Review
Oceanography
Marta Tarres, Marc Cerda-Domenech, Rut Pedrosa-Pamies, Aitor Rumin-Caparros, Antoni Calafat, Miquel Canals, Anna Sanchez-Vidal
Summary: This study investigates the temporal variability of particle fluxes to the deep sea in the southwestern Mediterranean Sea and finds that storms are the main trigger for off-shelf particle transport, while maximum particle fluxes in the deep basin respond to seasonal phytoplankton blooms.
PROGRESS IN OCEANOGRAPHY
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Shuang Li, Tiago M. Alves, Wei Li, Xiujuan Wang, Michele Rebesco, Jian Li, Fang Zhao, Kaiqi Yu, Shiguo Wu
Summary: Submarine canyons were investigated in the northwest South China Sea using high-resolution multibeam bathymetric and 2D seismic data, revealing their formation in the Late Miocene due to retrogressive slope failure caused by sediment build-up. The morphology of the canyons is primarily controlled by differences in sediment supply and tectonic events.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Martina Pierdomenico, Anne Bernhardt, Joris T. Eggenhuisen, Michael A. Clare, Claudio Lo Iacono, Daniele Casalbore, Jaime S. Davies, Ian Kane, Veerle A. I. Huvenne, Peter T. Harris
Summary: Marine litter is widespread in the global ocean and is observed even in deep-sea environments, such as submarine canyons. Submarine canyons serve as pathways for the transport and accumulation of litter, with evidence of large litter piles found at great water depths. This article provides an overview of current knowledge on marine litter in submarine canyons, examining sources, transport mechanisms, and deposition. It highlights that canyons are accumulation areas for both land-based and maritime-based litter, particularly fishing-related debris at canyon heads and walls, and general waste and plastic along canyon axes. The study emphasizes the need for further research to fully understand the role of canyons as litter traps and their implications for benthic ecosystems.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Geography, Physical
Jian Li, Wei Li, Tiago M. Alves, Michele Rebesco, Xiujuan Wang, Shuang Li, Jie Sun, Wenhuan Zhan
Summary: This study investigates the morphology of the Shenhu Canyon System in the northern South China Sea and the main factors controlling it using multibeam bathymetric and high-resolution seismic data. The research reveals that the canyons in the southwest have greater incision depths and steeper thalwegs and walls compared to those in the northeast. It also shows that the southwest canyons are directly connected to the Pearl River Canyon, while seafloor fault scarps act as barriers for sediment transport to the heads of the northeast canyons.
Review
Oceanography
Claude Estournel, Guillaume Mikolajczak, Caroline Ulses, Francois Bourrin, Miquel Canals, Sabine Charmasson, David Doxaran, Thomas Duhaut, Xavier Durrieu de Madron, Patrick Marsaleix, Albert Palanques, Pere Puig, Olivier Radakovitch, Anna Sanchez-Vidal, Romaric Verney
Summary: A simulation was conducted to study sediment transport, erosion and deposition in the Gulf of Lion. The simulation compared simulated and observed data to assess reliability. The results showed sediment accumulation near the Rhone River mouth, accretion along the mid-shelf mud belt, and the impact of dense shelf water cascading on sediment resuspension and erosion. The study found an unbalanced sedimentary system with a deficit mainly over the inner shelf due to reduced inputs from the Rhone River.
PROGRESS IN OCEANOGRAPHY
(2023)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Roy Jaijel, Eli Biton, Yishai Weinstein, Tal Ozer, Timor Katz
Summary: Most in-situ studies and observations of turbidity currents have been conducted in large submarine canyons near big rivers, while little research has been done in small submarine canyons farther offshore. This study focuses on Bat-Galim Canyon, a small submarine canyon located offshore Haifa, Israel, which is fed by minor and ephemeral streams. Measurements were collected using mooring stations in the canyon, revealing that the canyon serves as an active conduit for sediment transport via turbidity currents, with similar characteristics to larger canyons. The study also found temperature inversions during these events, which have implications for water column processes.
EARTH AND PLANETARY SCIENCE LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Paleontology
Fabiana K. de Almeida, Renata M. de Mello, Alex C. Bastos
Summary: This study investigated the composition of benthic foraminifera assemblages in two submarine canyons and examined their relationship with trophic, hydrological, and sedimentological conditions. The results showed that the density, taxonomic diversity, and composition of benthic foraminifera varied with depth and location. The distribution of benthic foraminiferal assemblages was mainly controlled by food supply, hydrodynamic conditions, and sediment properties. CANNW exhibited less stable trophic conditions compared to CAND.
