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Little is known about the role of remote and sparsely populated Arctic coastal zones in the microplastic cycle. Distribution of microplastics was studied in the Svalbard fjords in June – July 2022 with the main goal of assessing rivers’ role in the fate of microplastic in Arctic coastal waters. Surface microplastics (0 – 20 cm depth, 500 – 5000 µm size) were sampled with a neuston net in triplicate per study site in parallel with sampling of subsurface microplastics with a pump system (1.5 m depth, 100 – 5000 µm size). The central part of Isfjorden and its several branches covering populated and unpopulated fjords were studied; the sampling was conducted during an intense riverine discharge in all studied sites. Maximum abundance of surface microplastics (71,400 items/km2 or 0.19 iterms/m3, 0.19 mg/m3) was found along the river plume border in the middle of populated Adventfjorden indicating importance of both local sources and surface hydrodynamics in the formation of microplastics accumulation hotspots. All other unpopulated fjords were free of the floating on the sea surface microplastics as river discharge prevented transport of microplastics inside the fjords. The highest concentration of subsurface microplastics was found in the central part of Isfjorden and the lowest – in river plume waters, which also indicates the removal of microplastics from the inner part of fjords during an intensive river discharge. Our results may suggest that Arctic rivers flowing through unpopulated areas bring clean water and thereby reduce level of microplastic pollution in the coastal waters. In contrast to the rest of the world’s ocean, rivers are not the main source of microplastic pollution in the Arctic Ocean.

Global estimates of the supply of dissolved and suspended materials to the ocean, in order to be relevant at either political or ecological scales, belie a finer-scale analysis necessary for understanding specific terrestrial-marine interactions. This is especially true for continental runoff to the marine critical zone of inland fjords and channels, where mechanisms, drivers, and predictions need to be elaborated in the context of changing land use and shifting climate forcing. In fjords in south-western Patagonia, runoff from small coastal and large continental basins (~310 x103 km2), sourced from a diverse geography and wide climatic gradient (

Abstract Marine‐terminating glacier fjords play a central role in the transport of oceanic heat toward ice sheets, regulating their melt. Mixing processes near glacial termini are key to this circulation but remain poorly understood. We present new summer measurements of circulation and mixing near a marine‐terminating glacier with active sub‐glacial discharge. 65% of the fjord's vertical overturning circulation is driven by the buoyant plume, however we newly report intense vertical and horizontal mixing in the plume's horizontal spreading phase, accounting for the remaining 35%. Buoyant plume theory supports 2%–5% of total glacial melt. Thus, most of the heat associated with vertical overturing short‐circuits the glacial front. We find however that turbulence in the horizontal spreading phase redistributes the short‐circuited heat back into the surface waters of the near‐glacial zone. Our findings highlight the need for further research on the complex mixing processes that occur near the glacier terminus.

Due to the Arctic amplification effect, the Svalbard archipelago is an important area for studying ongoing environmental changes. However, its marine ecosystem is extremely complex. In this study, we analyze modern assemblages of dinoflagellate cysts (dinocysts) and benthic foraminifera from surface sediment samples around Svalbard. We use multivariate statistical analyses to examine relationships between environmental conditions (summer and winter sea surface temperature and salinity, sea-ice cover, etc.) and both microfossil groups to evaluate their use as proxies for reconstructions of the marine environment in the region. Our results show that the most important factor controlling the environment around Svalbard is the Atlantic Water which mostly impacts the western coast, but its influence reaches as far as the eastern coast of Nordaustlandet. However, on a local scale, such factors as the sea-ice cover, the presence of tidewater glaciers, or even the morphology and hydrology of fjords become increasingly important. We found that two dinocyst species, cysts of Polarella glacialis and Echinidinium karaense, can be considered regional winter drift ice indicators. The relationships between environmental parameters and benthic foraminiferal assemblages are much more difficult to interpret. Although statistical analysis shows a correlation of benthic foraminiferal species with various environmental parameters, this correlation might be somewhat coincidental and caused by other factors not analyzed in this study. Nevertheless, the use of two complementary microfossil groups as (paleo)environmental indicators can provide a more comprehensive picture of the environmental conditions.

