Continental Shelf Research最新文献

{"title":"Spatiotemporal features of storm surges in the Zhoushan Archipelago from 2001 to 2020","authors":"Zheng Guo ,&nbsp;Anzhou Cao ,&nbsp;Wenyao Ma ,&nbsp;Jicai Zhang ,&nbsp;Jinbao Song","doi":"10.1016/j.csr.2025.105492","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.csr.2025.105492","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Storm surges pose a critical coastal hazard, necessitating accurate modelling and understanding of their behavior. In this study, the Coastal and Regional Ocean Community model has been used to investigate spatiotemporal features of storm surges in the Zhoushan Archipelago. Based on simulations over 20 typhoon seasons (2001–2020), we find that islands closer to the mainland generally exhibit higher surge levels than remote offshore islands, suggesting that islands are subjected to varying degree of risk during a storm surge event. However, the specific distribution of storm surges depends on typhoon trajectories. Offshore-deviating typhoons lead to a general eastward diminution of surges, while typhoons that make landfall south of Zhoushan result in maximum surge heights along the southwestern islands’ coasts. In terms of temporal variation, storm surge integrated intensity exhibits a slight increasing trend, likely influenced by the decreasing distance of typhoon maximum intensity from Zhoushan. Furthermore, the integrated intensity of storm surge correlates positively with El Niño and La Niña events, particularly in regions characterized by intense storm surges. These findings provide valuable reference for the development of risk prevention and mitigation strategies in Zhoushan and other island cities.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50618,"journal":{"name":"Continental Shelf Research","volume":"291 ","pages":"Article 105492"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-05-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144124195","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":"Grazers play different roles in the microbial loop of oligotrophic and eutrophic subtropical marine ecosystems","authors":"Madeline Olivia ,&nbsp;Patrichka Wei-Yi Chen ,&nbsp;Wen-Chen Chou ,&nbsp;Vladimir Mukhanov ,&nbsp;Margarita Ufimtseva ,&nbsp;Tatiana Liashko ,&nbsp;Evgenii Sakhon ,&nbsp;Mariche Natividad ,&nbsp;An-Yi Tsai","doi":"10.1016/j.csr.2025.105490","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.csr.2025.105490","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In planktonic oceanic communities, heterotrophic bacteria (HB), <em>Synechococcus</em> spp. (SYNE), <em>Prochlorococcus</em> (PRO), and phototrophic picoeukaryotes (PPE) (&lt;2 μm in size) are the numerically dominant groups. Recent advancements in understanding the physiology and ecology of these small cells have shed light on the significant roles that microbes play in global biogeochemical cycles and food webs. In order to investigate the interaction between HB, picophytoplankton and nanoflagellate grazers, estimated the effects of grazers on HB and picophytoplankton using the size-fractionation experiments at two stations in the subtropical western Pacific: Matsu (St. M) and Penghu (St. P). At St. M, there is clear evidence for top-down control of SYNE and PRO due to the relatively high abundance recorded in &lt;2 μm filtered treatment within the 24-h sampling period. In contrast, at St. P, where higher temperatures and lower nutrient levels were observed compared to St. M, we suggest that the bottom-up factor (resource supply) is the primary driver of picophytoplankton growth. Furthermore, while PPE may not be the most abundant group, it is a dominant contributor to picophytoplankton biomass at both stations. It highlights the complex ecology of microbial communities in different subtropical Pacific oceanic regions, providing new insights into the important role these organisms play in ocean carbon cycling.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50618,"journal":{"name":"Continental Shelf Research","volume":"291 ","pages":"Article 105490"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-05-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144139303","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":"Mesophotic banks of Dendrophyllia ramea offshore Marzamemi (Sicily, Ionian Sea): a habitat classification model","authors":"Valentina Alice Bracchi ,&nbsp;Luca Marino ,&nbsp;Verena Voulaz ,&nbsp;Alessandra Savini ,&nbsp;Luca Fallati ,&nbsp;Andrea Giulia Varzi ,&nbsp;Pietro Bazzicalupo ,&nbsp;Daniela Basso","doi":"10.1016/j.csr.2025.105489","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.csr.2025.105489","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The occurrence and distribution of mesophotic autogenic habitat engineers are critical for the effective management and conservation of marine resources, as well as for regulating human activities. Recent deep-sea explorations