Articles | Volume 22, issue 21
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-6727-2025
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-6727-2025
Research article
 | 
13 Nov 2025
Research article |  | 13 Nov 2025

Reduction of carbon, alkalinity and nutrient fluxes in the southern Baltic Sea caused by dragging of otter trawl nets across the seafloor

Pankan Linsy, Stefan Sommer, Jens Kallmeyer, Simone Bernsee, Florian Scholz, Habeeb Thanveer Kalapurakkal, and Andrew W. Dale

Model code and software

A model for the impact of bottom trawling on benthic biogeochemistry A. Dale https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17578367

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Short summary
Bottom trawling is a fishing method that disturbs the seafloor and affects marine ecosystems. This study conducted experimental trawling and monitored biogeochemical changes over three weeks. Results showed reduced nutrient and alkalinity fluxes, decreased benthic carbon respiration, and disrupted biogeochemical processes. While the decline in alkalinity had only a minor effect on atmospheric CO2, the study highlights the lasting ecological impacts of bottom trawling.
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