The study, led by researchers from the University of California San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography and San Diego State University, delved into the depths to assess the extent of DDT contamination. Overall, the researchers found a diverse set of halogenated organic compounds (HOCs), including DDT+, in bottom sediments and biota from deep ocean sites . Their findings paint a troubling picture: deep-sea organisms, far removed from the surface, are carrying a toxic burden of DDT-related chemicals.

From the study, “The majority of the DDT+ compounds (87%, n = 13) detected in the sediment and biota were previously detected in [local] birds and marine mammals. This discovery is critical and suggests that DDT+ from deep ocean sediment enters the water column and subsequently the marine food web. DDT pollution in [the Southern California Bight] should be recognized as an ongoing environmental concern requiring further research.” In other words, and even more alarming, there is the possibility that these contaminants are not confined to the depths but could be making their way into species consumed by humans. With mounting evidence of DDT’s resurgence in marine ecosystems, questions arise about the potential risks posed to broader marine life and human populations.

Stack, Margaret E., et al. “Identification of DDT+ in Deep Ocean Sediment and Biota in the Southern California Bight.” Environmental Science & Technology Letters (2024).

The post DDT is a Deep-Sea Toxic Time Capsule first appeared on Deep Sea News.

Here is list of resources for you

• So You Want to Be A Marine Biologist: Deep Sea News Edition by Dr. Miriam Goldstein.
• My previous excellent post So You Want to Be A Deep-Sea Biologist.
• Dr. Danna Staaf on How to Become a Cephalopodiatrist. She focuses on cephalopods, but most of her advice holds true for all fields of marine biology.
• Here’s what I teach my students about finding jobs in marine biology and conservation by shark expert extraordinaire Dr. David Shiffman
• So You Think You Want to be a Marine Biologist by Tania Militello

Have additional resources comment below!

The post You want to be a marine biologist? first appeared on Deep Sea News.

The post How An Ancient Ocean Shaped US History first appeared on Deep Sea News.

Are you a dedicated and innovative researcher looking to contribute to a groundbreaking project that will reshape our understanding of marine ecosystems? I am seeking a motivated graduate student to join a collaborative team focused on the study of body size variations in marine organisms and their impact on biodiversity. Body size is a fundamental parameter that influences various aspects of an organism’s life, including resource utilization, competition, predator-prey interactions, and movement efficiency. Despite its importance, there is a significant knowledge gap regarding body size variations among marine organisms across different geographical locations, environments, and taxonomic scales. This project aims to address this gap by coordinating research efforts to acquire standardized body size measurements for at least 75% of described marine metazoan species and by facilitating global synthetic analyses of marine life’s size structure.

Specifically, I am looking for graduate student to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to acquire standardized body size measurements for marine metazoan species; contribute to the development of a comprehensive and publicly available repository of marine organism body size data; and engage in global synthetic analyses to uncover patterns in marine life’s size structure and its implications for ecosystems.  Do you have experience in marine invertebrate biology, taxonomy, ecology, and data analysis in R an extreme and nerdy love of body size research? Then join us!

Master’s Student to research Deep-Sea Biodiversity

Are you fascinated by the mysteries hidden in the abyss? Do you dream of unraveling the secrets of life thriving in the sediment of the deep sea? Look no further! We invite passionate and ambitious master’s students to join our groundbreaking research on the faunal communities dwelling in the depths of the ocean floor. Explore the uncharted territories of deep-sea ecology by investigating the intricate relationships between macrofauna and their environment. Our research focuses on the impact of organic enrichment, specifically food falls, and biogenic disturbances caused by megafauna on macrofaunal diversity. As a master’s student, you will have the unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research and advance our understanding of the delicate balance that sustains life in these extreme environments. As a master’s student, you will design and conduct experiments to investigate the responses of macrofaunal communities to organic enrichment and biogenic disturbances. Analyze data, contribute to scientific publications, and present your findings at conferences. Do you have a strong background in ecology, marine biology, or marine invertebrates and passion for the deep sea?  Then join us!