Abstract Greenland's glacial fjords modulate the exchange between the ice sheet and ocean. Subglacial‐discharge‐driven plumes adjacent to glaciers may exert an important influence on fjord water properties, submarine glacier melting and the export of glacially‐modified waters to the shelf. Here we use a numerical plume model in conjunction with observations from proximal to 14 glaciers in northwest Greenland to assess the impact of these plumes on near‐glacier water properties. We find that in late summer, waters emanating from glacial plumes often make up >50% of the fjord water composition at intermediate depths. These plume waters are comprised largely of upwelled Atlantic Water, warming the near‐glacier water profile and likely increasing submarine melting. Our findings demonstrate the key role played by plumes in driving water modification in Greenland's fjords, and the potential for simple models to capture these impacts across a range of settings.

We used ancient DNA (aDNA) extraction methods to sequence museum voucher samples of Oligobrachia webbi, a frenulate siboglinid polychaete described from a northern Norwegian fjord over fifty years ago. Our sequencing results indicate a genetic match with the cryptic seep species, Oligobrachia haakonmosbiensis (99% pairwise identity for 574 bp mtCOI fragments). Due to its similarity with O. webbi, the identity of O. haakonmosbiensis has been a matter of debate since its description, which we have now resolved. Furthermore, our results demonstrate that chemosynthesis-based siboglinids, that constitute the bulk of the biomass at Arctic seeps are not seep specialists. Our data on sediment geochemistry and carbon and nitrogen content reveal reduced conditions in fjords/sounds, similar to those at seep systems. Accumulation and decomposition of both terrestrial and marine organic matter results in the buildup of methane and sulfide that apparently can sustain chemosymbiotic fauna. The occurrence of fjords and by extension, highly reducing habitats, could have led to Arctic chemosymbiotic species being relatively generalist with their habitat, as opposed to being seep or vent specialists. Our stable isotope analyses indicate the incorporation of photosynthetically derived carbon in some individuals, which aligns with experiments conducted on frenulates before the discovery of chemosynthesis that demonstrated their ability to take up organic molecules from the surrounding sediment. Since reduced gases in non-seep environments are ultimately sourced from photosynthetic processes, we suggest that the extreme seasonality of the Arctic has resulted in Arctic chemosymbiotic animals seasonally changing their degree of reliance on chemosynthetic partners. Overall, the role of chemosynthesis in Arctic benthos and marine ecosystems and links to photosynthesis may be complex, and more extensive than currently known.

Abstract Patagonia is an understudied area, especially when it comes to population genomic studies with relevance to fishery management. However, the dynamic and heterogeneous landscape in this area can harbor an important but cryptic genetic population structure. Once such information is revealed, it can be integrated into the management of infrequently investigated species. Eleginops maclovinus is a protandrous hermaphrodite species with economic importance for local communities that are currently managed as a single genetic unit. In this study, we sampled five locations distributed across a salinity cline from Northern Patagonia to investigate the genetic population structure of E. maclovinus. We used restriction site‐associated DNA (RAD) sequencing and outlier tests to obtain neutral and adaptive loci, using FST and GEA approaches. We identified a spatial pattern of structuration with gene flow and spatial selection by environmental association. Neutral and adaptive loci showed two and three genetic groups, respectively. The effective population sizes estimated ranged from 572 (Chepu) to 14,454 (Chaitén) and were influenced more by locality than by salinity cline. We found loci putatively associated with salinity suggesting that salinity may act as a selective driver in E. maclovinus populations. These results suggest a complex interaction between genetic drift, gene flow, and natural selection in this area. Our findings also suggest several evolutionary significant units in this area, and the information should be integrated into the management of this species. We discussed the significance of these results for fishery management and suggest future directions to improve our understanding of how E. maclovinus has adapted to the dynamic waters of Northern Patagonia.

Climate change is rapidly modifying marine fish assemblages in the Arctic. As fish eggs and larvae have a narrower thermal tolerance than nonreproductive adults, their response to increasing temperatures is likely one of the main drivers of these changes. In this study, we described ichthyoplankton assemblages in West Greenland between 62 and 73 °N, during summers 2017–2019, and investigated the relationship between sea surface temperature in the spring and summer and the survival of Arctic cod (Boreogadus saida (Lepechin, 1774)) early life stages over the hatching season. Warm years were associated with partial recruitment failures resulting from thermal stress to the eggs and larvae hatched late in the season. Using past environmental conditions, we forecasted an imminent decline in Arctic cod recruitment in the regions of Uummannaq and Disko Bay. Observations from fjords suggested that glacial meltwater could create a subsurface thermal refuge allowing Arctic cod larvae to survive despite very high summer sea surface temperature (ca. 10 °C). As the Greenland ice sheet is melting at an unprecedented speed, the mechanism underlying the “glacial meltwater summer refuge hypothesis” could curb some of the negative effects of ocean warming on the survival of young Arctic cod in West Greenland and other Arctic fjord systems.

