#benthos

[todays-xkcd]

Benthic Santas weren't even discovered until the 1970s, but many scientists now believe Christmas may have originally developed around hydrothermal vents and only later migrated to the surface.

Hydrothermal Vents [Explained]

Transcript Under the Cut

[Top label:] Smoke [Middle label:] Chimneys [Bottom label:] Santas being digested

[Caption below the panel:] Ocean fact: Hydrothermal vent black smokers actually evolved as predatory chimney mimics to feed on benthic Santas.

[todropscience]

BOTTOM TRAWLING RELEASES HIDDEN CO₂ FROM THE SEAFLOOR

A new study reveals that bottom trawling, an industrial fishing practice that drags heavy nets across the seafloor, may significantly reduce the ocean's capacity to absorb carbon dioxide (CO₂). When sediment is resuspended by trawling, storms, or tides, it exposes previously buried compounds like pyrite (FeS₂) to oxygen. The oxidation of pyrite releases CO₂ into the water, contributing to the ocean’s carbon flux and potentially adding to atmospheric greenhouse gases.

Until now, most research had focused on how disturbing organic carbon in sediments accelerates its remineralization into CO₂. This new research, however, highlights that the oxidation of pyrite, a sulfur-based mineral, could be an even greater source of carbon dioxide from the seafloor. Since fine-grained sediments rich in pyrite are widespread on continental shelves, many of which overlap with commercial fishing zones, the implications are global.

This finding underscores an urgent need to reconsider bottom trawling practices, not only for their ecological impacts but also for their role in climate dynamics. Marine protected areas and bottom trawling bans could play a vital role in preserving the ocean's function as a carbon sink. As the climate crisis intensifies, protecting the seafloor may prove as important as conserving forests.

Main photo: Tube worms and brittle stars thriving in mud bottom. Photo Oceana

Reference: Kalapurakkal et al., 2025. Sediment resuspension in muddy sediments enhances pyrite oxidation and carbon dioxide emissions in Kiel Bight. Communications Earth & Environment

[nereididae]

One of the extremely cool guys from my samples

Family; Neotanaidae - Rockall Trough 2200m

[jgthirlwell]

playlist 01.25.26

Ben Lamar Gay Yowzers (International Anthem) Benthos From Nothing (InsideOut) Anton Anishchanka Krope (Shatkavalka) Julie Herndon Electronic Etudes (Populist Records) Protomen Act III This City Made Us (Soundmachine) Los Thuthanaka Los Thuthanaka (Bandcamp) Jacaszek Idylla (Touch) Slikback Attrition (Planet Mu) Yusuf Lateef Cry Tender (Prestige) Horse Lords & Arnold Dreyblatt Extended Field (RVNG) Boko Yout Gusto (Hoopdiggas Recordings) Charmaine Lee Tulpa (Kou Records) Emergence Collective Swimming in The Early Hours (Redundant Span) Rien Virgule Berceuses Des Deux Mondees (Murailles) Author & Punisher Nocturnal Birding (Relapse) Geoff Barrow Game OST (Invada) Sanam Sametou Sawtan (Constellation) Ichiko Aoba Luminescent Creatures (Hermine) This Is Lorelei Holo Boy (Double Double Whammy) Trauma Bond Summer Ends Some Are Long Gone (Bandcamp) Jonny Greenwood One Battle After Another OST (Nonesuch) Gazelle Twin Summerwater OST (Invada) Imperial Triumphant Goldstar (Century Media) Bummer Dead Horse (Thrill Jockey) Wednesday Bleeds (Dead Oceans) The Big Idea Half a Dozen (Exag) Kinlaw and Franco Franco Faith Elsewhere (Drowned By Locals) Jersey Band Beast Wedding / Forever Hammer (Bandcamp) Piotr Musial The Altars Game Soundtrack (Black Screen) Rumah Sakit Rumah Sakit (Temporary Residence) Undo K from Hot G.A.S Get A Star (Bandcamp) Carolyn Yarnell Sonic Vision (Tzadik) International Harvester Sov Gott Rose-Marie (Love Records) The Neighb’rhood Childr’n Long Years In Space (Sundazed)

[armadillorollup]

I frogot to post two OCs I made! Two college aged sea creatures: Si the Cuttlefish and Mac the wobbegong shark

[psycloclo]

I watched the Eternals and I found it quite nice, so here is a doodle of something absolutely NOT happening in the movie! (so, don't worry: they are no spoilers here)-

just me imagining Phastos protecting his husband

[olive-ridley]

Like every other time I tell someone I’m a marine biologist their response is “ooh I wanted to be that sooo bad when I was a kid! you’re so lucky!” look my 9-5 right now is ID many worms, put many worms in dehydrator, wait for many many days, and then set many worms on fire, rinse and repeat

[lake-lady]

I'm alone in lab today and it's so nice...no Imagine Dragons blasting for 8+ hrs, simply gentle folk music and silence 🥲