scholarly journals Towards Naples Ecological REsearch for Augmented Observatories (NEREA): The NEREA-Fix Module, a Stand-Alone Platform for Long-Term Deep-Sea Ecosystem Monitoring

Sensors ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (10) ◽  
pp. 2911
Author(s):  
Emanuela Fanelli ◽  
Jacopo Aguzzi ◽  
Simone Marini ◽  
Joaquin del Rio ◽  
Marc Nogueras ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Deep Sea ◽  
Human Impacts ◽  
Environmental Dna ◽  
Ecological Monitoring ◽  
Mooring Line ◽  
Tyrrhenian Sea ◽  
Ecological Research ◽  
Ecosystem Monitoring ◽  
Wide Range

Deep-sea ecological monitoring is increasingly recognized as indispensable for the comprehension of the largest biome on Earth, but at the same time it is subjected to growing human impacts for the exploitation of biotic and abiotic resources. Here, we present the Naples Ecological REsearch (NEREA) stand-alone observatory concept (NEREA-fix), an integrated observatory with a modular, adaptive structure, characterized by a multiparametric video-platform to be deployed in the Dohrn canyon (Gulf of Naples, Tyrrhenian Sea) at ca. 650 m depth. The observatory integrates a seabed platform with optoacoustic and oceanographic/geochemical sensors connected to a surface transmission buoy, plus a mooring line (also equipped with depth-staged environmental sensors). This reinforced high-frequency and long-lasting ecological monitoring will integrate the historical data conducted over 40 years for the Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) at the station “Mare Chiara”, and ongoing vessel-assisted plankton (and future environmental DNA-eDNA) sampling. NEREA aims at expanding the observational capacity in a key area of the Mediterranean Sea, representing a first step towards the establishment of a bentho-pelagic network to enforce an end-to-end transdisciplinary approach for the monitoring of marine ecosystems across a wide range of animal sizes (from bacteria to megafauna).

scholarly journals Managing human impacts across diverse marine environments

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura M Robson ◽  
Anita J Carter ◽  
Ellen Last ◽  
Frances J Peckett ◽  
Elly Hill
Keyword(s):  
Deep Sea ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Time Series Data ◽  
Human Impacts ◽  
Series Data ◽  
Marine Biodiversity ◽  
Management Measures ◽  
Joint Nature Conservation Committee ◽  
The Uk

As an island nation, the UK is surrounded by water, spanning from the coast and intertidal, to the circalittoral and deep-sea. Understanding the changing condition and resilience of marine biodiversity within these vastly different water masses is of key importance to understanding both the impacts of, and how to best manage, human activities whilst enabling continued sustainable development. One of the biggest challenges to understanding biodiversity state is the lack of time-series data, particularly in areas where long-term monitoring has not yet been implemented around our offshore (>12nm) and deep-sea waters. To manage this, the UK’s Joint Nature Conservation Committee are further developing spatial mapping proxy methods, gathering data on human activity presence, pressures caused by these activities, and the associated sensitivity of biodiversity to these pressures, to understand key areas of risk. Whilst evidence for these assessments is becoming more widely available for offshore waters, there is a large evidence gap on deep-sea biodiversity sensitivity, and understanding how to manage this little-studied environment. With ongoing pressures from fishing and oil and gas activity, and future threats from deep-sea mining, this is a key area of research which is urgently needed to help develop effective and sustainable management measures.

scholarly journals Framing Cutting-Edge Integrative Deep-Sea Biodiversity Monitoring via Environmental DNA and Optoacoustic Augmented Infrastructures

2022 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergio Stefanni ◽  
Luca Mirimin ◽  
David Stanković ◽  
Damianos Chatzievangelou ◽  
Lucia Bongiorni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Deep Sea ◽  
Environmental Dna ◽  
Ecological Monitoring ◽  
Environmental Data ◽  
Marine Biodiversity ◽  
Biodiversity Monitoring ◽  
Imaging Data ◽  
Optoacoustic Imaging ◽  
Future Direction ◽  
Critical Overview

Deep-sea ecosystems are reservoirs of biodiversity that are largely unexplored, but their exploration and biodiscovery are becoming a reality thanks to biotechnological advances (e.g., omics technologies) and their integration in an expanding network of marine infrastructures for the exploration of the seas, such as cabled observatories. While still in its infancy, the application of environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding approaches is revolutionizing marine biodiversity monitoring capability. Indeed, the analysis of eDNA in conjunction with the collection of multidisciplinary optoacoustic and environmental data, can provide a more comprehensive monitoring of deep-sea biodiversity. Here, we describe the potential for acquiring eDNA as a core component for the expanding ecological monitoring capabilities through cabled observatories and their docked Internet Operated Vehicles (IOVs), such as crawlers. Furthermore, we provide a critical overview of four areas of development: (i) Integrating eDNA with optoacoustic imaging; (ii) Development of eDNA repositories and cross-linking with other biodiversity databases; (iii) Artificial Intelligence for eDNA analyses and integration with imaging data; and (iv) Benefits of eDNA augmented observatories for the conservation and sustainable management of deep-sea biodiversity. Finally, we discuss the technical limitations and recommendations for future eDNA monitoring of the deep-sea. It is hoped that this review will frame the future direction of an exciting journey of biodiscovery in remote and yet vulnerable areas of our planet, with the overall aim to understand deep-sea biodiversity and hence manage and protect vital marine resources.

