Journal of Marine SystemsPub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2026-04-19DOI: 10.1016/j.jmarsys.2026.104222
Gerry Giliant Salamena , Simon Tubalawony , Sem Likumahua , Intan Suci Nurhati , Ristiyanto Adiputra , Daniel Deonisius Pelasula , Ferdimon Kainama
{"title":"The observations of physical, geological and biological impacts of seasonal internal tides in a deep embayment of the oceanic island system: Insights from outer Ambon Bay, eastern Indonesia","authors":"Gerry Giliant Salamena , Simon Tubalawony , Sem Likumahua , Intan Suci Nurhati , Ristiyanto Adiputra , Daniel Deonisius Pelasula , Ferdimon Kainama","doi":"10.1016/j.jmarsys.2026.104222","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jmarsys.2026.104222","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The effects of seasonal internal tides at highly supercritical slope (hereafter, the slope) of outer Ambon Bay, eastern Indonesia on water stratification, sediment resuspension and the vertical chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) displacement were investigated. This study employed (i) longitudinal CTD casts starting from an offshore site with the absence of internal tides to the slope where internal tides likely exist, and (ii) 24-h CTD yoyo measurements at a point in the slope to observe hourly isothermal displacements linked to internal tides. The CTD measurements were coupled with Chl-a and turbidity profilers and were conducted during spring tide condition to consider the peak of isothermal excursion and under seasonal-varying thermocline during easterly and westerly monsoons. Both seasons under the prevailing spring tide condition showed the signatures of the phenomenon indicated by vertical isothermal excursion with the internal tide amplitude and the associated vertical velocity larger during easterly monsoon (140 m; 9 × 10–3 m/s) than during westerly monsoon (50 m; 4 × 10–3 m/s). This corresponded to the weaker stratification during easterly monsoon than westerly monsoon. The effects of seasonal internal tides to water column, sediment resuspension and Chl-a distribution are as follows. The signature of vertical mixing was detected during the measurements when comparing Brunt-Vaisala frequency (N<sup>2</sup>) in both seasons between an offshore station without internal tides and stations at the slope with internal tides. Here, the reduced stratification was found at stations located at the slope, indicating that vertical mixing occurred due to internal tide dissipation over the slope. The internal tide dissipation along the slope created bottom sediment resuspension, indicated by the increased bottom turbidity, over a larger area during easterly monsoon (1.5 km across the slope) than westerly monsoon (0.4 km across the slope). The formation of a bottom nepheloid layer (turbidity ≥3 NTU) was only observed in easterly monsoon. For the two seasons, maximum of Chl-a was observed at different depth (near surface for easterly and mid-depth for westerly monsoon) and only the mid-depth maximum was affected by the vertical displacement of the internal tides.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50150,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Marine Systems","volume":"255 ","pages":"Article 104222"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147802492","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Felipe I. Torres , Carlos Lara , Carlos Molinet , Nicole Castillo-Villagrán , Bernardo R. Broitman
{"title":"Spatial heterogeneity in mussel larval abundance across fjord systems of northern Chilean Patagonia","authors":"Felipe I. Torres , Carlos Lara , Carlos Molinet , Nicole Castillo-Villagrán , Bernardo R. Broitman","doi":"10.1016/j.jmarsys.2026.104227","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jmarsys.2026.104227","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Climate change is reshaping marine ecosystems by altering the timing, intensity, and predictability of key biological processes. In northern Chilean Patagonia, where mussel aquaculture depends on wild seed collection, variability in oceanographic and climatic conditions may affect mussel larval abundance at local scales. Here, we analyze a decade of monthly data on mussel larvae collected at seven sites distributed across contrasting fjord and channel systems. We assess phenological patterns, extreme events, and long-term trends in larval abundance, and evaluate their associations with local hydrography and large-scale climate indices (ENSO, PDO, SAM) and local hydrographic variability. Larval peaks varied in timing and duration across sites, and we identified extreme positive and negative events. Extreme positive larval abundances were concentrated at mid-latitude sites and occurred during strong negative PDO phases, often combined with La Niña or positive SAM. In contrast, decreasing trends were detected at the southernmost sites, while a positive trend emerged at one mid-latitude site. These contrasting patterns suggest that larval