + NO3−, DSi) inputs via SGD. Results show that typhoons induce a substantial increase in SGD fluxes, with peak post-typhoon values reaching up to 8 times pre-typhoon levels, primarily driven by intense rainfall that enhances the inland hydraulic gradient and recharges coastal aquifers. The spatial pattern of 222Rn activity shifts from weak pre-typhoon salinity correlation to a strong negative correlation post-typhoon, indicating a dominant contribution of low-salinity, freshwater SGD. Despite significant spatial variability in 222Rn, zonal analysis confirms that SGD rates in Zhanjiang Bay fall within the global typical range, with slightly higher values likely due to coarse-grained sediments enhancing permeability. Nutrient fluxes via SGD increase dramatically after typhoons, with DSi, DIP, and NO2− + NO3− fluxes rising by 46.54 %, 119.56 %, and 47.51 %, respectively, during the peak event. DSi and NO2− + NO3− exhibit conservative behavior and strong correlation with SGD, whereas NO2− + NO3− dynamics are complicated by active microbial processes. Notably, SGD-derived nutrient inputs during typhoons may act as the primary driver of nutrient loading and a critical factor in the potential eutrophication of Zhanjiang Bay.
{"title":"Enhanced submarine groundwater discharge and nutrient fluxes in response to typhoon events in Zhanjiang Bay, China","authors":"Ziyang Shi , Fajin Chen , Xiao Chen , Guangzhe Jin , Chao Wang , Machendiranathan Mayakrishnan","doi":"10.1016/j.marenvres.2026.107851","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.marenvres.2026.107851","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Typhoons significantly influence the spatiotemporal dynamics of submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) and associated nutrient fluxes in coastal systems. This study investigates the impact of multiple typhoon events of Typhoons Lionrock and Kompasu on the distribution of <sup>222</sup>Rn and SGD in Zhanjiang Bay, South China, and evaluates the consequent variations in nutrient (DIP, NO<sub>2</sub><sup>−</sup> + NO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup>, DSi) inputs via SGD. Results show that typhoons induce a substantial increase in SGD fluxes, with peak post-typhoon values reaching up to 8 times pre-typhoon levels, primarily driven by intense rainfall that enhances the inland hydraulic gradient and recharges coastal aquifers. The spatial pattern of <sup>222</sup>Rn activity shifts from weak pre-typhoon salinity correlation to a strong negative correlation post-typhoon, indicating a dominant contribution of low-salinity, freshwater SGD. Despite significant spatial variability in <sup>222</sup>Rn, zonal analysis confirms that SGD rates in Zhanjiang Bay fall within the global typical range, with slightly higher values likely due to coarse-grained sediments enhancing permeability. Nutrient fluxes via SGD increase dramatically after typhoons, with DSi, DIP, and NO<sub>2</sub><sup>−</sup> + NO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup> fluxes rising by 46.54 %, 119.56 %, and 47.51 %, respectively, during the peak event. DSi and NO<sub>2</sub><sup>−</sup> + NO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup> exhibit conservative behavior and strong correlation with SGD, whereas NO<sub>2</sub><sup>−</sup> + NO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup> dynamics are complicated by active microbial processes. Notably, SGD-derived nutrient inputs during typhoons may act as the primary driver of nutrient loading and a critical factor in the potential eutrophication of Zhanjiang Bay.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18204,"journal":{"name":"Marine environmental research","volume":"215 ","pages":"Article 107851"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145998584","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-13DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2026.107852
Jiyao Sui , Huifang Bi , Rengyu Yue , Haiyan Fu , Aili Yang , Chunjiang An
Persistent oil contamination along coastlines can be treated by surface washing agents (SWAs), while low-temperature conditions can significantly impact the effectiveness of SWAs in oil removal. This study investigates the oil removal performance of a commercial SWA for oiled shoreline sand in cold-region environments. Batch oil removal tests were conducted to explore the effectiveness of this SWA under different conditions (i.e., SWA concentration, salinity, humic acid concentration, and kaolinite concentration). The results show that the SWA exhibited high oil removal efficiency even under cold conditions. Higher SWA and kaolinite concentrations were beneficial for oil removal, but humic acid had negative effects on the oil removal performance. In terms of salinity, the oil removal efficiency of SWA first increased (peaking at 1.0 wt%) and then gradually decreased as the salinity increased from 0 to 3.5 wt%. Factorial analysis further revealed that salinity significantly modulates the influence of SWA concentration on oil removal from shoreline sand. This work indicates the great potential of SWA as a spill treating agent for shoreline cleanup, especially in cold regions with increasing risks of oil spills resulting from climate change.
{"title":"Assessing the performance of a surface washing agent for oil removal from sand in cold environments","authors":"Jiyao Sui , Huifang Bi , Rengyu Yue , Haiyan Fu , Aili Yang , Chunjiang An","doi":"10.1016/j.marenvres.2026.107852","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.marenvres.2026.107852","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Persistent oil contamination along coastlines can be treated by surface washing agents (SWAs), while low-temperature conditions can significantly impact the effectiveness of SWAs in oil removal. This study investigates the oil removal performance of a commercial SWA for oiled shoreline sand in cold-region environments. Batch oil removal tests were conducted to explore the effectiveness of this SWA under different conditions (i.e., SWA concentration, salinity, humic acid concentration, and kaolinite concentration). The results show that the SWA exhibited high oil removal efficiency even under cold conditions. Higher SWA and kaolinite concentrations were beneficial for oil removal, but humic acid had negative effects on the oil removal performance. In terms of salinity, the oil removal efficiency of SWA first increased (peaking at 1.0 wt%) and then gradually decreased as the salinity increased from 0 to 3.5 wt%. Factorial analysis further revealed that salinity significantly modulates the influence of SWA concentration on oil removal from shoreline sand. This work indicates the great potential of SWA as a spill treating agent for shoreline cleanup, especially in cold regions with increasing risks of oil spills resulting from climate change.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18204,"journal":{"name":"Marine environmental research","volume":"215 ","pages":"Article 107852"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145978531","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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