McClain Lab

Step into the realm of the McClain Lab and immerse yourself in an awe-inspiring voyage that unravels the enigmas of the ocean. We invite you to join us in pushing the boundaries of science through groundbreaking methodologies and impactful communication strategies. Our research is fueled by three fundamental inquiries that challenge the conventional norms of marine science. Delve into the hidden intricacies of ocean life, explore the far-reaching implications of energy-dependent biological mechanisms on biodiversity and climate responses, and glean profound insights from deep-sea organisms to uncover life’s complexities on Earth and beyond. At the heart of our approach lies a set of guiding principles. Curiosity ignites our innovation, allowing us to embrace science with both creativity and playfulness. We champion courageous progress, fearlessly venturing into uncharted territories to advance scientific understanding. Our lab stands as a testament to inclusivity, dissolving barriers and welcoming diverse perspectives into the fold of exploration. Through disruption, we drive innovation and transform the landscape of academia and science. Collaboration is our cornerstone, fostering an environment where collective empowerment propels both personal growth and the advancement of knowledge. Beyond the lab, our commitment extends to passionate engagement, sharing our scientific revelations to inspire and inform our wider community. If you are seeking a dynamic environment that thrives on innovation, courage, inclusivity, and transformative research, the McClain Lab beckons. Join us in our pursuit of unraveling oceanic mysteries and leave an indelible mark on the frontiers of marine science. Discover more about our lab and the endless possibilities that await by visiting https://craigmcclain.com/.

To apply, please submit the following materials to craig.mcclain@louisiana.edu

• Cover letter detailing your research interests, relevant experience, and motivation for joining my research group.
• Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Informal Transcripts

The post Graduate Student Opportunities in the McClain Lab first appeared on Deep Sea News.

Despite the evident reliance of humanity on the vast global ocean—where a staggering 1 billion individuals rely on it as their primary food source, where 260 million people find employment in marine fisheries, where 80% of global trade is facilitated by sea routes, where 30% of the world’s oil is extracted offshore, and where sectors like wind energy, aquaculture, and mining are rapidly expanding—our understanding of the true human footprint or more accurately wake for the ocean is elusive.

On land, our activities are meticulously mapped with roads, highways, forestry, agriculture, and other industries updated often monthly. Our comprehension of the scale, timing, and specific locations of human activities in the ocean remains notably incomplete. Many marine vessels do not broadcast their locations, not detected by public monitoring systems, and often activities are hidden under a veil of commercial and political reasons.  Even the best mapping of ships for automatic identification system (AIS), important for seagoing navigation, is not required in some countries, vessel sizes, or some vessel classes.  Often, vessels will also turn off their AIS to hid illicit activities.

A new study analyzes 2 terabytes of satellite imagery from 2017-2021 using deep-learning models to identify 67 million ocean targets of interest like offshore oil structures and vessels.  This data was also combined with 53 billion vessel GPS datapoints to reveal whether the vessel was publicly tracked or was “hidden”.   

The takeaways are staggering. By the numbers:

1. On average, 63,000 vessels were operational at any given time.
2. Nearly half of all vessels were dedicated to fishing activities.
3. Around 75% of industrial fishing vessels were absent from public monitoring systems like AIS.
4. Half of all vessel activities took place within just 3% of the ocean.
5. The breakdown of vessel activity was 67% in Asia, 12% in Europe, 7% in North America, 7% in Africa, 4% in South America, and 2% in Australia.
6. Data from AIS lacks accuracy, suggesting equivalent activity levels in Europe and Asia.
7. Most undisclosed fishing activities occurred in the western part of the Korean Peninsula, averaging about 40 vessels per 1000 square kilometers.
8. The two most intensively monitored marine protected areas, the Galapagos and Great Barrier Reef, registered an average of over 5 and 20 vessels per week, respectively.
9. Asia housed the highest concentration (65%) of transport and energy vessels.
10. As of the end of 2021, there were 28,000 offshore structures.
11. The Gulf of Mexico hosted the largest concentration of offshore oil infrastructure, with the USA, Saudi Arabia, and Indonesia collectively accounting for 25% of all structures.
12. Offshore wind projects were primarily situated in Europe (52%) and China (45%).

In essence, the depths of human activity within the vast expanse of our oceans remained largely veiled, obscured by untracked vessels and undisclosed operations, leaving our comprehension incomplete. Yet, through innovative studies leveraging extensive satellite imagery and GPS data, revealing staggering insights into the substantial presence and impact of maritime endeavors, we’re inching closer to unraveling the ocean’s enigmatic tapestry, one dataset at a time.

Paolo, Fernando, et al. “Satellite mapping reveals extensive industrial activity at sea.” Nature 625.7993 (2024): 85-91. PDF Here

The post Mapping the Human Wakeprint first appeared on Deep Sea News.

Among these families, the Eulimids stand out for their highly specialized nature, exclusively thriving as ectoparasites on echinoderms. Most intriguingly, they form a permanent bond with a single host, although certain species might switch hosts during their lifespan. Yet, some have evolved remarkable morphological adaptations, including anatomical reductions, to become endoparasites, particularly within sea cucumbers’ interior realms. If you catch my drift. Notably, their shell morphology varies significantly, with males typically smaller than females due to the demands of their parasitic lifestyle.