dynamics are primarily shaped by large-scale climate forcing, with local hydrographic conditions modulating site-specific responses. These contrasting patterns highlight strong spatial heterogeneity in larval dynamics, suggesting that local hydrographic conditions and geomorphological setting play a key role in modulating the effects of large-scale climate variability. Our results emphasize that larval abundance cannot be generalized across the region and must be interpreted within the context of site-specific processes. Understanding these local dynamics is critical for predicting variability in seed availability and supporting the sustainability of mussel aquaculture under changing environmental conditions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50150,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Marine Systems","volume":"255 ","pages":"Article 104227"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147858971","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Journal of Marine SystemsPub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2026-04-19DOI: 10.1016/j.jmarsys.2026.104224
Jun Yi , Xiang Li , Jiuke Wang , Yunfei Zhang , Ran Yang , Yafei Nie
{"title":"Deep learning-based downscaling of ocean surface vector wind over the Taiwan Strait and its adjacent seas with Pangu-weather","authors":"Jun Yi , Xiang Li , Jiuke Wang , Yunfei Zhang , Ran Yang , Yafei Nie","doi":"10.1016/j.jmarsys.2026.104224","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jmarsys.2026.104224","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>As a critical economic hub for fisheries and maritime transport, the Taiwan Strait and its adjacent seas urgently require high-resolution ocean surface vector wind (OSVW) forecasting with extended lead times. However, accurate OSVW forecasting in this region is particularly challenging due to complex monsoon regimes and unique geography. In this study, we developed UNet-based deep learning (DL) downscaling approaches and enhanced the resolution of the DL-based weather prediction model, Pangu-Weather, from 0.25° to 0.03° for OSVW over the Taiwan Strait and its adjacent seas. The model was trained using high-resolution (0.01°) atmospheric reanalysis data from the High-Resolution China Meteorological Administration Land Data Assimilation System (HRCLDAS). Results show that the Temporal Enhanced UNet (TempE-UNet) slightly improved overall prediction skill compared to the time-agnostic UNet during the 120 h (5 days) forecast window. Additionally, TempE-UNet more accurately captured local wind field characteristics than the standard UNet. Our results demonstrate that incorporating temporal information as an additional predictor enhances downscaling performance, offering a promising paradigm for operational OSVW forecasting.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50150,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Marine Systems","volume":"255 ","pages":"Article 104224"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147802490","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Journal of Marine SystemsPub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2026-05-04DOI: 10.1016/j.jmarsys.2026.104230
I. Carrera-Rodríguez , V. Soto-López , Ricardo López-Alonso , Esteban Pascual-Parra , Claudia González-Toral , Andrés Arias , Eduardo Cires , J.A. García-Maza , M. Bartolomé , D. Menéndez-Teleña
{"title":"3D tool for monitoring fouling in small vessels from Asturias, Bay of Biscay","authors":"I. Carrera-Rodríguez , V. Soto-López , Ricardo López-Alonso , Esteban Pascual-Parra , Claudia González-Toral , Andrés Arias , Eduardo Cires , J.A. García-Maza , M. Bartolomé , D. Menéndez-Teleña","doi":"10.1016/j.jmarsys.2026.104230","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jmarsys.2026.104230","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The transfer of invasive species poses a serious threat to global ecology and economy, causing substantial damage to biodiversity. These species colonize new habitats outside their natural distribution range due to human activities, resulting in ecological, economic, and health-related harm. The primary pathways for their introduction are ballast water and biofouling. Biofouling not only causes biological contamination but also negatively impacts the hydrodynamic performance of vessels, increasing fuel consumption and CO<sub>2</sub> emissions.</div><div>This study focused on the analysis of biofouling on small vessels across nine ports in Asturias, in the Bay of Biscay. During dry-docking, biofouling samples were collected from 40 vessels, and information on their characteristics, hull treatments, and navigation areas was recorded. A total of 163 species were identified, 15 (10.6%) of which were classified as invasive. 3D technologies and RGB image recognition were employed to model the hulls and assess the percentage of biofouling on each vessel.