Pub Date : 2025-09-23DOI: 10.1016/j.seares.2025.102631
Nene Lefaible , Carl Van Colen , Christelle Jammar , Jan Vanaverbeke , Tom Moens , Sven Van Haelst , Alain Norro , Steven Degraer , Ulrike Braeckman
With the rapid expansion of offshore energy, numerous artificial structures are being installed on the seabed, including wind turbine foundations. This study investigates the “artificial reef” (AR) effect of bottom-fixed offshore wind farms (OWFs) on soft sediment benthic communities. While previous studies have focused on distances ≥30 m from turbines, in this study, sediment and macrobenthic samples were collected at shorter distances (1 m, 7 m, 15 m and 25 m) from the scour protection layer (SPL) around a monopile and a gravity-based foundation in two Belgian OWFs, 10–13 years post-installation. Results show a localized AR footprint for both turbine foundations, with enriched benthic communities within 15 m of the SPL. In comparison to communities 25 m distanced away from the SPL, a higher average species richness (+100 %), abundance (+117 %), functional richness (+438 %), and bioturbation potential (+86 %) was prevalent, whereas the magnitude of enriched structural and functional diversity in the footprint varied respectively between 16 and 80 % and 15–110 % depending on the OWF. Beyond the AR footprint, communities resembled those at reference sites (240–570 m), with less surface dwellers, suspension feeders and a prevalence of burrowing biodiffusors that contribute little to bioturbation. While the AR effect's magnitude depends on local conditions and foundation design, our trait-based analysis indicates that sediment fining, biofouling drop-offs and organic enrichment are consistent drivers shaping the AR footprint.
{"title":"Laying out the foundations: Assessing the spatial extent and drivers of offshore wind turbine artificial reef effects on soft sediments","authors":"Nene Lefaible , Carl Van Colen , Christelle Jammar , Jan Vanaverbeke , Tom Moens , Sven Van Haelst , Alain Norro , Steven Degraer , Ulrike Braeckman","doi":"10.1016/j.seares.2025.102631","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.seares.2025.102631","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>With the rapid expansion of offshore energy, numerous artificial structures are being installed on the seabed, including wind turbine foundations. This study investigates the “artificial reef” (AR) effect of bottom-fixed offshore wind farms (OWFs) on soft sediment benthic communities. While previous studies have focused on distances ≥30 m from turbines, in this study, sediment and macrobenthic samples were collected at shorter distances (1 m, 7 m, 15 m and 25 m) from the scour protection layer (SPL) around a monopile and a gravity-based foundation in two Belgian OWFs, 10–13 years post-installation. Results show a localized AR footprint for both turbine foundations, with enriched benthic communities within 15 m of the SPL. In comparison to communities 25 m distanced away from the SPL, a higher average species richness (+100 %), abundance (+117 %), functional richness (+438 %), and bioturbation potential (+86 %) was prevalent, whereas the magnitude of enriched structural and functional diversity in the footprint varied respectively between 16 and 80 % and 15–110 % depending on the OWF. Beyond the AR footprint, communities resembled those at reference sites (240–570 m), with less surface dwellers, suspension feeders and a prevalence of burrowing biodiffusors that contribute little to bioturbation. While the AR effect's magnitude depends on local conditions and foundation design, our trait-based analysis indicates that sediment fining, biofouling drop-offs and organic enrichment are consistent drivers shaping the AR footprint.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50056,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Sea Research","volume":"208 ","pages":"Article 102631"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145159292","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-09-17DOI: 10.1016/j.seares.2025.102630
Louisa Alina Schulz, Mayya Gogina , René Friedland , Fabian Wolf , Katharina Kniesz , Michael Lothar Zettler
Arctica islandica, a long-lived bivalve species, reaches its southern distribution limit in the Baltic Sea, where it plays a key role in benthic ecosystem functioning. In this region, the species is listed as vulnerable, and its main associated biotope holds critically endangered status. Despite its ecological importance, current knowledge of its distribution and population structure in this marginal environment has remained limited.
This study presents the most comprehensive assessment to date of A. islandica in the German waters of the Baltic Sea, integrating species distribution modelling (SDM) with empirical data on population structure. Using Random Forest algorithms and benthic survey data collected between 2015 and 2024, we mapped spatial patterns of abundance and biomass and analysed size-frequency distributions to assess demographic trends.
Arctica islandica was primarily found in fine sediments below the halocline in the central Kiel Bay and the Bay of Mecklenburg, and was absent from shallower coastal zones (<10 m). The recorded maximum shell length of 82.5 mm was smaller than in Atlantic populations, likely due to the brackish conditions. Size-frequency data indicated recent recruitment events alongside high early-life mortality. While the Baltic Sea population appears broadly stable, regional shifts were evident – for example, increased stock biomass in the Arkona Basin but also a population decline in Lübeck Bay.