in the Mediterranean Sea have revealed the occurrence of algal reefs (coralligenous), alongside notable contributions from invertebrates in creating reefs. As part of the CRESCIBLUREEF project, we investigated a sector offshore Marzamemi (Ionian Sea), at depths between 30 and 100 m, using integrated acoustic surveys and underwater videos. This study presents a detailed characterization of the acoustic facies associated with a dense population of <em>Dendrophyllia ramea</em>, a vulnerable arborescent scleractinian coral included in the cold-water coral group and recognized as habitat-former. Found between 65 and 90 m of depth in a muddy-sandy sedimentary environment, <em>D. ramea</em> forms small reef-like banks with patchily distributed colonies ranging in size from less than 10 cm to over 50 cm, generally on buried biogenic hard substrates, occupying an area of approximately 0.42 km². <em>D. ramea</em> functions as an autogenic habitat engineer, supporting rich epibenthic assemblages including abundant <em>Neopycnodonte cochlear</em> at the base of the colonies. However, evidence of marine litter, particularly abandoned ropes entangling the corals, indicates anthropogenic impacts, likely from fishing activities. By identifying the acoustic signature of <em>D. ramea</em> and validating it with in situ observations, this study successfully maps previously undocumented mesophotic coral banks in the Marzamemi area. Our findings underscore the ecological relevance and vulnerability of <em>D. ramea</em> habitats, highlighting the need for their inclusion in marine spatial planning and conservation strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50618,"journal":{"name":"Continental Shelf Research","volume":"291 ","pages":"Article 105489"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-05-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144106880","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":"Assessment of inorganic water quality in marine areas affected by an artificial beach nourishment: A case study in northeastern Brazil","authors":"Luiz Carlos Nunes da Silva ,&nbsp;Ravena Santiago Alves ,&nbsp;Isabelle de Oliveira Lima ,&nbsp;Francisco Pereira Marques Neto ,&nbsp;Guilherme Ribeiro de Melo ,&nbsp;Francisca Cintia Silva do Nascimento ,&nbsp;Bárbara Pereira Paiva ,&nbsp;Kamila Vieira de Mendonça ,&nbsp;Rivelino Martins Cavalcante ,&nbsp;Maria Ozilea Bezerra Menezes ,&nbsp;Michael Barbosa Viana","doi":"10.1016/j.csr.2025.105488","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.csr.2025.105488","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study examines the impact of an artificial beach nourishment project on seawater quality at two beaches in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil. The research was conducted between October 2019 and May 2022. Twenty-seven inorganic water quality parameters were analyzed in five phases: at the beginning, during execution and in three phases after completion of the works. The distribution of chemicals in the marine sediment was also analyzed. The water analysis showed that the average concentrations of four parameters were above the maximum permissible values (MPV) established by the Brazilian standard in at least one phase of the study. The fluoride concentration reached 2.4 mg/L, exceeding the MPV of 1.4 mg/L. Polyphosphates recorded a maximum value of 0.085 mg/L, exceeding the MPV of 0.031 mg/L, while hydrogen sulfide reached 0.0023 mg/L, exceeding the MPV of 0.0020 mg/L. Total residual chlorine showed average concentrations above the MPV of 0.01 mg/L in all phases of the study, with a maximum value of 0.64 mg/L. On the basis of this study, there is no concrete evidence that the concentrations above the MPV are due to the artificial beach nourishment, as these concentration peaks were not only observed in the samples taken during the execution phase of the work. Furthermore, no significant permanent changes in the physical and chemical properties of the water were detected after the end of the work. The statistical differences observed in the inorganic water quality parameters can be attributed to the marine dynamics in the region, such as strong currents, mixing of water masses and the tidal regime. In addition, the study area is influenced by various anthropogenic activities that can contribute significantly to these changes. The analysis of metals and nutrients in the sediment revealed concentrations below the limits established by the Brazilian standard.