Conversely, Epitoniids, while generally considered ectoparasites, exhibit varying degrees of commensalism and predation as well. They exclusively parasitize cnidarians, such as anemones and corals, dwelling in the sediment near their hosts. These crafty creatures employ modified radulae and jaws to nip pieces off their hosts. Meanwhile, the host specificity of aclids remains a murky area within the group.

Adding to this parasitic saga, Cerithiopsidae and Triphoridae feed on sponges, adopting behaviors that could be construed as parasitic. Meanwhile, the Janthinidae, aptly nicknamed violet snails, act as parasites on various pelagic cnidarians, including the Portuguese Man-‘O-War, Porpita, and Velella.

The world of parasitic gastropods is a fascinating, complex web of interactions, where these seemingly inconspicuous creatures have evolved remarkable strategies to thrive within their host ecosystems. Understanding their adaptations not only sheds light on their evolutionary paths but also unveils the intricate connections in the diverse tapestry of marine life.

Photos from:

Dgebuadze, Polina Yu, Yury V. Deart, and Do Huu Quyet. “First record of eulimids on brittle stars from Spratly Islands.” Symbiosis 81.2 (2020): 201-205.

González-Vallejo, Norma Emilia, and Stephanie Amador-Carrillo. “Assessment of Megadenus holothuricola Rosén, 1910 (Eulimidae), an endoparasite of Holothuria mexicana Ludwig, 1875 (Holothuriidae) in the southern Gulf of Mexico and the description a new species.” ZooKeys 1016 (2021): 49.

Takano, Tsuyoshi, Hirofumi Kubo, and Masami Obuchi. “New records of associations between ectoparasitic snails of the genus Mucronalia (Caenogastropoda: Eulimidae) and their ophiuroid hosts from Japan and New Caledonia, with description of a new species.” Plankton and Benthos Research 17.3 (2022): 255-262.

The post Parasites in Paradise: The Strange Case of Underwater Hitchhiking Snails first appeared on Deep Sea News.

After several years of silent depths, I’m thrilled to announce the resurgence of Deep-Sea News! Like a hidden treasure awaiting discovery, this platform dedicated to unraveling the mysteries of our oceans is making a triumphant return.

For half a decade, the waves, and sometimes hurricanes, of life took me on various adventures, but my heart never strayed far from the vast expanse of this digital wonderland. Today, I’m coming back with a writing passion that fueled the inception of Deep-Sea News—a passion for exploring, understanding, and advocating for the wonders beneath the surface.

During this hiatus, the ocean has continued its captivating dance, revealing new revelations and stories. From the darkest trenches to colerful reef, there’s an abundance of discoveries and pressing issues that demand our attention. DSN will be guide through the currents of knowledge, highlighting scientific breakthroughs, and shedding light on the challenges facing our oceans.

Together, let’s embark on a renewed voyage of exploration and education. Expect insightful articles, captivating imagery, and thought-provoking discussions on marine biology, conservation efforts, climate impacts, and the myriad of creatures that call the ocean home.

I invite you to dive back into this journey with me. Share your thoughts, questions, and experiences. Let’s rekindle our collective fascination with the deep blue and work toward preserving its beauty and diversity for generations to come.

Welcome back to Deep-Sea News—a hub of oceanic wonders and a celebration of our planet’s aquatic marvels!

Yours in oceanic discovery,

Dr. M

The post Resurfacing from the Depths: Deep-Sea News Returns! first appeared on Deep Sea News.

You can be part of this discovery and learn about the deep oceans until your heart and soul are content. The course will apply concepts from biology, biochemistry, ecology, and conservation sciences to the study of the deep‐sea. The undergraduate- and graduate-level course (3‐credit) is June 7‐26, 2020 at LUMCON’s DeFelice Marine Center in beautiful Cocodrie, Louisiana. Students will experience aspects of both field and laboratory settings including:

• Working aboard research vessels for both shallow‐ and deep‐water sampling
• Collecting and identifying invertebrates
• Engaging with both historical and modern views of the deep ocean
• Using large databases to test ecological hypotheses
• Utilizing analytical software
• Measuring community structure using diversity metrics
• Managing a project from the generation of hypotheses through to a final product
• Constructing a strong social media campaign to engage general audiences in deep‐sea science

The great news is that the course is relatively inexpensive and there is a lot of scholarship funds available. For more course details, course application, or scholarship application visit https://lumcon.edu/2020-summer-courses/

The post Come Take A Field Deep-Sea Biology Class With Me! first appeared on Deep Sea News.