In the Baltic Sea, A. islandica lives near its physiological tolerance limits, making it particularly susceptible to anthropogenic impacts and climate-driven environmental change. Population hotspots within the Marine Protected Area “Fehmarn Belt” were identified as conservation priorities, supporting both species protection and ecosystem functioning. More broadly, this study demonstrates the utility of SDM in supporting evidence-based marine spatial planning and targeted environmental management.
{"title":"Recent distribution and population structure of the ocean quahog, Arctica islandica (Linnaeus, 1767), in the German waters of the Baltic Sea – Ecological insights and relevance for conservation","authors":"Louisa Alina Schulz, Mayya Gogina , René Friedland , Fabian Wolf , Katharina Kniesz , Michael Lothar Zettler","doi":"10.1016/j.seares.2025.102630","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.seares.2025.102630","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Arctica islandica,</em> a long-lived bivalve species, reaches its southern distribution limit in the Baltic Sea, where it plays a key role in benthic ecosystem functioning. In this region, the species is listed as vulnerable, and its main associated biotope holds critically endangered status. Despite its ecological importance, current knowledge of its distribution and population structure in this marginal environment has remained limited.</div><div>This study presents the most comprehensive assessment to date of <em>A. islandica</em> in the German waters of the Baltic Sea, integrating species distribution modelling (SDM) with empirical data on population structure. Using Random Forest algorithms and benthic survey data collected between 2015 and 2024, we mapped spatial patterns of abundance and biomass and analysed size-frequency distributions to assess demographic trends.</div><div><em>Arctica islandica</em> was primarily found in fine sediments below the halocline in the central Kiel Bay and the Bay of Mecklenburg, and was absent from shallower coastal zones (<10 m). The recorded maximum shell length of 82.5 mm was smaller than in Atlantic populations, likely due to the brackish conditions. Size-frequency data indicated recent recruitment events alongside high early-life mortality. While the Baltic Sea population appears broadly stable, regional shifts were evident – for example, increased stock biomass in the Arkona Basin but also a population decline in Lübeck Bay.</div><div>In the Baltic Sea, <em>A. islandica</em> lives near its physiological tolerance limits, making it particularly susceptible to anthropogenic impacts and climate-driven environmental change. Population hotspots within the Marine Protected Area “Fehmarn Belt” were identified as conservation priorities, supporting both species protection and ecosystem functioning. More broadly, this study demonstrates the utility of SDM in supporting evidence-based marine spatial planning and targeted environmental management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50056,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Sea Research","volume":"208 ","pages":"Article 102630"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145097748","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-09-11DOI: 10.1016/j.seares.2025.102627
Ninon Mavraki , Oscar G. Bos , Babeth van der Weide , Oliver Bittner , Brigitte M. Vlaswinkel , Melina Nalmpanti , Joop W.P. Coolen
Offshore renewable energy is rapidly expanding in the North Sea. Offshore solar is a new renewable energy technology currently developing in the Netherlands, with the first offshore tests of four years at rough conditions being successfully completed. Submerged parts of offshore renewable energy devices get fully colonised by fouling organisms, which take advantage of the new artificial habitats. In this study, we conducted an exploration of the fouling fauna that colonised the floaters of a solar farm installed for the first time in offshore waters in the Netherlands. The biofouling attached to the underwater parts of 18 floaters forming 3 clusters were sampled in a quantitative way by scuba divers. Macrofauna species and biomass were quantified in all samples. In total, 47 different taxa, including 12 non-indigenous species, were identified to occur on the floaters. Arthropoda (mainly individuals of the genus Jassa) was the most abundant phylum, while Mollusca (mainly blue mussel Mytilus edulis) showed the largest biomass. No significant differences in abundance nor biomass were observed between the two months of installation. Non-indigenous species were more abundant in number but contributed less to the total biomass compared to native species on the examined floaters, regardless of the month they were installed. The findings of this study suggest that, like any offshore artificial structure, offshore solar farms could act as stepping-stones for the spread of species. However, long-term monitoring is needed to confirm these results and gain a more comprehensive understanding of the development of fouling fauna on offshore solar farms.