This paper presents a series of 50 geomorphological maps of the seabed of northeastern Baffin Island fiords and cross-shelf troughs, in eastern Arctic Canada. The mapping was produced using swath bathymetry imagery from multiple bathymetry datasets. A total of 24 types of landform were systematically mapped (>55,000 landforms) and reflect processes linked to subglacial, ice-marginal or paraglacial to postglacial environments. The landforms record the transition of the seabed from being covered by a marine-terminating ice sheet to the establishment of postglacial conditions. The landform assemblages allow the distinction of ice-flows orientation and ice-stream pathways along fiords and cross-shelf troughs. The multiple moraines and grounding-zone wedges indicate that the ice margin stabilized during retreat and that the overall deglaciation occurred by steps. These maps provide a framework for future investigations in northeastern Baffin Island fiords and shelf and can also provide a template for future seabed geomorphological studies in Arctic Canada.

Two fjords in West Spitsbergen (Hornsund 77°N and Kongsfjorden 79°N) differ with regard to their exposure towards increasingly warm Atlantic water inflow. Hornsund remains in many respects cooler than Kongsfjorden (on average 2°C SST in summer) and is less influenced by warmer and more saline Atlantic waters. Reported changes in the physical environment (temperature rise, freshwater inflow, salinity drop, turbidity, fast-ice reduction, coastal change) are discussed in the context of biological observations in the pelagic and benthic realms with special reference to krill (Euphausiacea). We conclude that well-documented changes in the physical environment have had little effect on the fjord biota and that both organisms and their ecological functions in the fjords are well adapted to the scale of ongoing change. The observed changes fit the definition of ecosystem maturation, with greater diversity, a more complex food web and dispersed energy flow at the warmer site.

Two high latitude fjords of Spitsbergen (Hornsund 77°N and Kongsfjorden 79°N) are regarded as being highly productive (70 g and 50 gC m−2 year−1) and having organic-rich sediments. Hornsund has more organic matter in its sediments (8%), nearly half of it of terrestrial origin, while most of that in Kongsfjorden (5%) comes from fresh, marine sources (microplankton). Analysis of the carbon sources in both fjords shows that a major difference is the much larger seabird population in Hornsund-dominated with over 100 thousands pairs of plankton feeding little auks in Hornsund versus 2 thousand pairs in Kongsfjorden, and marine food consumption estimated as 5573 tonnes of carbon in Hornsund, versus 3047 tonnes in Kongsfjorden during one month of chick feeding period. Seabird colonies supply rich ornithogenic tundra (595 tonnes of C, as against only 266 tonnes of C in the Kongsfjorden tundra). No much of the terrestrial carbon, flushed out or wind-blown to the fjord, is consumed on the seabed – a state of affairs that is reflected by the low metabolic activity of bacteria and benthos and the lower benthic biomass in Hornsund than in Kongsfjorden.

A new dataset of benthic foraminiferal assemblages from Adventfjorden (tributary fjord of Isfjorden, West Spitsbergen) was compared with the results of a study conducted by Zajączkowski et al. (2010) in Hornsund (West Spitsbergen). According to Nilsen et al. (2016), Atlantic water inflow to the Isfjorden Trough occurs more readily than to anywhere else along the shelf of Spitsbergen; thus, we compared the foraminiferal assemblages of the outwash Adventfjorden fjord, located in the Isfjorden system, with glacial Hornsund, located in southwest Spitsbergen. Despite the juxtaposition of Adventfjorden and Hornsund the data revealed varying impacts of shelf-transformed water (STW) on the benthic foraminiferal assemblages. Outer and central Adventfjorden was dominated by Adercotryma glomerata, Recurvoides turbinata and Spiroplectammina sp., reflecting the presence of STW, while abundant Melonis barleeanus in the central area of the fjord indicated a large flux of unaltered organic matter. Only the head of the fjord was dominated by the glaciomarine taxa Cassidulina reniforme and Elphidium clavatum. Foraminiferal fauna characteristic of STW-influenced environments (i.e., Nonionellina labradorica and R. turbinata) were also observed in outer Hornsund. However, the glacier-proximal taxa E. clavatum and C. reniforme were dominant throughout the fjord, demonstrating the impacts of meltwater and high sedimentation. Therefore, it is likely that in Hornsund, glacial impact is a major environmental factor, which is stronger than the influence of STW.