MARINE MICROPALEONTOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Carla A. Chicote, Natalia Amigo, Manel Gazo
Summary: This paper summarizes the occurrence and distribution of Risso's dolphin in the northwestern Mediterranean over a period of 12 years. The study focused on an area off the central coast of Catalonia, Spain, which features submarine canyons and is suitable for various cetacean species. The findings showed differences in dolphin densities between the northern and southern canyons, and a shift in their distribution to more pelagic areas over time. The study also identified the slope and slope variation as important factors influencing the spatial distribution of Risso's dolphin in the area. Overall, this paper provides valuable insights into the habitat preferences and distribution patterns of Risso's dolphin in the central western Mediterranean Sea.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Francesco de Mendoza, Katrin Schroeder, Leonardo Langone, Jacopo Chiggiato, Mireno Borghini, Patrizia Giordano, Giulio Verazzo, Stefano Miserocchi
Summary: This work presents an 8-year dataset of monitoring activities conducted on the western margin of the southern Adriatic Sea. The dataset includes measurements of hydrodynamics and thermohaline properties of the water column. The data serve as the starting point for continuous observation of deep-water dynamics and are publicly available and compliant with FAIR principles.
EARTH SYSTEM SCIENCE DATA
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Giovanni De Falco, Simone Simeone, Alessandro Conforti, Walter Brambilla, Emanuela Molinaroli
Summary: This study assessed the compatibility of sediments between beaches and strategic sediment deposits (SSD) in Western Sardinia. The results showed the differences in grain size, composition, and color among the beaches and SSDs, suggesting different sediment sources and depositional processes. The findings provide insights for the management strategy in countering beach erosion and the impact of sea level rise.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ellie S. Jones, Steve W. Ross, Craig M. Robertson, Craig M. Young
Summary: Anthropogenic debris has been found in all studied marine environments, even in the deepest parts of the sea. This study examined sediment cores and ROV video to analyze the density and distribution of debris, including micro-and macroplastics, in Norfolk and Baltimore canyons. The findings show that canyons serve as important repositories and conduits for debris to the deep sea, impacting benthic invertebrate communities.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Chenglin Gong, Ronald J. Steel, Kun Qi, Yingmin Wang
Summary: Deep-water channels exhibit different morphologies and stratigraphies due to density contrast between flow and ambient fluid, with turbidite channels favoring lateral migration and contourite channels favoring thalweg deposition. Channels formed during greenhouse climates show low morphological variations, while icehouse channels exhibit high variations, suggesting weak global correlation of channel-population densities with warming greenhouse climates.
GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA BULLETIN
(2021)
Article
Geology
Nan Wu, Harya D. Nugraha, Guangfa Zhong, Michael J. Steventon
Summary: This study concludes that the retrogressive failure mechanism of mass-transport complexes has a direct influence on the initiation, distribution and evolution of the canyons.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
L. Verweirder, D. Van Rooij, M. White, K. Van Landeghem, K. Bossee, A. Georgiopoulou
Summary: The Gollum Channel System (GCS) and Kings Channel System (KCS) are located in a key area in the Porcupine Seabight, providing valuable insights into British-Irish Ice Sheet dynamics and sediment supply to the Belgica cold-water coral mound province. By using bathymetric, seismic reflection, and oceanographic data, this study reconstructs and compares the interaction of sedimentary processes within these channel systems, showing their significance as a source of sediment and nutrients for the cold-water coral mounds to the north. The study highlights the importance of understanding the evolution of these channel systems in the Neogene and Quaternary periods.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sarah Paradis, Claudio Lo Iacono, Pere Masque, Pere Puig, Albert Palanques, Tommaso Russo
Summary: Studies show that bottom trawling in submarine canyons can lead to increased sedimentation rates and silt contents, primarily due to the expansion of more powerful trawlers to deeper fishing grounds.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Marta Arjona-Camas, Pere Puig, Fabio C. De Leo, Grant Garner, Sarah Paradis, Ruth Duran, Albert Palanques
Summary: Continental margins are important transitional areas for the transport and deposition of particulate matter from the land to the deep ocean. Hydrodynamic processes and fishing activities contribute to resuspension and remobilization of particles, leading to the formation of nepheloid layers. A study off Vancouver Island revealed a well-defined turbidity structure with surface, intermediate, and bottom nepheloid layers. Fishing activities were found to play a role in the advection of suspended sediment particles along the continental slope.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Guillem Corbera, Claudio Lo Iacono, Christopher D. Standish, Eulalia Gracia, Cesar Ranero, Veerle A. Huvenne, Eleni Anagnostou, Gavin L. Foster
Summary: Cold-water corals in the Mediterranean Sea are sensitive to climate change and can record them in their skeletons. This study focuses on the newly discovered Tunisian Coral Mound Province in the Central Mediterranean and reveals that the last glacial period had a significant impact on coral mound formation, contrary to findings in other regions of the Mediterranean Sea. The study also suggests that deeper cold-water coral mounds develop at slower rates compared to those in shallower settings.
Article
Oceanography
Albert Palanques, Jorge Guillen, Pere Puig, Ruth Duran
Summary: The effects of massive dumping of dredged material during and after the Barcelona port expansion were investigated. The dumping resulted in frequent high suspended sediment concentration peaks, increased water velocities, and shock waves. The dumped sediment formed a thin laminated deposit extending beyond the dumpsite. Unconsolidated sediment left after dumping was resuspended, leading to elevated suspended sediment concentrations in the environment for several days.