Large-sample hydrology to foster open and collaborative research: a review of recent progress and grand challenges

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gemma Coxon ◽  
Nans Addor ◽  
Camila Alvarez-Garreton ◽  
Hong X. Do ◽  
Keirnan Fowler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Impacts ◽  
Individual Case ◽  
Large Sample ◽  
Large Sets ◽  
Uncertainty Estimates ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Diverse Data

<p>Large-sample hydrology (LSH) relies on data from large sets (tens to thousands) of catchments to go beyond individual case studies and derive robust conclusions on hydrological processes and models and provide the foundation for improved understanding of the link between catchment characteristics, climate and hydrological responses. Numerous LSH datasets have recently been released, covering a wide range of regions and relying on increasingly diverse data sources to characterize catchment behaviour. These datasets offer novel opportunities for open hydrology, yet they are also limited by their lack of comparability, accessibility, uncertainty estimates and characterization of human impacts.</p><p>Here, we underscore the key role of LSH datasets in open hydrologic science and highlight their potential to enhance the transparency and reproducibility of hydrological studies.  We provide a review of current LSH datasets and identify their limitations, including the current difficulties of inter-dataset comparison and limited accessibility of hydrological observations. To overcome these limitations, we propose simple guidelines alongside long-term coordinated actions for the community, which aim to standardize and automatize the creation of LSH datasets worldwide. This presentation will highlight how, by producing and using common LSH datasets, the community can increase the comparability and reproducibility of hydrological research.</p><p>This research was performed as part of the Panta Rhei Working Group on large-sample hydrology and is based on https://doi.org/10.1080/02626667.2019.1683182.</p>

Johnson and Vallentyne’s legacy: 40 years of aquatic research at the Experimental Lakes Area

2009 ◽  
Vol 66 (11) ◽  
pp. 1831-1836 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul J. Blanchfield ◽  
Michael J. Paterson ◽  
John A. Shearer ◽  
David W. Schindler
Keyword(s):  
Human Impacts ◽  
Anthropogenic Impacts ◽  
Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals ◽  
Ecological Monitoring ◽  
Experimental Lakes Area ◽  
Ecosystem Responses ◽  
Field Station ◽  
Ecosystem Effects ◽  
Freshwater Aquaculture

Wally Johnson and Jack Vallentyne played key roles in the establishment of the Experimental Lakes Area (ELA), which comprises a research team, a set of protected lakes, and a field station, with the mandate to quantify anthropogenic impacts to lakes through whole-ecosystem manipulation and monitoring. We begin this collection of papers, celebrating four decades of aquatic research at the ELA, by reflecting on the historical relevance and scientific milestones of the ELA. The remaining papers encompass themes at the core of ELA research: long-term ecological monitoring of unimpacted reference lakes, ecosystem responses to anthropogenic stressors through whole-system experimentation, recovery of manipulated ecosystems from perturbation, and detailed mechanistic studies. Utilizing these approaches, papers in this issue examine a wide variety of anthropogenic impacts on freshwater including the ecosystem effects of climate change, recovery from lake acidification, upland and wetland flooding on methyl mercury levels in biota, endocrine-disrupting chemicals on fish populations, and freshwater aquaculture. These studies emphasize the value of long-term monitoring and experimentation at the ecosystem scale for understanding human impacts on freshwaters.

scholarly journals Conceptual Model of the Long-Term Socio-Ecological Research Platform of Engure Ecoregion, Latvia

2014 ◽  
Vol 68 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 1-19
Author(s):  
Viesturs Melecis ◽  
Māris Kļaviņš ◽  
Māris Laiviņš ◽  
Solvita Rūsiņa ◽  
Gunta Spriņģe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Model ◽  
Drainage Basin ◽  
Ecological Monitoring ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Ecosystem Structure ◽  
Ecological Research ◽  
Management Measures ◽  
Research Platform ◽  
Gulf Of Riga

