Benthic ecosystems are ecological systems associated with the bottom substrates of aquatic environments, including marine, estuarine, and freshwater habitats, where organisms inhabit or interact with sediments, hardgrounds, or biogenic structures. They encompass diverse communities such as infauna, epifauna, demersal fishes, microphytobenthos, and benthic microbial assemblages that mediate key biogeochemical processes, including organic matter remineralization, nutrient regeneration, and sediment–water fluxes. Benthic ecosystems are structured by gradients in depth, hydrodynamics, sedimentology, oxygen availability, and resource inputs, and they play critical roles in carbon cycling, secondary production, habitat provision, and the coupling of pelagic and sedimentary processes within broader aquatic food webs and ecosystem functioning.
Sea cucumbers (Apostichopus japonicus) have been slowly disappearing from ocean floors over the last few decades, mostly due to overfishing for food and medicinal purposes. Despite their name, sea cucumbers are aquatic animals ...
NOAA-supported scientists announced today that this year's Gulf of Mexico "dead zone"—an area of low to no oxygen that can kill fish and marine life—is approximately 4,402 square miles, 21% smaller than estimates from early ...
Environment
Aug 1, 2025
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A Chinese submersible has discovered thousands of worms and mollusks nearly 10 kilometers (six miles) below sea level in the Mariana Trench, the deepest colony of creatures ever observed, a study revealed on Wednesday.
Plants & Animals
Jul 30, 2025
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394
Large surface waves produced by powerboats are a mainstay for recreational watersports. A new study from the University of Minnesota shows that beneath the surface, factors such as propeller thrust and other types of waves ...
Ecology
Jul 29, 2025
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When an earthquake causes a landslide, debris flow, or erosion, it can change the makeup of nearby lakes by introducing larger sediment particles, causing faster sediment buildup, and affecting carbon sequestration. The sediments ...
Earth Sciences
Jul 24, 2025
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29
Offshore wind farms not only deliver clean energy but can also play a vital role in restoring vulnerable ecosystems both above and below the waterline. This includes seabed habitats, coral reefs, seagrass meadows and coastal ...
Environment
Jul 7, 2025
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Scientists have studied the predatory behavior of sharks in deep-sea ecosystems. This research provides insights into the behavior and distribution range of Pacific sleeper sharks. The research is published in the journal ...
Plants & Animals
Jul 3, 2025
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181
Deep-sea mining could impact marine life stretching from the tiniest bottom dwellers to apex predators like swordfish and sharks, a major piece of industry-funded research found Thursday.
Environment
Jul 3, 2025
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109
In recent years, special wash-down areas have been built in marinas to reduce the environmental problems caused by boat bottom paints. An analysis of Hinsholmskilen by the University of Gothenburg shows that the levels of ...
Ecology
Jun 27, 2025
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24
Deep-sea mining in a remote part of the Pacific Ocean could harm ocean life including whales and dolphins, new research shows.
Ecology
Jun 24, 2025
2
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