{"title":"Inventory of the biofouling community on the first offshore solar energy farm in the North Sea","authors":"Ninon Mavraki , Oscar G. Bos , Babeth van der Weide , Oliver Bittner , Brigitte M. Vlaswinkel , Melina Nalmpanti , Joop W.P. Coolen","doi":"10.1016/j.seares.2025.102627","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.seares.2025.102627","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Offshore renewable energy is rapidly expanding in the North Sea. Offshore solar is a new renewable energy technology currently developing in the Netherlands, with the first offshore tests of four years at rough conditions being successfully completed. Submerged parts of offshore renewable energy devices get fully colonised by fouling organisms, which take advantage of the new artificial habitats. In this study, we conducted an exploration of the fouling fauna that colonised the floaters of a solar farm installed for the first time in offshore waters in the Netherlands. The biofouling attached to the underwater parts of 18 floaters forming 3 clusters were sampled in a quantitative way by scuba divers. Macrofauna species and biomass were quantified in all samples. In total, 47 different taxa, including 12 non-indigenous species, were identified to occur on the floaters. Arthropoda (mainly individuals of the genus <em>Jassa</em>) was the most abundant phylum, while Mollusca (mainly blue mussel <em>Mytilus edulis</em>) showed the largest biomass. No significant differences in abundance nor biomass were observed between the two months of installation. Non-indigenous species were more abundant in number but contributed less to the total biomass compared to native species on the examined floaters, regardless of the month they were installed. The findings of this study suggest that, like any offshore artificial structure, offshore solar farms could act as stepping-stones for the spread of species. However, long-term monitoring is needed to confirm these results and gain a more comprehensive understanding of the development of fouling fauna on offshore solar farms.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50056,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Sea Research","volume":"208 ","pages":"Article 102627"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145050277","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-09-11DOI: 10.1016/j.seares.2025.102626
Chengming Zong , Zhizhong Lu , Yanbo Wei
Obtaining wave information near the ship's location is not only crucial for ensuring navigation safety, but also an important basis for meteorological forecasting and disaster prevention, which is of great significance for marine engineering and scientific research. To further improve the estimation accuracy of significant wave height (SWH) from non-coherent X-band marine radar image, a wave height measurement method is proposed based on the feature fusion and radial basis function (RBF) network. The wave slope and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) extracted from radar image and environmental factors such as wave direction and wind information are introduced to establish the feature vector as the input of RBF network. By training the RBF network model, accurate estimation of SWH is achieved. The measured radar data is used for experimental verification, and the experimental results show that the feature fusion method proposed has higher accuracy and reliability in calculating SWH than the shadow statistical method and the traditional SNR-based method, when the environmental factor of wind information and wave direction is considered. The correlation coefficient between buoy record and estimated SWH approaches 0.92, and the root mean square error deceases to 0.21 m.
{"title":"Wave height measurement based on feature fusion extracted from marine radar images","authors":"Chengming Zong , Zhizhong Lu , Yanbo Wei","doi":"10.1016/j.seares.2025.102626","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.seares.2025.102626","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Obtaining wave information near the ship's location is not only crucial for ensuring navigation safety, but also an important basis for meteorological forecasting and disaster prevention, which is of great significance for marine engineering and scientific research. To further improve the estimation accuracy of significant wave height (SWH) from non-coherent X-band marine radar image, a wave height measurement method is proposed based on the feature fusion and radial basis function (RBF) network. The wave slope and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) extracted from radar image and environmental factors such as wave direction and wind information are introduced to establish the feature vector as the input of RBF network. By training the RBF network model, accurate estimation of SWH is achieved. The measured radar data is used for experimental verification, and the experimental results show that the feature fusion method proposed has higher accuracy and reliability in calculating SWH than the shadow statistical method and the traditional SNR-based method, when the environmental factor of wind information and wave direction is considered. The correlation coefficient between buoy record and estimated SWH approaches 0.92, and the root mean square error deceases to 0.21 m.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50056,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Sea Research","volume":"208 ","pages":"Article 102626"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145060758","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-09-10DOI: 10.1016/j.seares.2025.102628
Hui Liu , Bailey Lin , Christine C. Jensen , Jaime R. Alvarado-Bremer , Hongsheng Bi , Zhixuan Song , Chengxue Li , Xinping Hu