The specific activity of natural gamma emitters like actinium (228Ac), bismuth (212Bi, 214Bi), lead (212Pb, 214Pb), potassium (40K), radium (224Ra), thallium (208Tl) and artificial radioisotope caesium (137Cs) was measured in 2005 in the surface layer of marine sediments in the northern Svalbard: Wijdefjorden, Woodfjorden, Vestfjorden and Bockfjorden as well as in the freshwater reservoirs in Andre Land. Nonuniform spatial distribution of these radionuclides was found. Sediment sample from Bockfjorden had the highest specific activities of all natural radionuclides. The specific radioactivity of 137Cs was much lower than specific radioactivities of natural radionuclides but there were differences between investigated locations. The distribution of 137Cs is similar to persistent organic pollutants of the lake sediments in the area.

Hornsund and Kongsfjorden are two similar-sized Arctic fjords on the West coast of Spitsbergen. They are influenced by cold coastal Arctic water (Hornsund) and warmer Atlantic water (Kongsfjorden). Environmental conditions affect the timing, quantity, spatial distribution (horizontal and vertical) of spring and summer blooms of protists as well as the taxonomic composition of those assemblages. Here, we compile published data and unpublished own measurement from the past two decades to compare the environmental factors and primary production in two fjord systems. Kongsfjorden is characterized by a deeper euphotic zone, higher biomass and greater proportion of autotrophic species. Hornsund seems to obtain more nutrients due to the extensive seabird colonies and exhibits higher turbidity compared to Kongsfjorden. The annual primary production in the analysed fjords ranges from 48 g C m−2 y−1 in Kongsfjorden to 216 g C m−2 y−1 in Hornsund, with a dominant component of microplankton (90%) followed by macrophytes and microphytobenthos.

We present here an assessment of in situ hyperspectral bio-optical variability in the Vaigat-Disko Bay and Godthabsfjord along the southwest coast of Greenland. The dataset consists of state-of-the-art profiler measurements of hyperspectral apparent and inherent optical properties of water complemented by traditional observations of Secchi disk and Forel Ule scale in the context of ocean color. Water samples were collected and analyzed for concentration of optically active constituents (OACs). Near-surface observations of hydrographic parameters revealed three different water masses in the Bay: meltwater plume, frontal zone, and Atlantic water mass. Underwater spectral light availability reveals three different spectral types. Low salinity, increased temperature, deep euphotic depths, and case-1 water type remote sensing reflectance spectra with tabletop peaks in the 400–500 nm wavelength range characterize the glacial meltwater plume in the Vaigat-Disko Bay. The conservative relationship between salinity and chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) commonly observed in estuarine and shelf seas is weaker in the Godthabsfjord and reverses in the Vaigat-Disko Bay. Efficiency of machine learning techniques such as cluster analysis is tested in delineating water masses in the bay w.r.t. hydrographic and bio-optical parameters. Tests of optical closure yield low root mean square error at longer wavelengths. The study provides strong evidence that despite similar geographic setting, fjord ecosystems exhibit contrasting bio-optical properties which necessitate fjord-specific investigations.

Thirty-two species of echinoderms from epibenthic sledges, dredges, scuba diving, and other samples (in total: 467 samples and c. 20 000 specimens) from fjords and coastal waters off Spitsbergen were analysed between 1996 and 2014. The most numerous group of echinoderms in the coastal waters off Spitsbergen is brittle stars (78% of the total individuals). The echinoderms do not form any clear assemblages according to depth or distance from glacial sedimentation and substrate. Some species prefer hard bottom (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis) or water free from glacial suspensions (Ophiopholis aculeata). In contrast to the species listed above, we also found opportunistic species such as the starfish Urasterias lincki and the brittle star Ophiocten sericeum. These two species are distributed quite uniformly, regardless of the environmental factors. The majority of the species prefer a soft bottom below 200 m.