OCEAN & COASTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Albert Palanques, Sarah Paradis, Pere Puig, Pere Masque, Claudio Lo Iacono
Summary: Submarine canyons are important pathways for the transport of particulate matter and contaminants from the shelf to the deep sea. This study analyzed sediment cores from the Gulf of Palermo continental margin to investigate the historical record of trace metal contamination. The results showed that trace metal contamination increased until the 1970s and 1980s, associated with urbanization and industrial activities. However, the expansion of bottom trawling fleets in the region since the 1970s and 1980s has led to resuspended sediment and increased sediment accumulation rates, diluting and reducing the trace metal contamination levels.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sally J. Watson, Marta Ribo, Sarah Seabrook, Lorna J. Strachan, Rachel Hale, Geoffroy Lamarche
Summary: This study provides the first characterization of the footprint and extent of anchoring in a low congestion port in New Zealand-Aotearoa, revealing that high-tonnage ship anchors can excavate the seabed by up to 80 cm with long-lasting impacts. The calculated volume of displaced sediment by one high-tonnage ship on anchor can reach 2800 m(3), offering the first global estimate of the footprint of anchoring to the coastal seabed. The damage to the seafloor caused by anchoring has significant implications for marine ecosystems and carbon cycling, emphasizing the need to consider these poorly understood impacts to avoid irreversible damage to marine habitats as seaborne trade continues to increase.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Correction
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Marta Arjona-Camas, Pere Puig, Albert Palanques, Ruth Duran, Martin White, Sarah Paradis, Mikhail Emelianov
MARINE GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Oceanography
Claude Estournel, Guillaume Mikolajczak, Caroline Ulses, Francois Bourrin, Miquel Canals, Sabine Charmasson, David Doxaran, Thomas Duhaut, Xavier Durrieu de Madron, Patrick Marsaleix, Albert Palanques, Pere Puig, Olivier Radakovitch, Anna Sanchez-Vidal, Romaric Verney
Summary: A simulation was conducted to study sediment transport, erosion and deposition in the Gulf of Lion. The simulation compared simulated and observed data to assess reliability. The results showed sediment accumulation near the Rhone River mouth, accretion along the mid-shelf mud belt, and the impact of dense shelf water cascading on sediment resuspension and erosion. The study found an unbalanced sedimentary system with a deficit mainly over the inner shelf due to reduced inputs from the Rhone River.
PROGRESS IN OCEANOGRAPHY
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Marta Ribo, Sally J. Watson, Helen Macdonald, Lorna J. Strachan
Summary: This study investigates the evolution of gravel dunes under multi-directional current conditions in the western Cook Strait/Te Moana-o-Raukawakawa region, New Zealand, using repeat bathymetry data. The results reveal morphological changes to the dune geometry and crestlines, correlated with eddy formation and high near-bottom currents. The findings suggest that the observed changes are a result of continuous remobilization by currents rather than extreme events. Regular repeat mapping surveys are necessary to keep up-to-date seabed morphology information.
FRONTIERS IN EARTH SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Elise Vissenaekens, Katell Guizien, Xavier Durrieu de Madron, Ivane Pairaud, Yann Leredde, Pere Puig, Francois Bourrin
Summary: This study aims to assess the accuracy of a coastal circulation model in predicting flow speed by comparing it with field observations. The results show that the model performs better in predicting flow speed at shallow stations compared to deep stations. However, there is a low correlation between simulated and observed flow speed at all stations.
JOURNAL OF MARINE SYSTEMS
(2023)
Article
Geography, Physical
Ian D. Goodwin, Thomas R. Mortlock, Marta Ribo, Jerry X. Mitrovica, Mick O'Leary, Rory Williams
Summary: This study presents a unique index-record of Last Interglacial (Marine Isotope Stage 5e MIS5e) relative sea level (RSL) and wave climate history in South-east Australia. The findings provide insights into the coastal evidence of MIS5e in Bass Strait. The analysis is based on modern analogues, hydrodynamic modelling, LiDAR DEM, morpho-sedimentary studies, GPR surveys, and OSL dating.
QUATERNARY SCIENCE REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Meri Bilan, Andrea Gori, Jordi Grinyo, Marina Biel-Cabanelas, Xenia Puigcerver-Segarra, Andreu Santin, Stefano Piraino, Sergio Rossi, Pere Puig
Summary: Bottom trawling has both direct and indirect impacts on cold-water coral communities, and the indirect impact can contribute to the simplification of community structure.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2023)
Article
Fisheries
Estefania Rodriguez, Sophia Collins, Jordi Grinyo, Pere Puig
Summary: This study describes a new species of sea anemone found in the cold-water coral environments of Blanes Canyon in the northwestern Mediterranean Sea. The new species, Litophellia enoplosa sp. nov., has distinct characteristics that differentiate it from other species, such as the cuticle on the column and size ranges of the cnidae.
MEDITERRANEAN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ruth Duran, Pere Puig, Sarah Paradis, Jorge Guillen, Albert Palanques, Claudio Lo Iacono, Marta Arjona-Camas, Araceli Munoz, Aaron Micallef
Summary: Bottom trawling can cause measurable changes in seafloor morphology and surface sediment composition, resulting in large-scale erosive features and increased sand content. The impact of this fishing method on the seabed can be observed through high-resolution multibeam data and side scan sonar, and the recovery period after trawling activities can be long.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