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50618,"journal":{"name":"Continental Shelf Research","volume":"291 ","pages":"Article 105488"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-05-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143934768","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":"Modelling intensity and frequency of seabed shear stress and sediment mobilization on the Canadian Pacific Shelf","authors":"M.Z. Li ,&nbsp;Y. Wu ,&nbsp;I. Fine ,&nbsp;P.F. Cummins","doi":"10.1016/j.csr.2025.105480","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.csr.2025.105480","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Ocean surface waves and currents can interact to produce strong seabed shear stress and sediments mobilization affecting infrastructure safety and benthic habitat distribution. An accurate understanding of these processes is important to inform decisions taken to ensure sustainable development of the oceans. Modelled waves, tidal current and circulation current data for a 3-year period were used in a combined-flow sediment transport model to simulate the seabed shear stresses and the mobilization of observed sediments on the Pacific Shelf of Canada. The modelling results are presented and analyzed to update the framework of seabed disturbance and sediment mobility on the Pacific Shelf. The shelf is affected by strong waves and tidal currents. Maximum mean significant wave height over the modelled period can reach 3 m and mean near-bottom tidal currents reach up to 0.6 m s⁻¹. Our modelling results indicate that the mean wave and tidal current shear velocities reach the maximum values of 4 and 3 cm s⁻¹ respectively. Observed sediments on the Pacific Shelf can be mobilized by tidal currents at least once during the modelled 3-year period over 46 % of the shelf area while waves can mobilize sediments over 47 % of the shelf area suggesting nearly equal tidal and wave effects. Furthermore, waves and currents interact to cause enhanced combined wave-current shear velocities &gt;5 cm s⁻¹ that are capable of mobilizing sediments over 80 % of the shelf area, nearly double that due to tides or waves alone. Regionalization of disturbance types based on the spatial variation of the relative importance of component processes in mobilizing sediments, however, demonstrates that tide-dominant disturbance type accounts for 43 % of the shelf area while wave-dominant disturbance accounts for 32 % of the shelf area suggesting tidal disturbance is more important than waves on the Pacific Shelf. Mixed disturbance only occurs over a small 11 % of the shelf area. Universal indices of Seabed Disturbance (SDI) and Sediment Mobility (SMI) were applied to better quantify the exposure of the seabed to oceanographic processes and sediment mobility, incorporating both the magnitude and frequency of these processes. Strong casual correlation between modelled shear stress and observed grain sizes for a range of values and over widely distributed areas on the shelf suggests that sediments are largely in equilibrium with the present-day hydrodynamics on the Pacific Shelf of Canada. The spatial variation of modelled bed shear stress, its correlation with the observed grain size, and patterns of modelled sediment mobilization and disturbance types from our study support and potentially improve the surficial geology, morphology, and sedimentary process knowledge for several regions of the Pacific Shelf.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50618,"journal":{"name":"Continental Shelf Research","volume":"291 ","pages":"Article 105480"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-05-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144068083","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":"Escalating variability of daily sea temperature decreases phytoplankton spring blooms","authors":"Zixuan Sun ,&nbsp;Yan Du ,&nbsp;Dongdong Xiang","doi":"10.1016/j.csr.2025.105479","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.csr.2025.105479","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Increases in sea surface temperature (SST) and its variability (SSTV) in the context of climate change have a great impact on marine phytoplankton productivity, but their combined effects on phytoplankton biomass, especially at a daily scale, have been poorly assessed. Here, we used an extended autoregressive (EAR) model to assess the different roles of SST and SSTV on phytoplankton spring blooms (PSB) in the Yellow Sea, based on 25 years (1998–2022) of daily-scale high-resolution chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) data from satellites. The annual patterns of PSB indices (start, peak, and duration) clearly exhibited years which were weak (low peak: Chl-a &lt;0.80 mg/m³; short duration: &lt;15 days) and strong (high peak: Chl-a &gt;1.0 mg/m³; long duration: &gt;60 days). The EAR model detected the significant effects of SST and SSTV on PSB indices, with SSTV being the more important determinant. SST is highly related to the timing of PSB start and end, with the average SST of 9.5 ± 0.7 °C at the start and 13.2 ± 1.95 °C at the end. The amplitude of SSTV was negatively correlated with the daily increase in Chl-a, highlighting the role of SSTV in modulating the magnitude of PSB. At low SST, the deepening of the mixed layer prolonged the time for phytoplankton to equilibrate nutrient and light requirements, whereas at low SSTV, the rate of environmental change within the mixed layer was reduced, allowing phytoplankton to adapt to the environment more quickly. Since the accumulation of phytoplankton biomass depends largely on daily acclimated growth, our results suggest that increasing daily temperature anomalies and warming in future are detrimental to phytoplankton biomass accumulation, and may reduce the magnitude of PSB in mid-to high-latitude seas.