We describe surface currents in the Porsanger fjord (Porsangerfjorden) located in the European Arctic in the vicinity of the Barents Sea. Our analysis is based on surface current data collected in the summer of 2014 using High Frequency (WERA, Helzel Messtechnik GmbH) radar system. One of our objectives was to separate out the tidal from the nontidal components of the currents and to determine the most important tidal constituents. Tides in the Porsanger fjord are substantial, with tidal range on the order of about 3 m. Tidal analysis attributes to tides about 99% of variance in sea level time series recorded in Honningsvaag. The most important tidal component in sea level data is the M2 component, with amplitude of ~90 cm. The S2 and N2 constituents (amplitude of ~20 cm) also play a significant role in the semidiurnal sea level oscillations. The most important diurnal component is K1 with amplitude of about 8 cm. The most important tidal component in analyzed surface currents records is the M2 component. The second most important component is the S2. Our results indicate that in contrast to sea level, only about 10-30% of variance in surface currents can be attributed to tidal currents. This means that about 70-90% of variance is due to wind-induced and geostrophic currents.

Recent and past retreat of marine-terminating glaciers are broadly consistent with observed ocean warming, yet responses vary significantly within regions experiencing similar ocean conditions. We assess how fjord geometry modulates glacier response to a regional ocean warming on decadal to millennial time scales, by using an idealized, numerical model of fast-flowing glaciers including a crevasse-depth calving criterion. Our simulations show that, given identical climate forcing, grounding line responses can differ by tens of kilometers due to variations in channel width. We identify fjord mouths and embayments as vulnerable geometries, showing that glaciers in these fjords are prone to rapid, irreversible retreat, independent of the presence of a fjord sill. This irreversible retreat has relevance for the potential future recovery of marine ice sheets, if the current anthropogenic warming is reduced, or reversed, as well as for the response of marine ice sheets to past climate states; including the warm Bølling-Allerød interstadial, the Younger Dryas cold reversal and the Little Ice Age.

Hermit crabs are important components of Arctic benthic systems, yet baseline data on their densities and distribution patterns in this rapidly changing region are still scarce. Here we compile results of numerous research expeditions to Svalbard, the Barents Sea and northern Norway that were carried out from 1979 to 2011 by the Institute of Oceanology, Polish Academy of Sciences. The diversity of hermit crabs at the northern edge of their occurrence is very low; in Svalbard waters only one species (Pagurus pubescens) was detected. Another species (P. bernhardus), found in northern mainland Norway, north of the Arctic Circle, is likely to extend its distribution northward as the climate warms. Where the two species co-occur, competition between them probably accounts for the smaller sizes and poorer quality shells used by P. pubescens. The composition of the mollusc shells inhabited by these crabs differs between northern Norway and Svalbard, reflecting local mollusc species pools. Hermit crab densities were significantly higher than previously reported (max. mean 10 ind. m−2), suggesting their increasing level of dominance in benthic communities in the studied areas. The first to report the distribution of hermit crabs among habitats, this study showed that most individuals occurred at shallow depths (5–150 m), away from glacier termini and on hard bedrock rather than on soft substrata.

Early life stages of cephalopods were sampled with zooplankton nets in southern Chile (41°-43°S) during the CIMAR 11 Fiordos cruise, November 2005. A total of 52 individuals were collected, comprising three families (Octopodidae, Sepiolidae, Onychoteuthidae) and four species (Robsonella fontaniana, Enteroctopus megalocyathus, Semirossia patagonica, an undetermined Onychoteuthidae species). Paralarvae of Octopodidae have been previously recorded in northern and southern Chile; however, for Sepiolidae and Onychoteuthidae, this is the first record of early life stages in Chilean waters.Estadios tempranos de cefalópodos fueron obtenidos con redes de zooplancton en el sur de Chile (41°-43°S) durante el crucero CIMAR 11 Fiordos en noviembre de 2005. Un total de cincuenta y dos individuos fueron recolectados, comprendiendo tres familias (Octopodidae, Sepiolidae and Onychoteuthidae) y cuatro especies (Robsonella fontaniana, Enteroctopus megalocyathus, Semirossia patagonica, y una especie indeterminada de Onychoteuthidae). Si bien existen descripciones previas de paralarvas de Octopodidae para el norte y sur de Chile, este trabajo provee el primer registro de estadios tempranos de vida de Sepiolidae y Onychoteuthidae para aguas chilenas.

