The International Journal of Deep Sea and Marine Ecosystems (IJDSME) publishes its latest research contributions, reviews, and case studies on a quarterly basis. Our current issue features cutting-edge research on marine biodiversity, deep-sea exploration technologies, and sustainable practices for preserving fragile underwater ecosystems.
Featured Articles in the Latest Issue
- Volume 2 (Issue 2) JULY– DECEMBER 2025
Research Articles
The effects of deep-sea mining taking place in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone Benthic Faunal Diversity in the Eastern Pacific Ocean
Vol.2(2); Pages:1-7. Published on October-2025
Abstract
The research simulated an effect of deep-sea mining on benthic faunal diversity on deep seabed within the populace of polymetallic nodules in the Pacific Ocean and Eastern Clippers in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone of the eastern Pacific Ocean. Transect sampling of the remotely operated vehicle (ROV), along with the sediment cores in four experiment sites allowed the researchers to describe 328 macrofaunal taxa and evaluate the level of sediment disturbance, carbon content and oxygen penetration. The outcomes indicated that biodiversity was greatly reduced after the zones were mined, with a Shannon index of 2.38 against the 3.72 in non mined areas. Besides, recovery levels were weak, even two years after mobilization. The paper points out the ecological dangers of long-term deep-sea mining, the necessity of deep-sea mapping of biodiversity baselines and protective measures to be taken before commercial deep-sea mining operations start. The results support the idea that more regulations and mid to long-term monitoring should be implemented in order to preserve the vulnerable deep-sea ecosystems and attenuate the consequences of mining in CCZ and the marine biodiversity.
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Dynamics of submarine Canyons and their potential deep-sea role in carbon sequestration: A case study in the Nazare Canyon, Portugal
Vol.2(2); Pages:8-15. Published on November-2025
Abstract
The Submarine canyons are instrumental in moving the organic matters and sequestering carbon in the deep sea over the long-term. In an attempt to understand sediment carbon fluxes and the hydrodynamics of the canyon, this research evaluated the six-month hydrodynamics and carbon export of the Nazar Canyon, Portugal. The study estimated the flux and burial efficiency of particulate organic carbon (POC) within the canyon system through the use of up-to-date profiling, sediment coring and remote sensing data. Data indicate that episodic turbidity flows were responsible of transporting over 35 per cent of the annual POC transport in two storms alone. Also, burial efficiency within canyon-fed basins was above 48 % reinforcing the significance of submarine canyons as high-efficiency sinks of the carbon. These results indicate the hypothesis is supported that living in active canyon systems result in improved deep-sea carbon sinks and must be considered in blue carbon policy frameworks of the future. This study is important in providing a foundation to the strategies that can be developed to mitigate climate change, by using the ocean carbon reservoir, through a better understanding of the contribution made by the submarine canyons to the carbon cycle.
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Acoustic surveying the activity of Deep-sea Cephalopods in the Southern Indian Ocean: time patterns and environmental feedbacks
Vol.2(2); Pages:16-22. Published on November-2025
Abstract
This paper examines the timing and environmental factors of deep-sea cephalopod presence in the Southern Indian Ocean by examining passive acoustic recorders situated 2, 000 -2, 800 meters beneath the surface. The objective of the study was to identify diel dynamics in cephalopod-related sound signatures and link it to environmental conditions such as temperature, chlorophyll concentration (java surface measure of primary production) and oxygen minimum zone variability. The vertical migration activities were shown by the strong nocturnal peak in the broadband acoustic observations (118 kHz), as determined by the analysis. Acoustic activity had a positive association with cooler water masses and mixing events induced by eddies, meaning that the physical oceanography had a role in the cephalopod behavior. Further, a correlation was found between cephalopod activity and the oxygen minimum zone implying adaptive variability in changing oxygen levels. This experiment will prove the usefulness of passive acoustics in unattended, non-destructive monitoring of deep-sea fauna and the study will bring insight into the ecological consequences of environmental changes as the variability on deep-sea creatures.
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Microplastic penetration and Bioaccumulation in Deep-sea Crustaceans of the Kuril-Kamchatka Trench
Vol.2(2); Pages:23-30. Published on December-2025
Abstract
Microplastic pollution is a new challenge to the marine life and more than ever there is panic over the effects it has on the deep sea organisms. The given study dwelled upon appearance and bioaccumulation of microplastic in deep sea crustaceans that reside in Kuril-Kamchatka Trench, and were taken at depth ranging between 6,500 and 8,000 m. Micro-FTIR spectroscopy was applied to three species of dominant crustaceans with tissues in the guts and gills. There were microplastic particles found in 78 percent of specimens, the most prevalent ones being polyester and polyethylene. The average of microplastic particles per gram of wet tissue was 2.4 with the bioaccumulation levels positively correlated with the depth. These results directly show microplastic contamination of hadal food webs and reveal the extreme depth of plastic pollution making its way to the deepest corners of the ocean. The research indicates that international efforts are needed to limit the introduction of pollutants into deep-sea environments and endangering of biodiversity through environmental pollutants.
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Cold Seeps as Biodiversity Hotspots A comparative study of megafaunal communities in the Gulf of Mexico and the West African Margin
Vol.2(2); Pages:31-38. Published on December-2025
Abstract
Cold seep Cold seeps are habitats that are permanently stable in the deep ocean, offering special ecological niches to megafaunal assemblages maintained by chemosynthetic productivity. The comparison in this study is based on the outcome of the biodiversity, trophic structures and community composition within the cold seep habitats in the northern Gulf of Mexico and West Africa in the margin. By means of ROV-based transects, video- and specimen data were gathered over multiple (six) seep sites between 2,200 meter and 3,100 m. The findings demonstrated that the West African seeps had a greater species richness and endemism and the Bathymodiolus-dominated communities were more diverse in terms of their trophic relationships (stable isotope analysis 13C and 15 N). These differences indicate that biogeographic isolation and localized chemoautotrophic highs plays an important role in determining ecological difference in these environments. The research used, among other things, provides an insight into deep-sea connectivity and how such environments that are rare and endangered, need to be conserved, given the implications of hydrocarbon exploration.
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