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50618,"journal":{"name":"Continental Shelf Research","volume":"290 ","pages":"Article 105479"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-04-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143890790","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":"Vertical circulation and heat flux of coastal ocean fronts in the northwestern South China Sea","authors":"Keyi Tan ,&nbsp;Lingling Xie ,&nbsp;Junyi Li ,&nbsp;Mingming Li ,&nbsp;Qiang Li ,&nbsp;Quanan Zheng","doi":"10.1016/j.csr.2025.105478","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.csr.2025.105478","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study investigates the 3D structure and vertical circulation of the coastal ocean fronts in the northwestern South China Sea (NWSCS) by applying the generalized Omega equation to cruise observations in late August and early September 2018. The results reveal three summer density front zones (SUF1∼3) in the surface and subsurface layers. SUF1 is distributed along the coast with water depths shallower than 20 m and a density gradient larger than 0.2 × 10⁻³ kg m⁻⁴. It extends vertically from surface to bottom and is dominated by salinity gradient. In contrast, SUF2 and SUF3 are temperature-dominated frontal zones appearing in the offshore subsurface layer. SUF2 is in the cross-shelf direction between the 20-m and 40-m isobaths associated with upwelling waters originating from the south. The observed submesoscale fronts have a Rossby number of <em>O</em>(1). The diagnosed vertical velocities indicate that an upwelling peak of 4.2 × 10⁻⁵ m s⁻¹ is located near the coast in SUF1, while, in contrast, a maximum vertical velocity of −5.1 × 10⁻⁵ m s⁻¹ in the cross-shelf SUF2. Dynamic analysis results indicate that ageostrophic advection is the dominant term. The vertical heat fluxes derived from the vertical velocity and temperature anomaly are mainly positive both in SUF1 and SUF2, with a maximum value of 279.5 W m⁻² and 418.8 W m⁻², respectively, which are one order larger than the sea surface heat flux during the observation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50618,"journal":{"name":"Continental Shelf Research","volume":"290 ","pages":"Article 105478"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-04-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143870034","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":"On the wind-driven European shelf sea-level variability and the associated oceanic circulation","authors":"Sam T. Diabaté ,&nbsp;Neil J. Fraser ,&nbsp;Martin White ,&nbsp;Barbara Berx ,&nbsp;Louis Marié ,&nbsp;Gerard D. McCarthy","doi":"10.1016/j.csr.2025.105466","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.csr.2025.105466","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The shelf to the west of Ireland, France and the United Kingdom is a region where currents and sea level respond to the wind activity in a remarkable manner throughout a range of timescales. Using altimetry-obtained measurements and a wind reanalysis, we demonstrate in the present contribution how the sub-annual sea-level variability can be understood as a response to the wind action. The winds drive water towards (away from) the coastline through Ekman transport, yielding sea-level changes coherent along and across the shelf and with maximum amplitude at the coast. The alignment of the winds with the isobaths determines the magnitude of sea-level changes. To investigate the impacts of these changes on the circulation variability, we bring together a comprehensive dataset of 30+ in-situ observations of recent current changes. Using these measurements, we show that sub-annual changes in the shelf-edge circulation from the Goban Spur to the Faroe-Shetland Channel arise from the geostrophic adjustment to shelf sea-level variations induced by the Ekman-driven accumulation of water towards the coastline. Our analysis suggests that the along-isobath current generated through this mechanism are primarily found over the shelf, only <em>impinge</em> on the upper slope, and do not affect the circulation above greater depth (<span><math><mo>&gt;</mo></math></span>500 m). Nonetheless, important slope circulations such as the Rockall Slope Current are substantially influenced on their shoreward side by this simple geostrophic adjustment process. Because sea-level changes co-vary over large distances on the shelf, there also is remarkable along-isobath coherence in the associated current changes but we warn against concluding this is evidence for the continuity of an ‘European Slope Current’ circumnavigating the European slope from Portugal to Norway.