We analyzed the concentration of dissolved trace metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb) in the water column of Reloncaví Fjord. Sampling was performed during the CIMAR 12 Fiordos cruise in 2006. A total of 36 passive samplers or DGTs (diffusion gradient in thin films) were anchored at four stations along the longitudinal axis of the fjord. The DGTs were deployed at three depths per station and left there for 48 h. The metal contents on each thin film were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. Concentrations were highest in the surface layer at the head of the estuary, which is directly influenced by Petrohué River. Characteristic sequences of the studied metals were defined in the area with the greatest continental influence (Z(5-25m) = Cu >Mn> Fe > Ni >Pb> Cr > Cd > Co) and in the area with a marine or coastal influence (Z(5-25m) = Fe > Cu>Mn> Ni >Pb> Cr > Cd > Co). A similar metal sequence was found in the deepest layer: Z(40-m) = Fe >Mn> Cu >Pb> Ni > Cd > Cr > Co. The passive sampling technique using DGTs to determine dissolved trace metals in the sea water provided robust information on the concentrations of the ten metals analyzed.Se analiza la concentración de metales trazas disueltos (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni y Pb), en la columna de agua del fiordo Reloncaví. El muestreo se realizó durante la campaña CIMAR 12 Fiordos, 2006. Para ello se fondeó en cuatro estaciones y en tres profundidades, un total de 36 muestreadores pasivos o DGT (láminas de gradiente de difusión) a lo largo del eje longitudinal del fiordo, durante 48 h. El contenido de metales en cada lámina fue analizado mediante espectroscopía de emisión atómica con acoplamiento inductivo de plasma. Las mayores concentraciones se observaron en la superficie de la columna de agua, en la cabeza del estuario, directamente influenciada por el río Petrohué. Se definió para el área una secuencia de los metales estudiados característica, para la zona de mayor influencia continental: Z(5-25m) = Cu > Mn > Fe > Ni > Pb > Cr > Cd > Co y para la zona de influencia marina o costera: Z(5-25-m) = Fe > Cu > Mn > Ni > Pb > Cr > Cd > Co, observándose una secuencia semejante para los metales analizados en la capa de mayor profundidad: Z(40 m) = Fe > Mn > Cu > Pb > Ni > Cd > Cr > Co. La técnica de muestreo pasiva, con DGTs, para la determinación de metales traza disueltos en agua de mar, permitió obtener información robusta de las concentraciones de los diez metales analizados.

Se determinó la distribución horizontal de la textura, concentración de materia orgánica, carbono orgánico e inorgánico y nitrógeno orgánico, del sedimento en muestras superficiales, recolectadas entre Puerto Montt y Boca del Guafo, durante los cruceros CIMAR 10 Fiordos (2004), CIMAR 11 Fiordos (2005) y CIMAR 12 Fiordos (2006). La distribución superficial de las características químicas permitió identificar dos zonas: una norte, entre Puerto Montt y el grupo de islas Desertores-Apiao-Quehui-Lemuy con concentraciones, que en general fueron altas (MOT > 5%, C-org > 1,6%, C-inorg >0,4% y N-org > 0,2%), y una sur, entre dicho grupo de islas y la Boca del Guafo con concentraciones, en general, bajas (MOT < 5,0%, C-org < 1,6%, C-inorg < 0,4% y N-org < 0,2%). Esta zonación se atribuyó a condiciones oceanográficas (estuarinas versus oceánicas; aporte de nutrientes, corrientes, mareas, producción planctónica primaria y secundaria), y aporte de material terrígeno de la zona adyacente. El sedimento terrígeno del borde de los ríos continentales Petrohué, Cochamó, Puelo, Reñihue y Yelcho presentó concentraciones altas de MOT > 7,5%, C-org >2,4%, C-inorg >0,4% y N-org >0,2%. La textura de las muestras marinas fue arenosa y limo-arcillosa, siendo la presencia de grava escasa e inferior al 4% en algunas muestras. El sedimento terrígeno del borde de los ríos fue preferentemente arenoso. La procedencia del sedimento (marino versus terrígeno) se infirió sobre la base de los valores de la relación C:N. Este resultó ser, mayoritariamente de origen marino, con la excepción de los fiordos continentales en que la componente terrígena fue importante.The horizontal distribution of the organic matter, organic and inorganic carbon, organic nitrogen content, and surface sediment texture was determined between Puerto Montt and Boca del Guafo using samples collected during the cruises CIMAR 10 Fiordos (2004), CIMAR 11 Fiordos (2005) and CIMAR 12 Fiordos (2006). Two zones were identified: the northern zone (from Puerto Montt to the Desertores-Apiao-Quehui-Lemuy island group) had mostly high concentrations (TOM >5%; C-org >1.6%; C-inorg >0.4% and N-org > 0.2%) the southern zone (from the same island group to Boca del Guafo) had mostly low concentrations (TOM < 5.0%, C-org 7.5%, C-org > 2.4%, C-inorg > 0.4% and N-org > 0.2%. The texture of the marine sediments was mostly sand and silt + clay; gravel was scarce and less than 4% in some samples. The terrigenous sediment from the river edges was mostly sandy. The sediment origins (marine versus terrigenous), as a first approach, were inferred from the values of the C:N ratio. The sediments were mostly marine in origin, except in the continental fjords, where the terrigenous component was important.

