Biogeochemistry, macronutrient and carbon cycling in the benthic layer
Lead Research Organisation:
Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science
Department Name: CEFAS Lowestoft Laboratory
Abstract
The coasts and shelf seas that surround us have been the focal point of human prosperity and well-being throughout our history and, consequently, have had a disproportionate effect on our culture. The societal importance of the shelf seas extends beyond food production to include biodiversity, carbon cycling and storage, waste disposal, nutrient cycling, recreation and renewable energy. Yet, as increasing proportions of the global population move closer to the coast, our seas have become progressively eroded by human activities, including overfishing, pollution, habitat disturbance and climate change. This is worrying because the condition of the seabed, biodiversity and human society are inextricably linked. Hence, there is an urgent need to understand the relative sensitivities of a range of shelf habitats so that human pressures can be managed more effectively to ensure the long-term sustainability of our seas and provision of societal benefits. Achieving these aims is not straightforward, as the capacity of the seabed to provide the goods and services we rely upon depends on the type of substrate (rock, gravel, sand, mud) and local conditions; some habitats are naturally dynamic and relatively insensitive to disturbance, while others are comparatively stable and vulnerable to change. This makes it very difficult to assess habitat sensitivities or make general statements about what benefits we can expect from our seas in the future.
Recently, NERC and DEFRA have initiated a major new research programme on Shelf Sea Biogeochemistry that will improve knowledge about these issues. In response to this call, we have assembled a consortium of leading scientists that includes microbiologists, ecologists, physical oceanographers, biogeochemists, mathematical modellers and policy advisors. With assistance from organisations like CEFAS, Marine Scotland and AFBI, they will carry out a series of research cruises around the UK that will map the sensitivity and status of seabed habitats based on their physical condition, the microbial and faunal communities that inhabit them, and the size and dynamics of the nitrogen and carbon pools found there. The latest marine technologies will measure the amount of mixing and flow rates just above the seabed, as well as detailed seabed topography. These measurements will allow better understanding of the physical processes responsible for movement and mixing of sediment, nutrient, and carbon. At the same time, cores will be retrieved containing the microbial and faunal communities and their activity and behaviour will be linked to specific biogeochemical responses. Highly specialised autonomous vehicles, called landers, will also measure nutrient concentrations and fluxes at the seabed. Components of the system can then be experimentally manipulated to mimic scenarios of change, such as changing hydrodynamics, disturbance or components of climate change. This will be achieved in the field by generating different flow regimes using a submerged flume or, in the laboratory, using intact sediment communities exposed to different levels of CO2, temperature and oxygen. By measuring the biogeochemical response and behaviour of the microbial and faunal communities to these changes, we will generate an understanding of what may happen if such changes did occur across our shelf seas.
We will use all of this information to assess the relative vulnerability of areas of the UK seabed by overlaying the observation and experimental results over maps of various human pressures, which will be of value to planners and policymakers. Mathematical models will test future scenarios of change, such as opening or closing vulnerable areas to fishing or anticipated changes in the factors that control nutrient and carbon stocks. This will be valuable in exploring different responses to external pressures and for deciding which management measures should be put in place to preserve our shelf seas for future generations.
Recently, NERC and DEFRA have initiated a major new research programme on Shelf Sea Biogeochemistry that will improve knowledge about these issues. In response to this call, we have assembled a consortium of leading scientists that includes microbiologists, ecologists, physical oceanographers, biogeochemists, mathematical modellers and policy advisors. With assistance from organisations like CEFAS, Marine Scotland and AFBI, they will carry out a series of research cruises around the UK that will map the sensitivity and status of seabed habitats based on their physical condition, the microbial and faunal communities that inhabit them, and the size and dynamics of the nitrogen and carbon pools found there. The latest marine technologies will measure the amount of mixing and flow rates just above the seabed, as well as detailed seabed topography. These measurements will allow better understanding of the physical processes responsible for movement and mixing of sediment, nutrient, and carbon. At the same time, cores will be retrieved containing the microbial and faunal communities and their activity and behaviour will be linked to specific biogeochemical responses. Highly specialised autonomous vehicles, called landers, will also measure nutrient concentrations and fluxes at the seabed. Components of the system can then be experimentally manipulated to mimic scenarios of change, such as changing hydrodynamics, disturbance or components of climate change. This will be achieved in the field by generating different flow regimes using a submerged flume or, in the laboratory, using intact sediment communities exposed to different levels of CO2, temperature and oxygen. By measuring the biogeochemical response and behaviour of the microbial and faunal communities to these changes, we will generate an understanding of what may happen if such changes did occur across our shelf seas.