Dramatic declines in oyster reefs in estuarine ecosystems have drawn considerable attention to oyster restoration; however, most efforts so far have primarily targeted their benthic phase leaving the pelagic oyster larvae largely elusive. In this study, the density, distribution, and size-structure of pelagic larval oysters (Crassostrea virginica) were studied in a subtropical estuary (Galveston Bay, Texas, USA) during the oyster spawning season (May–October) in 2023 and 2024 to assess the impact of environmental conditions on larval dynamics and recruitment. Except for relatively similar thermal conditions, salinity and chlorophyll a (Chl-a) were significantly different between the two years with extremely low salinities observed in May and June of 2024. Larval density was significantly related to sites and months, with relatively lower densities observed at 9 of 11 sites and 4 of 6 months in 2024 compared to 2023. Size structures of pelagic larvae exhibited significant differences between the early-middle (May–August) and late (September–October) spawning periods, with abundant small-sized individuals (70–200 μm) gradually shifting to less abundant large-sized individuals (>250 μm). A breakdown of the life stages showed higher percentages of Stages 1&2 and lower percentages of Stage 5 over the two spawning seasons. Salinity was the most important environmental factor influencing the larval density followed by its interaction with water temperature, water temperature and Chl-a. Geostatistical co-kriging analysis disclosed relatively high larval density in the upper bay, East Bay, and West Bay in 2023, while in 2024 higher density was found along the western shoreline down to West Bay. Early-stage larvae appeared denser in the lower bay compared to the middle bay and upper bay in 2023, whereas abundant late-stage larvae emerged in the lower bay in 2023. In the northern inshore zone, denser early-stage larvae occurred in 2024, meanwhile late-stage larvae appeared relatively abundant, especially in the northwest and southwest regions. Finding areas with higher densities of early- and late-stage pelagic oyster larvae may help identify larval sources and sinks. These insights can better inform the strategic placement of oyster sanctuaries and enhance the effectiveness of restoration and management efforts for this economically and ecologically important marine living resource.
{"title":"Exploration of enigmatic pelagic larval oysters (Crassostrea virginica) fostering estuarine restoration of oyster fisheries","authors":"Hui Liu , Bailey Lin , Christine C. Jensen , Jaime R. Alvarado-Bremer , Hongsheng Bi , Zhixuan Song , Chengxue Li , Xinping Hu","doi":"10.1016/j.seares.2025.102628","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.seares.2025.102628","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Dramatic declines in oyster reefs in estuarine ecosystems have drawn considerable attention to oyster restoration; however, most efforts so far have primarily targeted their benthic phase leaving the pelagic oyster larvae largely elusive. In this study, the density, distribution, and size-structure of pelagic larval oysters (<em>Crassostrea virginica</em>) were studied in a subtropical estuary (Galveston Bay, Texas, USA) during the oyster spawning season (May–October) in 2023 and 2024 to assess the impact of environmental conditions on larval dynamics and recruitment. Except for relatively similar thermal conditions, salinity and chlorophyll <em>a</em> (Chl-<em>a</em>) were significantly different between the two years with extremely low salinities observed in May and June of 2024. Larval density was significantly related to sites and months, with relatively lower densities observed at 9 of 11 sites and 4 of 6 months in 2024 compared to 2023. Size structures of pelagic larvae exhibited significant differences between the early-middle (May–August) and late (September–October) spawning periods, with abundant small-sized individuals (70–200 μm) gradually shifting to less abundant large-sized individuals (>250 μm). A breakdown of the life stages showed higher percentages of Stages 1&2 and lower percentages of Stage 5 over the two spawning seasons. Salinity was the most important environmental factor influencing the larval density followed by its interaction with water temperature, water temperature and Chl-<em>a</em>. Geostatistical co-kriging analysis disclosed relatively high larval density in the upper bay, East Bay, and West Bay in 2023, while in 2024 higher density was found along the western shoreline down to West Bay. Early-stage larvae appeared denser in the lower bay compared to the middle bay and upper bay in 2023, whereas abundant late-stage larvae emerged in the lower bay in 2023. In the northern inshore zone, denser early-stage larvae occurred in 2024, meanwhile late-stage larvae appeared relatively abundant, especially in the northwest and southwest regions. Finding areas with higher densities of early- and late-stage pelagic oyster larvae may help identify larval sources and sinks. These insights can better inform the strategic placement of oyster sanctuaries and enhance the effectiveness of restoration and management efforts for this economically and ecologically important marine living resource.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50056,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Sea Research","volume":"208 ","pages":"Article 102628"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145109454","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-09-04DOI: 10.1016/j.seares.2025.102625
M. Matabos , M. Cannat , V. Ballu , T. Barreyre , J. Blandin , A. Castillo , C. Cathalot , V. Chavagnac , N.C. Chu , A. Colaço , W. Crawford , J. Escartin , B. Ferron , F. Fontaine , L. Gautier , A. Godfroy , A. Laes-Huon , N. Lanteri , H. Leau , J. Legrand , P.M. Sarradin