Abstract The article discusses the results of the national project aimed at elaboration of a conceptual integrated model of the Engure LT(S)ER (Long-Term Socio-Ecological Research) platform of Latvia. The platform represents the drainage basin of costal Lake Engure (644 km2) together with the coastal marine zone of the Gulf of Rîga. The core zone of the ecoregion is the Lake Engure Nature Park (LENP), which is a Ramsar site. The conceptual model is a slightly modified version based on the DPSIR (Drivers-Pressures-States-Impacts-Responses) concept. The socioecological system was spatially demarcated and drivers were subdivided in two groups - external and local ones. The Engure ecoregion was subdivided into seven zones or sub-regions mostly demarcated by natural geological and geographical barriers. Each zone has a specific set of drivers and pressures as well as a specific ecosystem structure and elements of biodiversity. Analysis of the governing drivers and pressures was performed separately for each sub-region during three time periods: 19th century - beginning of 20th century, period of Soviet occupation (1940-1991), and period after restoration of independence of Latvia (1991 - up to now). Characteristics of the state of ecosystems and biodiversity are given. Responses of the socioeconomic component of the socio-ecological system are represented mainly by external factors to the ecoregion, including environmental legislation and funding necessary for research and ecological management. Two alternative scenarios of the development of the Engure ecoregion are discussed: (i) depopulation and land abandonment, and (ii) intensification of agriculture, small-scale industry and building construction. In both cases the present state of ecosystems and the structure of species diversity would be subjected to significant change. Sustainable development of the ecoregion can be provided only by implementation of certain environmental management measures accompanied by long-term socio-ecological research and ecological monitoring.

scholarly journals Managing human impacts across diverse marine environments

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura M Robson ◽  
Anita J Carter ◽  
Ellen Last ◽  
Frances J Peckett ◽  
Elly Hill
Keyword(s):  
Deep Sea ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Time Series Data ◽  
Human Impacts ◽  
Series Data ◽  
Marine Biodiversity ◽  
Management Measures ◽  
Joint Nature Conservation Committee ◽  
The Uk

As an island nation, the UK is surrounded by water, spanning from the coast and intertidal, to the circalittoral and deep-sea. Understanding the changing condition and resilience of marine biodiversity within these vastly different water masses is of key importance to understanding both the impacts of, and how to best manage, human activities whilst enabling continued sustainable development. One of the biggest challenges to understanding biodiversity state is the lack of time-series data, particularly in areas where long-term monitoring has not yet been implemented around our offshore (>12nm) and deep-sea waters. To manage this, the UK’s Joint Nature Conservation Committee are further developing spatial mapping proxy methods, gathering data on human activity presence, pressures caused by these activities, and the associated sensitivity of biodiversity to these pressures, to understand key areas of risk. Whilst evidence for these assessments is becoming more widely available for offshore waters, there is a large evidence gap on deep-sea biodiversity sensitivity, and understanding how to manage this little-studied environment. With ongoing pressures from fishing and oil and gas activity, and future threats from deep-sea mining, this is a key area of research which is urgently needed to help develop effective and sustainable management measures.

Climate Variability and Ecosystem Response in Long-Term Ecological Research Sites

2003 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Research Community ◽  
Research Network ◽  
Ecological Research ◽  
Ecosystem Response ◽  
Climate Change Research ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Long Term Ecological Research

This volume in the Long-Term Ecological Research Network Series would present the work that has been done and the understanding and database that have been developed by work on climate change done at all the LTER sites. Global climate change is a central issue facing the world, which is being worked on by a very large number of scientists across a wide range of fields. The LTER sites hold some of the best available data measuring long term impacts and changes in the environment, and the research done at these sites has not previously been made widely available to the broader climate change research community. This book should appeal reasonably widely outside the ecological community, and because it pulls together information from all 20 research sites, it should capture the interest of virtually the entire LTER research community.

scholarly journals Long-term stability of marine dissolved organic carbon emerges from a neutral network of compounds and microbes

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Mentges ◽  
C. Feenders ◽  
C. Deutsch ◽  
B. Blasius ◽  
T. Dittmar
Keyword(s):  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Dissolved Organic Carbon ◽  
Deep Sea ◽  
Mechanistic Model ◽  
Term Stability ◽  
Long Term Stability ◽  
Heterotrophic Microorganisms ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Mean

AbstractDissolved organic carbon (DOC) is the main energy source for marine heterotrophic microorganisms, but a small fraction of DOC resists microbial degradation and accumulates in the ocean. The reason behind this recalcitrance is unknown. We test whether the long-term stability of DOC requires the existence of structurally refractory molecules, using a mechanistic model comprising a diverse network of microbe-substrate interactions. Model experiments reproduce three salient observations, even when all DOC compounds are equally degradable: (i) >15% of an initial DOC pulse resists degradation, but is consumed by microbes if concentrated, (ii) the modelled deep-sea DOC reaches stable concentrations of 30–40 mmolC/m3, and (iii) the mean age of deep-sea DOC is several times the age of deep water with a wide range from <100 to >10,000 years. We conclude that while structurally-recalcitrant molecules exist, they are not required in the model to explain either the amount or longevity of DOC.

scholarly journals Prolonged recovery time after eruptive disturbance of a deep-sea hydrothermal vent community

2020 ◽  
Vol 287 (1941) ◽  
pp. 20202070
Author(s):  
L. S. Mullineaux ◽  
S. W. Mills ◽  
N. Le Bris ◽  
S. E. Beaulieu ◽  
S. M. Sievert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Deep Sea ◽  
Hydrothermal Vents ◽  
Human Impacts ◽  
Environmental Gradients ◽  
Natural Disturbance ◽  
Regional Species Pool ◽  
Distributed Sampling ◽  
Baseline State

Deep-sea hydrothermal vents are associated with seafloor tectonic and magmatic activity, and the communities living there are subject to disturbance. Eruptions can be frequent and catastrophic, raising questions about how these communities persist and maintain regional biodiversity. Prior studies of frequently disturbed vents have led to suggestions that faunal recovery can occur within 2–4 years. We use an unprecedented long-term (11-year) series of colonization data following a catastrophic 2006 seafloor eruption on the East Pacific Rise to show that faunal successional changes continue beyond a decade following the disturbance. Species composition at nine months post-eruption was conspicuously different than the pre-eruption ‘baseline' state, which had been characterized in 1998 (85 months after disturbance by the previous 1991 eruption). By 96 months post-eruption, species composition was approaching the pre-eruption state, but continued to change up through to the end of our measurements at 135 months, indicating that the ‘baseline' state was not a climax community. The strong variation observed in species composition across environmental gradients and successional stages highlights the importance of long-term, distributed sampling in order to understand the consequences of disturbance for maintenance of a diverse regional species pool. This perspective is critical for characterizing the resilience of vent species to both natural disturbance and human impacts such as deep-sea mining.

ASTRA: An Automatic Spading Tool for the Remote Application at Abyssal Depths

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gu¨nther F. Clauss ◽  
Hans W. Gerber ◽  
Carsten Hippe
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Deep Sea ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Integrated Design ◽  
Experimental Investigations ◽  
Ocean Bottom ◽  
Tyrrhenian Sea ◽  
Ocean Bottom Seismometer ◽  
Marine Research

The future approach of the European marine research programme focuses on the establishment of multi-disciplinary networks including existing systems, and the development of new technologies for efficient installation and near real time communication. Within this framework the European Community funds the networks ORION (Ocean Research by Integrated Observation Networks - GEOSTAR 3) and ESONET 2 (European Seafloor Observatory NETwork) with several European partner institutions involved in marine research. Key technologies for deep-sea research have been developed in the frame of the GEOSTAR project (GEophysical and Oceanographic STation for Abyssal Research - Deep-Sea Mission). The concept comprises: • the deep-sea benthic observatory for geophysical and oceanographic purposes with its unique Data Acquisition and Control System (DACS), • the innovative underwater communication system as near real time interface, and • the deployment and recovery vehicle MODUS (MObile Docker for Underwater Sciences) for precise operations with heavy payloads. The know-how and existing equipment establishes a good basis for extensions and further developments to be used for network projects. ASTRA — an Automated Spading Tool for Remote Applications at abyssal depths — is one of these new concepts. This tool — integrated into the GEOSTAR-Bottom Station (BS) (also called node) and deployed by MODUS — will bury an Ocean Bottom Seismometer (OBS) into the sub-sea soil. The OBS will be laterally displaced to the node and connected by an umbilical. At the end of a long-term mission the node will be recovered by MODUS and the OBS is pulled out of the ground hanging underneath the node. Both components, node and OBS, will be recovered by the surface research vessel. Equipment and procedures developed within the GEOSTAR project have been focused on providing a long-term stationing on the ocean floor to perform scientific measurements. The ASTRA concept takes a next step and aims for the interaction with its environment. Based on the proven and reliable combination of the deep sea shuttle MODUS for heavy load transportation and the payload Bottom Station as the carrier of equipment the new module ASTRA will extend the spectrum of scientific operating possibilities in the deep sea adding engineering services. An iterative process with an integrated design application of a 3D-CAD-system, FEM structural analysis and Multibody Simulation (MBS) characterizes the development phase of ASTRA. Using virtual mock-up critical aspects of handling and operation can be identified, and in consequence more easily avoided. Simulation results are validated by experimental investigations. Operations with the ASTRA prototype and the complete network-system will be performed in the Tyrrhenian Sea in late summer 2003.

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