Se analiza la distribución y abundancia del ictioplancton de Chile austral (41-45° S) durante noviembre de 2005 en relación a las características oceanógraficas de la columna de agua (temperatura, salinidad y estratificación). Durante el periodo de estudio, se recolectó un total de 44.606 huevos de peces y 2.016 larvas correspondientes a 28 taxa. Los estados tempranos de peces pelágicos pequeños dominaron en las muestras, con densidades de ~ 14.000 huevos 10 m-2 de anchoveta (Engraulis ringens) y > 100 larvas 10 m-2 de clupeidos. Análisis multivariados indicaron la formación de dos grupos de estaciones, uno asociado a la zona de fiordos, de mayor profundidad, con fuertes gradientes verticales de temperatura y salinidad y mayor estratificación, y otro grupo asociado al borde oriental de la isla Chiloé, de menor profundidad y mayor mezcla en la columna de agua. En las zonas de mayor estratificación (Le., mayor frecuencia de Brunt-Váisála, N-2), se encontraron mayores densidades de huevos y larvas de peces pelágicos y mesopelágicos (Strangomera bentincki y Maurolicus parvipinnis). Al comparar esta información con un crucero oceanógrafico llevado a cabo 10 años antes en la misma zona (octubre de 1995), se detectaron cambios en la composición específica de ictioplancton, lo que puede indicar diferencias en las especies de peces marinos que utilizan la zona de fiordos y canales como área de desove y crianza larval.The distribution and abundance of ichthyoplankton from southern Chile (41-45°S) during November 2005 were analyzed, in relation to the oceanographic features of the water column (temperature, salinity, stratification). During the sampling period, 44.606 fish eggs and 2.016 fish larvae were collected, belonging to 28 taxa. Early life stages of small pelagic fishes dominated the plankton samples, with mean densities of ~ 14,000 eggs 10 m-2 of anchovy (Engraulis ringens) and > 100 larvae 10 m-2of clupleids. Multivariate analysis showed the conformation of two groups of stations, one associated to deeper fjord áreas, with strong vertical gradients of temperature and salinity, and higher stratification. The other group was associated to the shallow and well-mixed eastern border of Chiloé Island. In áreas with strong stratification (Le., higher Brunt-Váisála frequency, N²), significant higher densities of pelagic and mesopelagic fish eggs and larvae were collected (Le., Strangomera bentincki, Maurolicus parvipinnis). Comparing these results with an oceanographic cruise carried out 10 years before in the same área (October 1995), changes in the ichthyoplankton composition were detected; this may be caused by potential differences in the marine fish species which utilize fjords and channels of southern Chile as spawning and early nursery zone.