I’ve been raising the call on twitter, but recently I noticed that the image resolution of the image in question, downloaded from The Ocean Cleanup’s website, has changed. The image I downloaded yesterday was a higher resolution than the image I downloaded this morning. To help people better understand the issue, below I have provided the original high res image from The Ocean Cleanup (note it was not originally a PDF, but that’s the only file format I could export it to that wouldn’t be automatically compressed by WordPress. Happy to email the original jpg to anyone interested).

The Ocean Cleanup’s original high-resolution image as PDF: full_res_ocean_cleanup

The post The Ocean Cleanup and Floating Marine Life first appeared on Deep Sea News.

From the darkness emerges a boot. An old leather, steel-toed, work boot. It shouldn’t be there resting on the seafloor nearly two kilometers deep. I’m speachless. Even knowin this was going to be one of the toughest dives of my career, I’m still not prepared.

Seven years prior in 2010, Marla Valentine and Mark Benfield were the first scientist to visit the deep-sea floor after the Deepwater Horizon accident. On 20 April 2010, and continuing for 87 days, approximately 4 million barrels spilled from the Macondo Wellhead making it the largest accidental marine oil spill in history. Just months after the oil spill, Valentine and Benfield conducted video observations with a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) of the deep-sea impact. Overall, they found a deep-sea floor ravaged by the spill. Much of the diversity was lost and the seafloor littered with the carcasses of pyrosomes, salps, sea cucumbers, sea pens, and glass sponges.

Researchers continued to find severe impacts on deep-sea life. The numerical declines were staggering within the first few months; forams (↓80–93%), copepods (↓64%), meiofauna (↓38%), macrofauna (↓54%) and megafauna (↓40%). One year later, the impacts on diversity were still evident and correlated with increases in total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), and barium in deep-sea sediments. In 2014, PAH was still 15.5 and TPH 11.4 times higher in the impact zone versus the non-impact zone, and the impact zones still exhibited depressed diversity. Continued research on corals found the majority of colonies still had not recovered by 2017. However, studies examining the impacts of the DWH oil spill on most deep-sea life ended in 2014.

This gap in knowledge on the lingering impacts of one of the largest oil spills of all time is why I sit here in this cold, dark, ROV control room staring at a work boot in the abyss. A year prior, I had reached out to Mark Benfield about replicating his ROV methods and locations. I am here seven years after his study beginning to replicate his first video transect.

Within minutes of reaching the seafloor with the ROV, every scientist on the vessel staring at monitors showing live video from remote seafloor knew something was wrong. As Mark Benfield, Clif Nunnally, and I report in a new open-access article, the deep sea was not recovering at the impact site.  The seafloor was unrecognizable from the healthy habitats in the deep Gulf of Mexico, marred by wreckage, physical upheaval and sediments covered in black, oily marine snow.

Near the wreckage and wellhead, many of the animals characteristic of other areas of the deep Gulf of Mexico, including sea cucumbers, Giant Isopods, glass sponges, and whip corals, were absent.  What we observed was a homogenous wasteland, in great contrast to the rich heterogeneity of life seen in a healthy deep sea.

Conspicuously absent were the sessile animals that typically cling to any type of hard structure in an otherwise soft, muddy habitat.  Hard substrate in the deep sea is a valuable commodity but at the Deepwater Horizon site metal and other hard substrates were devoid of typically deep-sea colonizers.

The seafloor at impact site was characterized by high numbers of shrimps and crabs.  Crabs showed clearly visible physical abnormalities and sluggish behavior compared to the healthy crabs we had observed elsewhere.  We believe these crustaceans are drawn to the site because degrading hydrocarbons serve as luring sexual hormone mimics. Once these crustaceans reach the site they may become too unhealthy to leave much like those prehistoric mammals and the Le Brea tarpits.

The ROV dive began with a boot belonging to one of the workers on the Deepwater Horizon rig. The dive ended at the wellhead, now capped with a memorial to those workers who lost their lives. A dive bookended with reminders of the human tragedy of the oil spill. The narrative that unfolded between these was an environmental catastrophe. In an ecosystem that measures longevity in centuries and millennia the impact of 4 million barrels of oil continues to constitutes a crisis of epic proportions.

Valentine, Marla M., and Mark C. Benfield. “Characterization of epibenthic and demersal megafauna at Mississippi Canyon 252 shortly after the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill.” Marine Pollution Bulletin 77.1-2 (2013): 196-209.

McClain, Craig R., Clifton Nunnally, and Mark C. Benfield. “Persistent and substantial impacts of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on deep-sea megafauna.” Royal Society Open Science 6.8 (2019): 191164.

The post The lingering and extreme impacts of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on the deep sea first appeared on Deep Sea News.