We will use all of this information to assess the relative vulnerability of areas of the UK seabed by overlaying the observation and experimental results over maps of various human pressures, which will be of value to planners and policymakers. Mathematical models will test future scenarios of change, such as opening or closing vulnerable areas to fishing or anticipated changes in the factors that control nutrient and carbon stocks. This will be valuable in exploring different responses to external pressures and for deciding which management measures should be put in place to preserve our shelf seas for future generations.
Planned Impact
Commercial private sector and the knowledge economy: new and innovative methodologies, equipment and techniques, and combined state-of-the-art technologies (>£2.3 million in-kind, see JeS) will assess what the primary physical and biogeochemical controls of shelf productivity are up to shelf sea scales. Since many interests rely on the marine environment, beneficiaries will be varied. By sharing expertise and knowledge, a world-leading manufacturer of microsensors and microscale instrumentation and an internationally recognized marine environmental data acquisition company will benefit from exploitable opportunities, e.g. new visualisation tools that enable holistic understanding of large-scale ecosystem processes.
Policy professionals, governmental and devolved governmental organisations: The importance of shelf seas to society extends beyond fisheries to wider issues, such as biodiversity, carbon cycling and storage, waste disposal, nutrient cycling, and renewable energy resources. Consortium expertise will contribute to these UK priority challenges. The UK Marine & Coastal Access Act (MCAA), UK Climate Change Act, EU Habitats Directive and EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) support sustainable use of the marine environment. They also support the UK vision for achieving 'clean, healthy, safe productive and biologically diverse ocean and seas' (UK Marine Science Strategy). We will provide a coherent framework for sound evidence based-science in support of these policy instruments and statutory requirements. For example, the MSFD aims to achieve Good Environmental Status in EU marine waters by 2020, but we lack understanding of the magnitude and synchronicity of change in SSEs. Our research will directly inform Descriptor 1 (biological diversity) and 6 (seabed integrity) for a wide range of sediment habitats over time, which is important because the determination of good environmental status may have to be adapted over time (addressed in Task 2) "in view of the dynamic nature of marine ecosystems and their natural variability, and given that the pressures and impacts on them may vary with the evolvement of different patterns of human activity and the impact of climate change" (MSFD). Our work will also inform environmental monitoring programmes: OSPARs Joint Assessment and Monitoring programme, the Eutrophication Monitoring Programme and The Clean Seas Environment Monitoring Programme (CSEMP, led by consortium member CEFAS). Task 1-3 complement the outcomes of CESEMP and provide scientific evidence to OSPAR. Similarly, experimental scenarios and modelling approaches will provide needed information for (i) the EU Water Framework Directive (the requirement for 'good chemical and ecological status' by 2015 does not account for climate change) and, (ii) the UK White Paper for MCAA (it is unclear how commitments to "look ahead at the predicted impacts of climate change on the marine environment, how marine activities will contribute towards it, and how they are affected by it" will be achieved). Finally, other EU instruments, such as the Habitats Directive (introduced in 1992), the EU Common Fisheries Policy (revised in 2002) and national legislation such as the UK MCAA and Scottish Marine Act, assume that removal (or control) of direct pressures will result in ecosystem recovery and/or species persistence. Our programme includes experimental scenarios and modelling approaches to provide further information on the vulnerability of SSEs in environmental futures under multiple pressures (Task 3). Our outputs will also help NERC meet its science theme challenges.