Faced with climate change and the increasing interest for the deep ocean and ocean resources exploitation in particular, there is an urgent need for more comprehensive studies of deep-sea ecosystems. Hydrothermal vents are key areas for thermo-chemical exchanges between the lithosphere and hydrosphere and host unique biodiversity. Since 2010, the EMSO-Azores observatory has maintained arrays of multidisciplinary sensors at the Lucky Strike Hydrothermal Field (LSHF; 1700 m water depth), on the slow spreading mid-Atlantic ridge. This infrastructure, combined with repeated yearly sampling during the MoMARSAT maintenance cruises, aims at understanding the feedbacks between tectonics, volcanism and hydrothermal circulation, the coupling between these processes and the hydrothermal ecosystem, and their impacts on the water column. In this review, we summarize 15 years of integrated and multidisciplinary study at LSHF and discuss the societal relevance of this observatory. Hydrothermal circulation is strongly constrained by crust permeability and the availability of magmatic heat. Its variability accounts for the spatial heterogeneity of chemical fluxes and biological communities observed. Tidal modulation of seafloor pressure and near seafloor currents impact venting temperatures, species behaviour, and their physiology. Tidal currents also influence plume dynamics and facilitate particle export to the ocean. At pluri-annual scales, geological events (faulting, seismicity, and magmatic replenishment) have led to changes in fluid chemistry, impacting local microbial communities. However, results obtained over the 15 years of monitoring point to a relative stability of the overall vent system, challenging the idea that hydrothermal vents communities are highly dynamic and ephemeral habitats at decadal timescales.
{"title":"The EMSO-Azores deep-sea observatory: 15 years of multidisciplinary studies of the lucky strike hydrothermal system, from sub-seafloor to the water column","authors":"M. Matabos , M. Cannat , V. Ballu , T. Barreyre , J. Blandin , A. Castillo , C. Cathalot , V. Chavagnac , N.C. Chu , A. Colaço , W. Crawford , J. Escartin , B. Ferron , F. Fontaine , L. Gautier , A. Godfroy , A. Laes-Huon , N. Lanteri , H. Leau , J. Legrand , P.M. Sarradin","doi":"10.1016/j.seares.2025.102625","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.seares.2025.102625","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Faced with climate change and the increasing interest for the deep ocean and ocean resources exploitation in particular, there is an urgent need for more comprehensive studies of deep-sea ecosystems. Hydrothermal vents are key areas for thermo-chemical exchanges between the lithosphere and hydrosphere and host unique biodiversity. Since 2010, the EMSO-Azores observatory has maintained arrays of multidisciplinary sensors at the Lucky Strike Hydrothermal Field (LSHF; 1700 m water depth), on the slow spreading mid-Atlantic ridge. This infrastructure, combined with repeated yearly sampling during the MoMARSAT maintenance cruises, aims at understanding the feedbacks between tectonics, volcanism and hydrothermal circulation, the coupling between these processes and the hydrothermal ecosystem, and their impacts on the water column. In this review, we summarize 15 years of integrated and multidisciplinary study at LSHF and discuss the societal relevance of this observatory. Hydrothermal circulation is strongly constrained by crust permeability and the availability of magmatic heat. Its variability accounts for the spatial heterogeneity of chemical fluxes and biological communities observed. Tidal modulation of seafloor pressure and near seafloor currents impact venting temperatures, species behaviour, and their physiology. Tidal currents also influence plume dynamics and facilitate particle export to the ocean. At pluri-annual scales, geological events (faulting, seismicity, and magmatic replenishment) have led to changes in fluid chemistry, impacting local microbial communities. However, results obtained over the 15 years of monitoring point to a relative stability of the overall vent system, challenging the idea that hydrothermal vents communities are highly dynamic and ephemeral habitats at decadal timescales.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50056,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Sea Research","volume":"207 ","pages":"Article 102625"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145026706","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-09-04DOI: 10.1016/j.seares.2025.102624
Si Jin Gwak , Sang Lyeol Kim , Hyung Gon Lee , Seung Won Jung , Ok Hwan Yu
Plastic production has been steadily increasing worldwide; however, research on the ecological impacts of expanded polystyrene (EPS) products commonly used in marine fishing activities remains limited. This study investigated the recruitment and succession patterns of macroinvertebrates colonizing the surface of expanded polystyrene buoys, aiming to understand community changes and provide insights for future marine plastic debris (MPD) management. Fouling macroinvertebrates were sampled monthly from expanded polystyrene surfaces in Jangmok Harbor using a scraper between March 2022 and March 2023. In a recruitment experiment, new expanded polystyrene buoys were deployed monthly; in a succession experiment, 12 expanded polystyrene buoys were deployed simultaneously, and in each experiment, three buoys ware retrieved every month during the study period. A total of 39 species were identified on expanded polystyrene surfaces, with a density of 10,177.4 ind./7.6 m2, biomass of 1059.1 g/m2, and a diversity of 0.7. The dominant species were Mollusca Mytilus galloprovincialis (40.8 %), Cnidaria Actinia equina (29.1 %). The recruitment experiment showed seasonal variation in species richness, abundance, biomass, and diversity. The succession experiment demonstrated clear differences in community structure each month until a stable community began to form at 5 months after buoy deployment. Notably, two introduced species (Arthropoda Amphibalanus amphitrite and Annelida Hydroides elegans) settled on our expanded polystyrene buoys 1–2 months earlier than observed in previous studies. Together, this result demonstrate that expanded polystyrene buoys can function as habitats and dispersal vectors for opportunistic and introduced macroinvertebrates, potentially driving ecological disturbance in marine ecosystems.
