News Release

Scientists call for more research on how human activities affect the seabed

Peer-Reviewed Publication

University of Southampton

Sediment Cores

image: Sediment cores being incubated under increased temperature and CO2. view more 

Credit: Rachel Hale

A group of UK scientists, co-ordinated by the University of Southampton, has published extensive research into how industry and environmental change are affecting our seafloors, but say more work is needed to help safeguard these complex ecosystems and the benefits they provide to people for the future.

Researchers from eight institutions and organisations have worked together to examine areas of sea or ocean located on the UK continental shelf to understand the sensitivity of these systems to human activities. The societal importance of these ecosystems extends beyond food production to include biodiversity, carbon cycling and storage, waste disposal, nutrient cycling, recreation and renewable energy.

Martin Solan, lead principal investigator and Professor in Marine Ecology at the University of Southampton, comments: "Our seafloors are teaming with life, from microscopic organisms to larger creatures such as fish and crabs. All interact as part of a complex system which plays a vital role in maintaining the health of the seabed and the rest of food web.

"Human intervention, such as fishing, pollution and activities causing climate change are all affecting these finely balanced ecosystems. Collectively, our research provides us with a new perspective on how the seafloor is being modified, for better or for worse - but more research is now needed to understand the longer-term consequences of such change for the wider environment and for society at large."

The research team has analysed the biodiversity, nutrient, metal and carbon cycling in areas of the seafloor around the UK subject to different environmental conditions and human use. University of Southampton scientists focused on four main areas: the effects of climate change1, assessing the impact of bottom fishing2, understanding the importance of iron cycling across the seafloor4, and optimising areas for study3. In relation to climate and fishing, the researchers conducted two experiments. One took sediment communities from different areas in the Irish Sea experiencing low, medium and high levels of trawling activity and compared each sample. Another took different types of sediment (mud, sand, sandy mud etc) from the Celtic Sea and simulated, in a laboratory, how future climatic conditions will affect important seabed processes.

The researchers found that, in a variety of complex ways, communities adjusted to their new environments, with some species thriving and some taking up new roles. However, some species failed to adjust to the new conditions and could not survive. In particular, the scientists found that some species were able to withstand fishing pressure, but struggled with warmer climate conditions and raised CO2 levels.

Dr Phil Williamson, from the University of East Anglia, who helped coordinate this research programme, commented: "Much of what happens in the sea is out of sight and out of mind. This study has provided a wealth of insights into the natural recycling processes that are literally at the base of marine ecosystems, underpinning the many benefits that we obtain from the sea."

The research is part of a special issue of the scientific journal Biogeochemistry and includes contributions from the University of Southampton, the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS), the National Oceanography Centre (NOC), University of Portsmouth, University of Oxford, Bangor University, Plymouth Marine Laboratory and The Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS). The variety of projects which the Biogeochemistry special issue brings together, were conducted on three dedicated research cruises and other expeditions around the UK.

The Shelf Sea Biogeochemistry Special Issue can be found at: https://link.springer.com/journal/10533/135/1/page/1

The research was part of the Shelf Sea Biogeochemistry programme, investigating how natural and human processes interact in the seas around the UK.

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Notes to editors

1) The papers forming the Biogeochemistry special issue are:

1Vulnerability of macronutirents to the concurrent effects of enhanced temperature and atmospheric pCO2 in representative shelf sea sediment habitats
Lead author and institute: Jasmin Godbold, University of Southampton

2Mediation of macronutrients and carbon by post-disturbance shelf sea sediment communities
Lead author: Rachel Hale, University of Southampton

3An approach for the identification of exemplar sites for scaling up targeted field observations of benthic biogeochemistry in heterogeneous environments
Lead author and institute: Charlotte Thompson, University of Southampton

4Stability of dissolved and soluble Fe(II) in shelf sediment pore waters and release to an oxic water column
Lead author and institute: Jessica Klar, University of Southampton

5Community mediation on shelf-sea benthic nitrogen cycling following bottom trawling and organic enrichment.
Lead author and institute: Marija Sciberras, Bangor University

6Benthic pH gradients across a range of shelf sea sediment types linked to sediment characteristics and seasonal variability
Lead author and institute: Briony Silburn, Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS)

7Comparison of the ERSEM model with benthic biogeochemical measurements at two sites in the Celtic Sea and including a representation of advective pore water flow
Lead Author and institute: John Aldridge CEFAS

8Predicting the standing stock of organic carbon in surface sediments of the North-West European continental shelf
Lead author and institute: Markus Diesing, CEFAS

9Seasonal benthic nitrogen cycling in a temperate shelf sea; the Celtic Sea
Lead author and institution: Vas Kitidis, Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML)

10Oxygen dynamics in shelf seas sediments incorporating seasonal variability
Lead author and institute: Natalie Hicks, Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS)

2) For further images or interviews please contact Peter Franklin, Media Relations, University of Southampton. Tel: 023 80 59 5457 Email: p.franklin@southampton.ac.uk

3) For more on partner institutions and organisations:

Bangor University
https://www.bangor.ac.uk/

Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS)
https://www.cefas.co.uk/

Plymouth Marine Laboratory
http://www.pml.ac.uk/

Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS)
http://www.sams.ac.uk/

The National Oceanography Centre Southampton
https://noc.ac.uk/

The University of Portsmouth
http://www.port.ac.uk/

The University of Oxford
http://www.ox.ac.uk/

4) The University of Southampton drives original thinking, turns knowledge into action and impact, and creates solutions to the world's challenges. We are among the top one per cent of institutions globally. Our academics are leaders in their fields, forging links with high-profile international businesses and organisations, and inspiring a 24,000 strong community of exceptional students, from over 135 countries worldwide. Through our high-quality education, the University helps students on a journey of discovery to realise their potential and join our global network of over 200,000 alumni. http://www.southampton.ac.uk/

5) Ocean and Earth Science at the University of Southampton has a well-established reputation for outstanding research and teaching. Our unique waterfront campus at the National Oceanography Centre Southampton (NOCS) attracts prominent researchers and educators from around the world, who join us to work within the areas of geochemistry, geology and geophysics, marine biogeochemistry, marine biology and ecology, palaeoceanography and palaeoclimate and physical oceanography. Following publication of the national Research Excellence Framework 2014 (REF2014), OES was ranked second in the UK, for proportion of research recognised as world-leading (4*) in the Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences Unit of Assessment. http://www.southampton.ac.uk/oes/index.page


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