Public, wider community: active engagement with a variety of organisations is detailed in Pathways to Impact (PtI).
Skills & training: In addition to academic progression, early career researchers will gain experience and receive mentoring in running a large interdisciplinary programme, as well as training in communication skills and scientific methodology
Policy professionals, governmental and devolved governmental organisations: The importance of shelf seas to society extends beyond fisheries to wider issues, such as biodiversity, carbon cycling and storage, waste disposal, nutrient cycling, and renewable energy resources. Consortium expertise will contribute to these UK priority challenges. The UK Marine & Coastal Access Act (MCAA), UK Climate Change Act, EU Habitats Directive and EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) support sustainable use of the marine environment. They also support the UK vision for achieving 'clean, healthy, safe productive and biologically diverse ocean and seas' (UK Marine Science Strategy). We will provide a coherent framework for sound evidence based-science in support of these policy instruments and statutory requirements. For example, the MSFD aims to achieve Good Environmental Status in EU marine waters by 2020, but we lack understanding of the magnitude and synchronicity of change in SSEs. Our research will directly inform Descriptor 1 (biological diversity) and 6 (seabed integrity) for a wide range of sediment habitats over time, which is important because the determination of good environmental status may have to be adapted over time (addressed in Task 2) "in view of the dynamic nature of marine ecosystems and their natural variability, and given that the pressures and impacts on them may vary with the evolvement of different patterns of human activity and the impact of climate change" (MSFD). Our work will also inform environmental monitoring programmes: OSPARs Joint Assessment and Monitoring programme, the Eutrophication Monitoring Programme and The Clean Seas Environment Monitoring Programme (CSEMP, led by consortium member CEFAS). Task 1-3 complement the outcomes of CESEMP and provide scientific evidence to OSPAR. Similarly, experimental scenarios and modelling approaches will provide needed information for (i) the EU Water Framework Directive (the requirement for 'good chemical and ecological status' by 2015 does not account for climate change) and, (ii) the UK White Paper for MCAA (it is unclear how commitments to "look ahead at the predicted impacts of climate change on the marine environment, how marine activities will contribute towards it, and how they are affected by it" will be achieved). Finally, other EU instruments, such as the Habitats Directive (introduced in 1992), the EU Common Fisheries Policy (revised in 2002) and national legislation such as the UK MCAA and Scottish Marine Act, assume that removal (or control) of direct pressures will result in ecosystem recovery and/or species persistence. Our programme includes experimental scenarios and modelling approaches to provide further information on the vulnerability of SSEs in environmental futures under multiple pressures (Task 3). Our outputs will also help NERC meet its science theme challenges.
Public, wider community: active engagement with a variety of organisations is detailed in Pathways to Impact (PtI).
Skills & training: In addition to academic progression, early career researchers will gain experience and receive mentoring in running a large interdisciplinary programme, as well as training in communication skills and scientific methodology
Publications
Aldridge JN
(2017)
Comparing benthic biogeochemistry at a sandy and a muddy site in the Celtic Sea using a model and observations.
in Biogeochemistry
Bohórquez J
(2017)
Different Types of Diatom-Derived Extracellular Polymeric Substances Drive Changes in Heterotrophic Bacterial Communities from Intertidal Sediments.
in Frontiers in microbiology
Diesing M
(2017)
Predicting the standing stock of organic carbon in surface sediments of the North-West European continental shelf.
in Biogeochemistry
Hicks N
(2017)
Oxygen dynamics in shelf seas sediments incorporating seasonal variability
in Biogeochemistry
Hull T
(2020)
Bottom mixed layer oxygen dynamics in the Celtic Sea
in Biogeochemistry
Kitidis V
(2017)
Seasonal benthic nitrogen cycling in a temperate shelf sea: the Celtic Sea
in Biogeochemistry
Luisetti T
(2019)
Quantifying and valuing carbon flows and stores in coastal and shelf ecosystems in the UK
in Ecosystem Services
Luisetti T
(2020)
Climate action requires new accounting guidance and governance frameworks to manage carbon in shelf seas.