{"title":"Recruitment and succession patterns of macroinvertebrates attached to expanded polystyrene marine plastic debris surfaces","authors":"Si Jin Gwak , Sang Lyeol Kim , Hyung Gon Lee , Seung Won Jung , Ok Hwan Yu","doi":"10.1016/j.seares.2025.102624","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.seares.2025.102624","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Plastic production has been steadily increasing worldwide; however, research on the ecological impacts of expanded polystyrene (EPS) products commonly used in marine fishing activities remains limited. This study investigated the recruitment and succession patterns of macroinvertebrates colonizing the surface of expanded polystyrene buoys, aiming to understand community changes and provide insights for future marine plastic debris (MPD) management. Fouling macroinvertebrates were sampled monthly from expanded polystyrene surfaces in Jangmok Harbor using a scraper between March 2022 and March 2023. In a recruitment experiment, new expanded polystyrene buoys were deployed monthly; in a succession experiment, 12 expanded polystyrene buoys were deployed simultaneously, and in each experiment, three buoys ware retrieved every month during the study period. A total of 39 species were identified on expanded polystyrene surfaces, with a density of 10,177.4 ind./7.6 m<sup>2</sup>, biomass of 1059.1 g/m<sup>2</sup>, and a diversity of 0.7. The dominant species were Mollusca <em>Mytilus galloprovincialis</em> (40.8 %), Cnidaria <em>Actinia equina</em> (29.1 %). The recruitment experiment showed seasonal variation in species richness, abundance, biomass, and diversity. The succession experiment demonstrated clear differences in community structure each month until a stable community began to form at 5 months after buoy deployment. Notably, two introduced species (Arthropoda <em>Amphibalanus amphitrite</em> and Annelida <em>Hydroides elegans</em>) settled on our expanded polystyrene buoys 1–2 months earlier than observed in previous studies. Together, this result demonstrate that expanded polystyrene buoys can function as habitats and dispersal vectors for opportunistic and introduced macroinvertebrates, potentially driving ecological disturbance in marine ecosystems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50056,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Sea Research","volume":"207 ","pages":"Article 102624"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145004294","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-08-31DOI: 10.1016/j.seares.2025.102623
Dain Kim , Sook-Jin Jang , Taewon Kim
Recent rapid climate change caused by global warming has significantly affected marine organisms, and species normally found in tropical zone have been reported in temperate zones. This cryptic range expansion may influence ecosystems due to interspecific competition for habitats, prey, and population reproductive resources with native species. In September 2021 and August 2022, we identified the tropical ghost crab species Ocypode ceratophthalmus in the southern region of the Korean Peninsula. To date, only three species of ghost crabs, O. stimpsoni, O. cordimana, and O. sinensis, had been reported. Morphologically, all specimens of O. ceratophthalmus possess a stridulating ridge composed of two parts of circular and horizontal lines but lack prolonged eyestalks. Species identification was confirmed using a partial sequence of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (mtCO1) gene for each individual given their morphological immaturity. Additionally, population genetic analyses using the mtCO1 and nuclear sodium‐potassium ATPase α-subunit (NaK intron) genes revealed the high genetic connectivity between Korean populations and the neighboring populations in Northeast Asia. The results of the neutrality test and mismatch distribution indicated that the Jeju population in South Korea experienced a recent population expansion. Given the oceanic flow of the Kuroshio Current and the smaller currents branching off, the genetic homogeneity of populations is anticipated to be a result of continuous immigration of individuals from more southern localities. These findings provide pivotal insights into the habitat expansion of the tropical crabs into temperate zones. Additionally, they inform conservation strategies for native crabs by enabling effect-based estimation of species range expansion and settlement.