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50618,"journal":{"name":"Continental Shelf Research","volume":"291 ","pages":"Article 105466"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143895008","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":"Reproduction features of ocean quahog, Arctica islandica (Linnaeus, 1767), in the White Sea","authors":"Alexandra Vladimirovna Gerasimova ,&nbsp;Lyudmila Pavlovna Flyachinskaya ,&nbsp;Lezin Petr Andreevich ,&nbsp;Nadezhda Andreevna Filippova ,&nbsp;Alexandra Sergeevna Kudryashova ,&nbsp;Alexey Ivanovich Starkov ,&nbsp;Nikolai Vladimirovich Maximovich","doi":"10.1016/j.csr.2025.105469","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.csr.2025.105469","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The gametogenic cycle of ocean quahog, <em>Arctica islandica</em>, was investigated using specimens collected from a near-shore bed (10–15 m deep) in the Kandalaksha Bay of the White Sea during five summer seasons (1983, 1984, 2011, 2015, 2017). At present, the White Sea is the eastern distribution boundary of this mollusk. Local environmental conditions there differ considerably from those in other parts of its range, and many characteristics of the quahog populations in the White Sea are still poorly understood. In this study, we examined gonads from 384 ocean quahogs with shell length over 30 mm prepared with the use of standard histological techniques. The results showed that the reproductive cycle features <em>of A. islandica</em> in the White Sea were generally similar to those in other parts of its distribution. Clams in the spawning state were found mainly from the second half of July to October at a near-bottom water temperature of 9–15 °C. Both average (60–70 μm) and maximum (92–95 μm) size of mature oocytes of ocean quahogs from the White Sea were similar to those in North Atlantic populations. At the same time, we noted substantial interannual shifts in the spawning activity of <em>A. islandica</em> and showed that they reflected interannual changes in hydrological characteristics. However, it is unlikely that these shifts may affect the overall recruitment success of the population of this species.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50618,"journal":{"name":"Continental Shelf Research","volume":"290 ","pages":"Article 105469"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-04-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143821569","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":"Specific oceanographic conditions reflect meiofaunal communities: the case of a semi-enclosed gulf (Pagasitikos Gulf, Eastern Mediterranean)","authors":"K. Voulgaris,&nbsp;D. Vafidis","doi":"10.1016/j.csr.2025.105470","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.csr.2025.105470","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Semi-enclosed gulfs exhibit distinct oceanographic conditions, influencing the inhabiting organisms and communities. Analyzing samples from 55 stations taken at 10 cm sediment depth in spring 2023 and belonging to three zones with different nutrient profiles, the meiofaunal communities in Pagasitikos gulf were examined, while their relationship with sediment properties, water chemistry and oceanographic conditions were investigated. Highest meiofaunal densities were observed in the internal gulf (458–1538 ind/10 cm²) near the main urban area, with lowest reported for the upper external gulf (36–594 ind/10 cm²). Two stations showed unusually high ciliate densities (454 and 598 ind/10 cm²) that could not be explained by any of the examined parameters. Highest richness but lowest evenness, Shannon and Simpson indices were reported for the internal gulf, followed by the lower external gulf, while the upper external zone showed lowest values. Multivariate analyses showed that all three nutrient zones are associated with distinct meiofaunal communities, with depth and sand content being the most important factors influencing the meiofaunal communities, while also discussing the potential effect of anthropogenic activities. Total organic carbon did not explain differences in meiofaunal composition, stressing the need for more precise measurements. This study showcases that gulf-specific oceanographic conditions such as water and nutrient stratification and hydrodynamics can play a key role in shaping meiofaunal communities.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50618,"journal":{"name":"Continental Shelf Research","volume":"289 ","pages":"Article 105470"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-04-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143808248","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}