</div><div>The study revealed that the majority of vessels exhibited significant fouling coverage, with 90% of the ships showing biofouling levels between 50% and 100% of the hull surface. The findings underscore the urgent need for more effective strategies to control biofouling on small vessels, which are often not subject to strict regulations. The implementation of 3D technologies and RGB image recognition could facilitate the monitoring and control of this phenomenon, which might reduce the spread of invasive species.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50150,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Marine Systems","volume":"255 ","pages":"Article 104230"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147858582","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Journal of Marine SystemsPub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2026-04-24DOI: 10.1016/j.jmarsys.2026.104225
M. Pilar Olivar , Ana Sabatés , Vanesa Raya , Airam N. Sarmiento-Lezcano , María Couret
{"title":"Offshore larval fish assemblages in contrasting environmental zones around the Iberian Peninsula","authors":"M. Pilar Olivar , Ana Sabatés , Vanesa Raya , Airam N. Sarmiento-Lezcano , María Couret","doi":"10.1016/j.jmarsys.2026.104225","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jmarsys.2026.104225","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The changes in species composition, abundance and vertical distribution of larval fish assemblages were analysed in four offshore zones with contrasting oceanographic conditions, around the Iberian Peninsula (northeast Atlantic and western Mediterranean). In each zone, sampling was conducted at four stations using a MOCNESS-1 net. Larvae of mesopelagic species dominated the samples (70.4% of abundance), with a higher number in the Atlantic (41 taxa) than in the Mediterranean (28 taxa). The most frequent and abundant were the Gonostomatidae <em>Cyclothone</em> spp. and the Myctophidae <em>Ceratoscopelus</em> spp. Shelf species were frequent, albeit in low abundance, denoting larval transport from nearshore areas, but limited survival. Temperature and chlorophyll-<em>a</em> were identified as the main environmental drivers structuring larval fish assemblages. Vertical distributions showed that species within the same genus had similar vertical patterns across all zones, highlighting the relevance of phylogeny vs hydrography. Larvae of most taxa (i.e., Gonostomatidae, Myctophidae, Paralepididae and Vinciguerriidae) were concentrated in the upper 100 m, whereas Sternoptychidae occurred mainly between 100 and 300 m. In highly stratified zones, many species occurred both at the upper mixed and pycnocline layers, so the pycnocline did not appear to act as a barrier between these two hydrographically different layers. Instead, it seemed to act as a barrier mainly for larvae with deeper vertical distribution that, when vertical gradients were weak could reach near surface layers. The water column stability was used to discuss reasons to explain why the more productive and unstable zones exhibited lower larval abundances compared to the more oligotrophic and stratified zones.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50150,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Marine Systems","volume":"255 ","pages":"Article 104225"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147858970","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Journal of Marine SystemsPub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2026-04-30DOI: 10.1016/j.jmarsys.2026.104228
Abdelrhim Eltijani , Musaab A.A. Mohammed , Janos Geiger
{"title":"The PED model: A source-to-sink framework for plastic particle transport, deep-sea sequestration, and Anthropocene stratigraphy","authors":"Abdelrhim Eltijani , Musaab A.A. Mohammed , Janos Geiger","doi":"10.1016/j.jmarsys.2026.104228","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jmarsys.2026.104228","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Recent advances in oceanic plastic budgets show that the apparent discrepancy between estimated plastic inputs and observed surface concentrations is explained by vertical transport and deep-sea sequestration. However, these processes remain insufficiently integrated into a sedimentological framework capable of predicting plastic transport and preservation. Here, we present the Plastic Entrainment-Deposition (PED) Model, which treats plastic particles as sedimentary grains governed by fluid mechanics, hydraulic equivalence, and early-stage diagenetic modification. By embedding plastics within a source-to-sink framework, the model provides a process-based description of their transport, sorting, and accumulation across marine environments. Synthesizing chronostratigraphic records from marine basins, including Santa Barbara Basin and Beppu Bay, we show that plastic sequestration can be explained by three pathways: surface advection, bio-mediated vertical flux, and benthic redistribution by bottom currents. We further define the “Plastic Stratum,” a globally coherent anthropogenic interval, marked by a First Appearance Datum near 1950 CE, associated with the Great Acceleration and characterized by increasing particle abundance and polymer diversification. The PED Model is a conceptual hypothesis that generates testable predictions regarding microplastic flux, grain-size distributions, and depositional patterns, by establishing plastic particles as a persistent stratigraphic signal of the Anthropocene and providing a foundation for predictive, process-based models of their long-term geological fate.