{"title":"Possible evidence of range expansion of the tropical ghost crab Ocypode ceratophthalmus to a temperate region driven by climate change","authors":"Dain Kim , Sook-Jin Jang , Taewon Kim","doi":"10.1016/j.seares.2025.102623","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.seares.2025.102623","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Recent rapid climate change caused by global warming has significantly affected marine organisms, and species normally found in tropical zone have been reported in temperate zones. This cryptic range expansion may influence ecosystems due to interspecific competition for habitats, prey, and population reproductive resources with native species. In September 2021 and August 2022, we identified the tropical ghost crab species <em>Ocypode ceratophthalmus</em> in the southern region of the Korean Peninsula. To date, only three species of ghost crabs, <em>O. stimpsoni</em>, <em>O. cordimana</em>, and <em>O. sinensis</em>, had been reported. Morphologically, all specimens of <em>O. ceratophthalmus</em> possess a stridulating ridge composed of two parts of circular and horizontal lines but lack prolonged eyestalks. Species identification was confirmed using a partial sequence of the mitochondrial cytochrome <em>c</em> oxidase subunit I (<em>mtCO1</em>) gene for each individual given their morphological immaturity. Additionally, population genetic analyses using the <em>mtCO1</em> and nuclear sodium‐potassium ATPase α-subunit (<em>NaK</em> intron) genes revealed the high genetic connectivity between Korean populations and the neighboring populations in Northeast Asia. The results of the neutrality test and mismatch distribution indicated that the Jeju population in South Korea experienced a recent population expansion. Given the oceanic flow of the Kuroshio Current and the smaller currents branching off, the genetic homogeneity of populations is anticipated to be a result of continuous immigration of individuals from more southern localities. These findings provide pivotal insights into the habitat expansion of the tropical crabs into temperate zones. Additionally, they inform conservation strategies for native crabs by enabling effect-based estimation of species range expansion and settlement.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50056,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Sea Research","volume":"207 ","pages":"Article 102623"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-08-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145019144","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-08-30DOI: 10.1016/j.seares.2025.102621
Guandong Gao , Ming Feng , Lin Wang , Zhaoxuan Yang , Xingru Feng , Baoshu Yin
The emergence of SPMM (South Pacific Meridional Mode)-BYECS (Bohai, Yellow and East China Seas) interhemispheric teleconnection after the early 2000s contributed to extreme marine heatwaves in the BYECS, yet the underlying physical mechanism remains poorly understood. We examined this teleconnection comprehensively, utilizing observational data from multiple sources, and proposed a physical mechanism involving SPMM-ITCZ (Intertropical Convergence Zone)-WPSH (western Pacific subtropical high) variabilities. The weakened ITCZ associated with a positive SPMM resulted in a weakened sinking branch to the north, consequently increasing convection and precipitation in the western Pacific (150–180°E; 9–27°N). This weakened the WPSH by stimulating a cyclonic anomaly, which promoted moisture transport and precipitation on the eastern edge, establishing positive feedback. At the western edge of this cyclonic anomaly, strong northerly wind anomalies reduced moisture replenishment and caused descending anomalies over the eastern part of BYECS. High-pressure anomalies on the western side of the northerly wind anomalies also resulted in descending anomalies over the BYECS. The inhibited upward motion and moisture replenishment jointly led to reduced cloud cover and increased shortwave radiation, thereby increasing BYECS sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTa) alongside SPMM-SSTa. This study proposed new physical mechanisms regarding with SPMM-ITCZ-WPSH interhemispheric teleconnection which is crucial to climate prediction in marginal seas.