in Nature communications
Passarelli C
(2020)
Environmental context determines the impact of titanium oxide and silver nanoparticles on the functioning of intertidal microalgal biofilms
in Environmental Science: Nano
Sciberras M
(2016)
Impacts of bottom fishing on the sediment infaunal community and biogeochemistry of cohesive and non-cohesive sediments Trawling impacts on ecosystem processes
in Limnology and Oceanography
Description | The work highlighted the variability of pH profiles in sediments, thus providing insights into biogeochemical processes within this environment and a context in which to assess potential climate change/ocean acidification impacts. The work highlighted the very significant carbon stores held in marine sediments and formed the basis for first efforts at valuation of this ecosystem service and impact assessments of human activities. |
Exploitation Route | The research findings have informed policy advise to Defra and resulted in further funding in the context of Blue Carbon and Nature Based Solutions. |
Sectors | Environment |
URL | https://www.uk-ssb.org/shelf_seas_report.pdf |
Description | A policy briefing document/report card has been prepared, presented to an invited audience of relevant policy makers at a policy dissemination event in Defra (11/10/2018) and formally launched (using the programme website and targetted press-releases) towards the end of 2018. Details (as provided on the programme website (https://www.uk-ssb.org/shelf_seas_report.html) are given below. To date, the report appears to have been very well received and progress is being made in ensuring an impact legacy of the key findings highlighted. From the website: Shelf Seas: the engine of productivity - underpinning science for policy and management This report summarises key policy-relevant results arising from the NERC-Defra Shelf Sea Biogeochemistry Programme (SSB), 2013-2018. It focuses on current scientific understanding of the shelf seas around Britain: the key processes that maintain their status, variability and response to impacts (climate and human); their potential to remove and store carbon ('blue carbon'); and the lessons for policy in monitoring, managing and valuing these precious habitats. These findings provide evidence for Defra, the devolved administrations and other stakeholders to help ensure the sustainable use of the UK marine environment. Download the full report as a pdf document - Download "Shelf Seas: the engine of productivity - underpinning science for policy and management" as a pdf (4.58 MB). Results included a much-improved understanding of the role of shelf seas in removing and storing carbon ('blue carbon'), and the lessons for policy in monitoring, managing and valuing these precious habitats. These findings provide evidence for Defra, the devolved administrations and other stakeholders to help ensure the sustainable use of the UK marine environment. Key findings presented in the report include: •The UK shelf seas take up large amounts of carbon dioxide, thereby slowing global warming; however, many knowledge gaps remain • Climate change is already affecting UK shelf seas and impacts will intensify • Many interacting factors control the amount and growth of the microscopic plants (phytoplankton) that underpin nearly all other life in the sea • Surprisingly, a summer-time lack of iron may be one of the constraints on phytoplankton growth; this has not been found before in shelf seas • The chemistry and biology of shelf seas is strongly affected by the highly variable conditions at the seafloor, affected by natural processes and human disturbance • Marine protected areas provide unique opportunities for separating climate-driven changes from direct human actions; for example, trawling • Most trawling impacts on seafloor life and processes seem to occur the first time an area is trawled; on that basis, it would seem better to have high fishing effort in some areas and none in others, rather than equally spreading the seafloor disturbance • Novel technologies are increasingly being used to find out how shelf seas work, providing many direct and indirect benefits to society. The UK Shelf Sea Biogeochemistry research programme was a £10.5 million study co-funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). The SSB Publications link to the 85 programme publications that provide the factual basis for this report. Please cite as : Kröger S, Parker R, Cripps G & Williamson P (Eds.) 2018. Shelf Seas: The Engine of Productivity, Policy Report on NERC-Defra Shelf Sea Biogeochemistry programme. Cefas, Lowestoft. |
First Year Of Impact | 2018 |
Sector | Environment |
Impact Types | Policy & public services |
Description | Shelf Seas The Engine of productivity (Policy Report on NERC-Defra Shelf Sea Biogeochemistry Programme) |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Implementation circular/rapid advice/letter to e.g. Ministry of Health |