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50150,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Marine Systems","volume":"255 ","pages":"Article 104228"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147858581","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Journal of Marine SystemsPub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-02-10DOI: 10.1016/j.jmarsys.2026.104198
Zhiwei Liu , Yufei Zhou , Qiuyun Ma , Siquan Tian
{"title":"Advancing mixed pelagic fishery stock assessment: Integrating species misidentification for enhanced management strategies","authors":"Zhiwei Liu , Yufei Zhou , Qiuyun Ma , Siquan Tian","doi":"10.1016/j.jmarsys.2026.104198","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jmarsys.2026.104198","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Due to the similar morphology of Chub mackerel (<em>Scomber japonicus</em>) and Blue mackerel (<em>S. australasicus</em>), distinguishing them in fishing operations is challenging, resulting in their fishery data being collected together and the two species being managed jointly within the NPFC. This study used the JABBA-Select model to compare stock assessments of these two mackerels in the Northwest Pacific Ocean under species-specific and species-mixed scenarios. Results indicated that, most parameter estimates from the species-mixed assessment fell between or close to those from the species-specific assessments, generally aligning more closely with Chub mackerel. Sensitivity analysis revealed that variations in catch composition—specifically, the relative proportions of Chub mackerel and Blue mackerel in the total catch— did not significant influence the stock assessment results of Chub mackerel. Since the species-mixed assessment provides robust results under data-limited conditions for the dominant species (Chub mackerel) and intermediate between single-species estimates, we recommend this combined approach for practical assessment and management. While species differentiation impacts assessment, enhancing data collection and species identification should remain important yet non-primary priorities to enable species-specific assessment for Chub and Blue mackerels.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50150,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Marine Systems","volume":"254 ","pages":"Article 104198"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147401011","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Journal of Marine SystemsPub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-02-06DOI: 10.1016/j.jmarsys.2026.104197
Alberto Sánchez , Greg Cowie
{"title":"Nitrogen isotopic composition of shelf and slope sediments in the eastern tropical North Pacific","authors":"Alberto Sánchez , Greg Cowie","doi":"10.1016/j.jmarsys.2026.104197","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jmarsys.2026.104197","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Eastern Tropical North Pacific (ETNP) is characterized by high primary productivity and an oxygen minimum zone (OMZ; ∼200–800 m depth). These characteristics have been used to explain temporal variability in δ<sup>15</sup>N within the OMZ and to assess changes in denitrification. We present new δ<sup>15</sup>N data from surface sediments, which are compared with δ<sup>15</sup>N-nitrate and -sinking particulate matter to investigate the relative contributions of water-column denitrification and surface nitrate assimilation to the sedimentary δ<sup>15</sup>N. We examine the latitudinal gradient of δ<sup>15</sup>N values to identify the mechanisms driving their decrease toward higher latitudes and to determine whether the present-day gradient resembles that observed under the oceanographic conditions of the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). This comparison provides a more robust basis for interpreting both periods, an aspect that remains poorly constrained. The δ<sup>15</sup>N-nitrate, −sinking particulate matter, and -surface sediments showed <sup>15</sup>N enrichment within the ETNP and with latitude. The δ<sup>15</sup>N values are controlled by nitrogen-loss processes within the OMZ and by the degree of utilization of available nitrate in the euphotic zone. δ<sup>15</sup>N values were lower in the LGM than in the Holocene for the ETNP and Northeastern Pacific (NEP), the latitudinal gradient remained remarkably similar in both regions. The higher δ<sup>15</sup>N values in the ETNP than in NEP resulted from dissolved‑oxygen consumption driven by the oxidation of exported production, under conditions of similar productivity levels. Limited ventilation during the Holocene was the principal contributor to intense denitrification in the ETNP and to the subsequent advection of its signal into the NEP.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50150,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Marine Systems","volume":"254 ","pages":"Article 104197"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146174827","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Journal of Marine SystemsPub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-01-31DOI: 10.1016/j.jmarsys.2026.104187