{"title":"Physical mechanisms behind the interhemispheric teleconnection between South Pacific Meridional Mode and Bohai, Yellow and East China Seas during boreal summers of 2001–2019","authors":"Guandong Gao , Ming Feng , Lin Wang , Zhaoxuan Yang , Xingru Feng , Baoshu Yin","doi":"10.1016/j.seares.2025.102621","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.seares.2025.102621","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The emergence of SPMM (South Pacific Meridional Mode)-BYECS (Bohai, Yellow and East China Seas) interhemispheric teleconnection after the early 2000s contributed to extreme marine heatwaves in the BYECS, yet the underlying physical mechanism remains poorly understood. We examined this teleconnection comprehensively, utilizing observational data from multiple sources, and proposed a physical mechanism involving SPMM-ITCZ (Intertropical Convergence Zone)-WPSH (western Pacific subtropical high) variabilities. The weakened ITCZ associated with a positive SPMM resulted in a weakened sinking branch to the north, consequently increasing convection and precipitation in the western Pacific (150–180°E; 9–27°N). This weakened the WPSH by stimulating a cyclonic anomaly, which promoted moisture transport and precipitation on the eastern edge, establishing positive feedback. At the western edge of this cyclonic anomaly, strong northerly wind anomalies reduced moisture replenishment and caused descending anomalies over the eastern part of BYECS. High-pressure anomalies on the western side of the northerly wind anomalies also resulted in descending anomalies over the BYECS. The inhibited upward motion and moisture replenishment jointly led to reduced cloud cover and increased shortwave radiation, thereby increasing BYECS sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTa) alongside SPMM-SSTa. This study proposed new physical mechanisms regarding with SPMM-ITCZ-WPSH interhemispheric teleconnection which is crucial to climate prediction in marginal seas.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50056,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Sea Research","volume":"207 ","pages":"Article 102621"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-08-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145004292","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-08-29DOI: 10.1016/j.seares.2025.102622
Jiarong Tang , Fei Zhang , Ngai Weng Chan , Verner Carl Johnson , Di Wu , Lifei Wei , Mou Leong Tan , Xu Ma , Ziheng Feng , Zhihui Li
Water color remote sensing plays a vital role in monitoring aquatic environments, yet significant challenges remain in model applicability and data integration. This review presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of 577 WCRS-related articles indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection, identifying research hotspots, international collaborations, and model evolution trends. The analysis reveals that China leads in publication count, while the United States holds a dominant position in citation impact and international collaboration, highlighting a gap between research output and influence. Keyword co-occurrence mapping shows that bio-optical modeling, eutrophication monitoring, and high-resolution sensing in optically complex waters are key research frontiers. The main types of models such as empirical, analytical, semi-analytical, and machine learning. Are systematically categorized and assessed based on their application scope, limitations, and optimization strategies through representative case studies. Persistent challenges remain, particularly in data quality, algorithm generalization, and the fusion of multi-source data. To address these issues, five future research directions are proposed, including the development of physics-informed AI models and creation of global data-sharing platforms. This work provides both a knowledge map and practical guidance to advance WCRS theory and applications under increasingly complex water and aquatic conditions.
水色遥感在水生环境监测中发挥着至关重要的作用，但在模型适用性和数据集成方面仍存在重大挑战。本文对Web of Science核心馆藏中收录的577篇wcrs相关文献进行了全面的文献计量分析，确定了研究热点、国际合作和模型演变趋势。分析显示，中国在论文发表数方面领先，而美国在引文影响和国际合作方面占据主导地位，研究产出与影响力之间存在差距。关键词共现图显示，光学复杂水体的生物光学建模、富营养化监测和高分辨率遥感是关键的研究前沿。模型的主要类型有经验、分析、半分析和机器学习。通过有代表性的案例研究，对其应用范围、局限性和优化策略进行了系统的分类和评估。持续的挑战仍然存在，特别是在数据质量、算法泛化和多源数据融合方面。为了解决这些问题，提出了五个未来的研究方向，包括发展物理知情的人工智能模型和创建全球数据共享平台。这项工作为在日益复杂的水和水生条件下推进WCRS理论和应用提供了知识图谱和实践指导。
{"title":"Water color remote sensing models: Inversion mechanisms, optimization, and challenges","authors":"Jiarong Tang , Fei Zhang , Ngai Weng Chan , Verner Carl Johnson , Di Wu , Lifei Wei , Mou Leong Tan , Xu Ma , Ziheng Feng , Zhihui Li","doi":"10.1016/j.seares.2025.102622","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.seares.2025.102622","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Water color remote sensing plays a vital role in monitoring aquatic environments, yet significant challenges remain in model applicability and data integration. This review presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of 577 WCRS-related articles indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection, identifying research hotspots, international collaborations, and model evolution trends. The analysis reveals that China leads in publication count, while the United States holds a dominant position in citation impact and international collaboration, highlighting a gap between research output and influence. Keyword co-occurrence mapping shows that bio-optical modeling, eutrophication monitoring, and high-resolution sensing in optically complex waters are key research frontiers. The main types of models such as empirical, analytical, semi-analytical, and machine learning. Are systematically categorized and assessed based on their application scope, limitations, and optimization strategies through representative case studies. Persistent challenges remain, particularly in data quality, algorithm generalization, and the fusion of multi-source data. To address these issues, five future research directions are proposed, including the development of physics-informed AI models and creation of global data-sharing platforms. This work provides both a knowledge map and practical guidance to advance WCRS theory and applications under increasingly complex water and aquatic conditions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50056,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Sea Research","volume":"207 ","pages":"Article 102622"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-08-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144932698","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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