URL | https://www.uk-ssb.org/shelf_seas_report.pdf |
Title | WP2 Datatasets |
Description | 1.Four research cruises collecting sediment data; nine research cruises deploying instrumentation. Sediment data = nutrient fluxes, pore water, PSA, RFA, O2/pH profiles, OCN, porosity, sediment chlorophyll/phaeopigments, infauna Instrumented moorings data = salinity, temperature, O2, suspended load, PAR, chlorophyll fluorescence, discrete water samples for nutrients, CDOM 2. Wider-shelf sampling for pCO2 TA/DIC and nutrients on RV Cefas Endeavour throughout 2014 and 2015. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2014 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Collecting data for the core aims of the SSB programme. |
Description | A comparison between observations and biogeochemical modelling at two sites in the Celtic Sea |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | An oral conference presentation at the Challenger Society meeting in Liverpool. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
Description | Benthic pH and oxygen dynamics - A seasonal and spatial study |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | SSB final science conference in Winchester. Formal presentations, mostly aimed at programme participants but also international meeting attendees. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Benthic pH profiles - A seasonal and spatial study in UK shelf sea regions |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | An oral presentation at the Challenger Society meeting in Liverpool. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
Description | Presentation of results to CSSEG |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Silke Kroeger presented the results of the Shelf Sea Biogeochemistry Programme to teh Cleana nd Safe Seas Evidence Group |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Presentation of results to HBDSEG |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Ruth Parker and Silke Kroeger presented the outcomes of the Shelf Sea Biogeochemistry programme to the members of the Healthy and Biologically Diverse Seas Evidence Group. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | SSB WP1 & 2: attendance at MKEN, UEA, 26/03/2015 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Cefas staff (Silke Kroeger, Tom Hull, Keith Weston, Naomi Greenwood, Georgia Bayliss-Brown) attended, manned a display, and engaged in networking and discussion. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
Description | SSB WP1 & WP2 NERC 50th anniversary celebrations: RRS Discovery Open Day, 8&9/10/2015 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Cefas staff (David Sivyer) presented and manned technology display and demonstration on RRS Discovery, alongside HMS Belfast, in support of NERC's 50th anniversary celebrations. To raise the profile of new-build RRS Discovery, and scope of NERC's science. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
Description | Science to Policy Dissemination event for SSB report (policy briefing document) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | The event was the formal launch of the "Shelf Seas: THE ENGINE OF PRODUCTIVITY" Policy report (cite as Kröger S., Parker R, Cripps G & Williamson P (Eds.) 2018, Shelf Seas: THE ENGINE OF PRODUCTIVITY, Policy Report on NERC-Defra Shelf Sea Biogeochemistry programme. Cefas, Lowestoft. DOI: 10.14465/2018.ssb.pbd) to representatives of the Defra Policy customers. It involved presentations by selected lead presenters on each of the 6 topics covered in the report card (Ecosystsem Status and Functioning; A Varible System; Effects of Climate Change; Blue Carbon; Monitoring, Modelling & Data for Assessment"). I organsised the event jointoly with the other three named editors and the lead policy customers in Defra (Caron Montgomory and her team). I presented the topic "Monitoring, Modelling & Data for Assessment". |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
URL | http://randd.defra.gov.uk/Default.aspx?Menu=Menu&Module=More&Location=None&Completed=2&ProjectID=178... |
Description | Variable consequences of warming scenarios below 2C for shelf seafloor carbon stocks and cycling |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | A workshop of scientific experts exploring scenarios with a view to drafting a peer-reviewed publications |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | WP1-5 Presentation to Cefas staff, December 2014 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | David Sivyer (Cefas) gave a presentation of the SSB programme and impacts to Cefas colleagues, generating discussion around the breadth of science. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |