Articles | Volume 21, issue 10
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-2547-2024
© Author(s) 2024. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-2547-2024
© Author(s) 2024. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
28 May 2024
Research article |
| 28 May 2024
| 28 May 2024
Quantification and mitigation of bottom-trawling impacts on sedimentary organic carbon stocks in the North Sea
Institute of Coastal Systems, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Max-Planck-Strasse 1, 21502 Geesthacht, Germany
Wenyan Zhang
Institute of Coastal Systems, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Max-Planck-Strasse 1, 21502 Geesthacht, Germany
Nils Christiansen
Institute of Coastal Systems, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Max-Planck-Strasse 1, 21502 Geesthacht, Germany
Jan Kossack
Institute of Coastal Systems, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Max-Planck-Strasse 1, 21502 Geesthacht, Germany
Ute Daewel
Institute of Coastal Systems, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Max-Planck-Strasse 1, 21502 Geesthacht, Germany
Corinna Schrum
Institute of Coastal Systems, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Max-Planck-Strasse 1, 21502 Geesthacht, Germany
Institute of Oceanography, Center for Earth System Research and Sustainability, Universität Hamburg, Bundesstrasse 53, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
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Alberto Elizalde, Naveed Akhtar, Beate Geyer, and Corinna Schrum
Wind Energ. Sci., 11, 1077–1095, https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-11-1077-2026, https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-11-1077-2026, 2026
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As green energy demand rises, offshore wind farms in the North Sea are expanding. This study examines the uncertainties in power output predictions, considering turbine arrangements and different atmospheric situations. Using an advanced climate model, we found that power output can vary by up to 10 % due to these reasons. The findings are vital for accurate economic and environmental planning. This research will contribute to a better understanding of the potential of offshore wind energy.
Veronika Mohr, Corinna Schrum, and Wenyan Zhang
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-616, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-616, 2026
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Intertidal seagrass meadows are often considered important blue carbon ecosystems, but their role in highly dynamic environments is uncertain. Using a coupled hydrodynamic–ecosystem model, we quantify carbon uptake, burial, and export in a Wadden Sea tidal basin. We show that sequestration rates are low, depend on meadow persistence, and that a substantial fraction of seagrass carbon is redistributed within the basin and to salt marshes.
David J. Amptmeijer, Elena Mikheeva, Ute Daewel, Johannes Bieser, and Corinna Schrum
Biogeosciences, 22, 7929–7960, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-7929-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-7929-2025, 2025
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We integrate bioaccumulation and biotic Hg transformations into a coupled ecosystem–mercury model to assess their effect on marine Hg cycling. Bioaccumulation increases methylmercury levels, especially in productive coastal waters, and alters Hg exchange between the Baltic and North Seas. These results highlight strong ecosystem feedbacks on marine Hg dynamics.
David J. Amptmeijer, Andrea Padilla, Sofia Modesti, Corinna Schrum, and Johannes Bieser
Biogeosciences, 22, 7483–7503, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-7483-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-7483-2025, 2025
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This paper combines a literature review with a 1D Hg speciation and bioaccumulation model to assess how feeding strategy affects inorganic and methylmercury at the base of marine food webs. We find filter feeders have higher MeHg, while suspension feeders have very low MeHg, highlighting feeding strategy as a key driver of MeHg variability.
David Johannes Amptmeijer, Ulrike Hanz, Corinna Schrum, and Johannes Bieser
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-5377, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-5377, 2025
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Sponges have unusually low methylmercury (MeHg) and high inorganic mercury (iHg) bioaccumulation compared to other macrobenthos. This pattern has been attributed to MeHg demethylation by symbiotic bacteria. Our model demonstrates an alternative explanation that dissolved organic matter (DOM) consumption by sponges can increase iHg and decrease MeHg levels. Low MeHg in sponges at the food web base may further limit MeHg bioaccumulation in higher trophic levels.
Yuxin Lin, Zhiqiang Liu, Feng Zhou, Qicheng Meng, and Wenyan Zhang
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-5105, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-5105, 2025
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Marine heatwaves, periods of unusually warm sea temperatures, are increasing worldwide. Using observed sea surface temperature data and statistical clustering, this study shows that the North Sea contains two regions with different seasonal responses to climate patterns. Winter heatwaves in the south are driven by regional circulation, while summer events in the north reflect Atlantic and Pacific influences. These insights can help improve regional forecasting.
Feifei Liu, Ute Daewel, Jan Kossack, Kubilay Timur Demir, Helmuth Thomas, and Corinna Schrum
Biogeosciences, 22, 3699–3719, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-3699-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-3699-2025, 2025
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Ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) boosts oceanic CO₂ absorption, offering a climate solution. Using a regional model, we examined OAE in the North Sea, revealing that shallow coastal areas achieve higher CO₂ uptake than offshore where alkalinity is more susceptible to deep-ocean loss. Long-term carbon storage is limited, and pH shifts vary by location. Our findings guide OAE deployment to optimize carbon removal while minimizing ecological effects, supporting global climate mitigation efforts.
Kubilay Timur Demir, Moritz Mathis, Jan Kossack, Feifei Liu, Ute Daewel, Christoph Stegert, Helmuth Thomas, and Corinna Schrum
Biogeosciences, 22, 2569–2599, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-2569-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-2569-2025, 2025
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This study examines how variations in the ratios of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus in organic matter affect carbon cycling in the northwest European shelf seas. Traditional models with fixed ratios tend to underestimate biological carbon uptake. By integrating variable ratios into a regional model, we find that carbon dioxide uptake increases by 9 %–31 %. These results highlight the need to include variable ratios for accurate assessments of regional and global carbon cycles.
Hoa Nguyen, Ute Daewel, Neil Banas, and Corinna Schrum
Geosci. Model Dev., 18, 2961–2982, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-2961-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-2961-2025, 2025
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Parameterization is key in modeling to reproduce observations well but is often done manually. This study presents a particle-swarm-optimizer-based toolbox for marine ecosystem models, compatible with the Framework for Aquatic Biogeochemical Models, thus enhancing its reusability. Applied to the Sylt ecosystem, the toolbox effectively (1) identified multiple parameter sets that matched observations well, providing different insights into ecosystem dynamics, and (2) optimized model complexity.
Jakub Miluch, Wenyan Zhang, Jan Harff, Andreas Groh, Peter Arlinghaus, and Celine Denker
Earth Syst. Dynam., 16, 585–605, https://doi.org/10.5194/esd-16-585-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/esd-16-585-2025, 2025
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We present a high-resolution paleogeographic reconstruction of the Baltic Sea for the Holocene period by combining eustatic sea-level change, glacio-isostatic movement, and sediment dynamics. In the northeastern part, morphological change is dominated by regression caused by post-glacial rebound that outpaces the eustatic sea level rise, whereas a transgression, together with active sediment erosion/deposition, constantly shapes the coastal morphology in the southeastern part.
Jialing Yao, Zhi Chen, Jianzhong Ge, and Wenyan Zhang
Biogeosciences, 21, 5435–5455, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-5435-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-5435-2024, 2024
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The transformation of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in estuaries is vital for coastal carbon cycling. We studied source-to-sink pathways of DOC in the Changjiang Estuary using a physics–biogeochemistry model. Results showed a transition of DOC from a sink to a source in the plume area during summer, with a transition from terrestrial-dominant to marine-dominant DOC. Terrigenous and marine DOC exports account for about 31 % and 69 %, respectively.
Peter Arlinghaus, Corinna Schrum, Ingrid Kröncke, and Wenyan Zhang
Earth Surf. Dynam., 12, 537–558, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-537-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-537-2024, 2024
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Benthos is recognized to strongly influence sediment stability, deposition, and erosion. This is well studied on small scales, but large-scale impact on morphological change is largely unknown. We quantify the large-scale impact of benthos by modeling the evolution of a tidal basin. Results indicate a profound impact of benthos by redistributing sediments on large scales. As confirmed by measurements, including benthos significantly improves model results compared to an abiotic scenario.
Philipp Heinrich, Stefan Hagemann, Ralf Weisse, Corinna Schrum, Ute Daewel, and Lidia Gaslikova
Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci., 23, 1967–1985, https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-23-1967-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-23-1967-2023, 2023
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High seawater levels co-occurring with high river discharges have the potential to cause destructive flooding. For the past decades, the number of such compound events was larger than expected by pure chance for most of the west-facing coasts in Europe. Additionally rivers with smaller catchments showed higher numbers. In most cases, such events were associated with a large-scale weather pattern characterized by westerly winds and strong rainfall.
Johannes Bieser, David J. Amptmeijer, Ute Daewel, Joachim Kuss, Anne L. Soerensen, and Corinna Schrum
Geosci. Model Dev., 16, 2649–2688, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-16-2649-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-16-2649-2023, 2023
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MERCY is a 3D model to study mercury (Hg) cycling in the ocean. Hg is a highly harmful pollutant regulated by the UN Minamata Convention on Mercury due to widespread human emissions. These emissions eventually reach the oceans, where Hg transforms into the even more toxic and bioaccumulative pollutant methylmercury. MERCY predicts the fate of Hg in the ocean and its buildup in the food chain. It is the first model to consider Hg accumulation in fish, a major source of Hg exposure for humans.
Veli Çağlar Yumruktepe, Annette Samuelsen, and Ute Daewel
Geosci. Model Dev., 15, 3901–3921, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-15-3901-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-15-3901-2022, 2022
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We describe the coupled bio-physical model ECOSMO II(CHL), which is used for regional configurations for the North Atlantic and the Arctic hind-casting and operational purposes. The model is consistent with the large-scale climatological nutrient settings and is capable of representing regional and seasonal changes, and model primary production agrees with previous measurements. For the users of this model, this paper provides the underlying science, model evaluation and its development.
H. E. Markus Meier, Madline Kniebusch, Christian Dieterich, Matthias Gröger, Eduardo Zorita, Ragnar Elmgren, Kai Myrberg, Markus P. Ahola, Alena Bartosova, Erik Bonsdorff, Florian Börgel, Rene Capell, Ida Carlén, Thomas Carlund, Jacob Carstensen, Ole B. Christensen, Volker Dierschke, Claudia Frauen, Morten Frederiksen, Elie Gaget, Anders Galatius, Jari J. Haapala, Antti Halkka, Gustaf Hugelius, Birgit Hünicke, Jaak Jaagus, Mart Jüssi, Jukka Käyhkö, Nina Kirchner, Erik Kjellström, Karol Kulinski, Andreas Lehmann, Göran Lindström, Wilhelm May, Paul A. Miller, Volker Mohrholz, Bärbel Müller-Karulis, Diego Pavón-Jordán, Markus Quante, Marcus Reckermann, Anna Rutgersson, Oleg P. Savchuk, Martin Stendel, Laura Tuomi, Markku Viitasalo, Ralf Weisse, and Wenyan Zhang
Earth Syst. Dynam., 13, 457–593, https://doi.org/10.5194/esd-13-457-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/esd-13-457-2022, 2022
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Based on the Baltic Earth Assessment Reports of this thematic issue in Earth System Dynamics and recent peer-reviewed literature, current knowledge about the effects of global warming on past and future changes in the climate of the Baltic Sea region is summarised and assessed. The study is an update of the Second Assessment of Climate Change (BACC II) published in 2015 and focuses on the atmosphere, land, cryosphere, ocean, sediments, and the terrestrial and marine biosphere.
Ralf Weisse, Inga Dailidienė, Birgit Hünicke, Kimmo Kahma, Kristine Madsen, Anders Omstedt, Kevin Parnell, Tilo Schöne, Tarmo Soomere, Wenyan Zhang, and Eduardo Zorita
Earth Syst. Dynam., 12, 871–898, https://doi.org/10.5194/esd-12-871-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/esd-12-871-2021, 2021
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The study is part of the thematic Baltic Earth Assessment Reports – a series of review papers summarizing the knowledge around major Baltic Earth science topics. It concentrates on sea level dynamics and coastal erosion (its variability and change). Many of the driving processes are relevant in the Baltic Sea. Contributions vary over short distances and across timescales. Progress and research gaps are described in both understanding details in the region and in extending general concepts.
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Short summary
Seafloor sediments store a large amount of carbon, helping to naturally regulate Earth's climate. If disturbed, some sediment particles can turn into CO2, but this effect is not well understood. Using computer simulations, we found that bottom-contacting fishing gears release about 1 million tons of CO2 per year in the North Sea, one of the most heavily fished regions globally. We show how protecting certain areas could reduce these emissions while also benefitting seafloor-living animals.
Seafloor sediments store a large amount of carbon, helping to naturally regulate Earth's...
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