Jochen Kämpf
{"title":"The plankton quiz: Parameter studies of a NPZD model in a seasonal coastal upwelling region","authors":"Jochen Kämpf","doi":"10.1016/j.jmarsys.2026.104187","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jmarsys.2026.104187","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This work uses a coupled physical-biological NPZD model in the seasonal upwelling system of the Bonney Coast upwelling region, South Australia, in a range of biological parameter studies, dubbed “plankton quiz”. The model is forced by a constant upwelling favourable wind over 3 months. Discussed are findings of experiments considering halving or doubling of either a) the maximum phytoplankton growth rate μ*, b) the maximum zooplankton grazing rate g*, or c) all rate terms of the biological model. An increase in μ* leads to an increase in phytoplankton and zooplankton biomasses, but at reduced rates for larger values due to nutrient limitation on phytoplankton growth. An increase in g* leads to decrease in phytoplankton biomass, but there is an intermediate value for which zooplankton production is at maximum. Except for low values, variation of the magnitude of all rate terms by the same fraction does not significantly change the final phytoplankton and zooplankton biomasses at the end of the upwelling season. Moreover, the findings show that the settings of the biological model control the characteristic timescale of phytoplankton growth; that is, the timespan over which an equilibrium phytoplankton level establishes. From this, the best model setting can be derived from a comparison of exponential growth rates of observed and predicted chlorophyll-<em>a</em> values for selected upwelling events. For the Bonney Coast upwelling region, this corresponds to minimum chlorophyll-<em>a</em> doubling timescale of 5 days, which is equivalent to a growth rate of ∼0.14 day<sup>−1</sup>.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50150,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Marine Systems","volume":"254 ","pages":"Article 104187"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146174829","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Formation and sedimentation characteristics of oil-contained agglomerates under the action of microplastics","authors":"Xinyu Qin, Zhixin Qi, Miao Yang, Xiaoan He, Deqi Xiong","doi":"10.1016/j.jmarsys.2026.104188","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jmarsys.2026.104188","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Microplastics (MPs) and oil pollution in the oceans are both matters of significant concern. Although the MPs-oil-dispersant agglomerates (MODA) in the marine environment have been reported, there is a paucity of research on the oil sedimentation in the presence of MPs. This experimental study was therefore set out to explore the effects of crude oil properties and MPs size on the formation and sedimentation characteristics of MODA. During each 360 min oscillation test for the MPs, oil, dispersant and seawater mixture in an Erlenmeyer flask, the MODA continued to form over time and the formation rate was faster in the initial 120 min. The variation of oil sinking efficiency with time was well fitted by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Results of contact angle measurements indicated that higher wettability of MPs by crude oil was conducive to the formation of smaller sized MODA. The estimated density and sinking velocity of the MODA formed by the 550 μm MPs were in the range of 1116.56-1257.92 kg/m<sup>3</sup> and 36.20-61.78 mm/s, respectively, after 120 min oscillation. High-viscosity oil and small-sized MPs were conducive to the formation of MODA, and the MPs size displayed a significant influence on the morphological structure of MODA. The MODA formed by 1000 μm MPs were approximately two times the size of those formed by 250 μm MPs, and had a much looser structure. The findings of this work may assist in predicting the fate and transport of spilled oil in the presence of MPs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50150,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Marine Systems","volume":"254 ","pages":"Article 104188"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146174828","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}