The tip of the South American cone is one of the most interesting Subantarctic areas, both biogeographically and ecologically. Nonetheless, knowledge of the area's biodiversity, in particular that of the subtidal marine habitats, remains poor. Therefore, in 2004, a biodiversity research project was carried out as a part of the cruise Cimar-10 Fjords, organized and supported by the Chilean National Oceanographic Committee (CONA). The results of the subtidal marine mollusk surveys are presented herein. The samples were collected aboard the Agor 60 "Vidal Gormaz" in winter 2004. The study area covered the northern Chilean Patagonia from Seno de Relocanví (41°31'S) to Boca del Guafo (43°49'S), on the continental shelf from 22 to 353 m depth. The Mollusca were collected at 23 sampling sites using an Agassiz trawl. In total, 67 species were recorded: 4% Polyplacophora (Leptochitonidae, Ischnochitonidae), 58% Gastropoda (Lepetidae, Fissurellidae, Trochidae, Turbinidae, Calyptraeidae, Capulidae, Naticidae, Ranellidae, Cerithiopsidae, Epitoniidae, Muricidae, Buccinidae, Columbellidae, Nassariidae, Volutidae, Cancellariidae, Turridae, Pyramidellidae, Acteonidae, Chilinidae), 36% Bivalvia (Nuculidae, Yoldiidae, Malletiidae, Tindariidae, Limopsidae, Phylobryidae, Mytilidae, Pectinidae, Propeamussidae, Lucinidae, Thyasiridae, Neoleptonidae, Carditidae, Condylocardiidae, Veneridae, Tellinidae, Lyonsiidae, Pandoridae, Cuspidariidae), and 1% Scaphopoda (Rhabdidae). Our results show a high proportion of southern (Magellanic) subtidal species; 45 species (67%) are strictly Magellanic or Antarctic and another 16 (24%) were widespread species, with distributions extending to the south of our study area. Only six species (9%) were strictly Peruvian.El extremo sur de Sudamérica representa una de las áreas subantárticas más interesantes desde un punto de vista ecológico y biogeográñco. A pesar de ello, el conocimiento que se tiene sobre la biodiversidad del área, y en particular de los habitats marinos submareales, es relativamente pobre. En el año 2004 se realizó un proyecto de investigación sobre biodiversidad como parte del crucero Fiordos Cimar-10, organizado y financiado por el Comité Oceanógrafico Nacional de Chile (CONA). En este artículo se describen los resultados obtenidos sobre de los moluscos submareales. Las muestras fueron obtenidas en el invierno del 2004, a bordo del buque Agor 60 "Vidal Gormaz". El área de estudio se localizó en el extremo norte de la Patagonia chilena, desde el Seno de Relocanví (41 °31' S) hasta la Boca del Guafo (43°49'S), en la plataforma continental comprendida entre 22 y 353 m de profundidad. Los moluscos fueron recolectados en 23 estaciones de muestreo empleando una rastra Agassiz. Se registró un total de 67 especies, consistentes en 4% Polyplacophora (Leptochitonidae, Ischnochitonidae), 58% Gastropoda (Lepetidae, Fissurellidae, Trochidae, Turbinidae, Calyptraeidae, Capulidae, Naticidae, Ranellidae, Cerithiopsidae, Epitoniidae, Muricidae, Buccinidae, Columbellidae, Nassariidae, Volutidae, Cancellariidae, Turridae, Pyramidellidae, Acteonidae, Chilinidae), 36% Bivalvia (Nuculidae, Yoldiidae, Malletiidae, Tindariidae, Limopsidae, Phylobryidae, Mytilidae, Pectinidae, Propeamussidae, Lucinidae, Thyasiridae, Neoleptonidae, Carditidae, Condylocardiidae, Veneridae, Tellinidae, Lyonsiidae, Pandoridae, Cuspidariidae) y 1% Scaphopoda (Rhabdidae). Nuestros resultados muestran que las especies submareales presentan una elevada proporción con carácter austral (magallámco). Del total de 67 taxa registrados, 45 especies son estrictamente magallámcas o antarticas (67%) y 16 presentan una amplia área de distribución que se extiende al sur del área de estudio (24%). Sólo seis de las especies (9%) son estrictamente de la provincia biogeográfica peruana.

There is accumulating evidence that jellyfish contribute significantly to biological carbon cycling and that their carcasses can have controversial effects on seafloor ecosystems. Moreover, changes in the thermal properties of the ocean, ocean chemistry and direct anthropogenic effects can seriously modify jellyfish populations in surface waters and potentially alter the importance of jellyfish in the biological pump relative to other forms of detritus. However, no studies have ever quantified the flux rate of jellyfish carcasses (jelly-falls) to the seafloor, or quantified how jelly-fall C and N fluxes compare to phytodetrital fluxes. In this study, we documented the seafloor abundance of jelly-falls over a 1-year period in the jellyfish-dominated Lurefjord, western Norway. A total of 9 jelly-falls were documented from 768 seafloor images over the course of the study, equivalent to 0-13.4 mg C m-2 and 0-2.1 mg N m-2 of jellyfish material being deposited in the deep fjord basin. Assuming that jellyfish removal rates and phytodetrital flux rates from nearby fjord environments are similar to Lurefjorden, we estimate that the jellyfish C and N fluxes to the seafloor were 0-72.8 mg C m-2 d-1 and 0-11.2 mg N m-2 d-1 at the time of sampling. In addition, we estimate that the maximum jellyfish carcass flux rates were equivalent to 96 and 160% of the phytodetrital C and N flux that would arrive at the seafloor where the jelly-falls were recorded. These results imply that jelly-falls most likely contribute significantly to detrital C and N fluxes in at least one jellyfish-dominated environment, despite often being recorded in low abundances. If more fjord environments become jellyfish hotspots as a result of water column darkening, the contribution of jellyfish C and N in the biological pump will potentially increase, necessitating the conceptual inclusion of a jelly-pump in future fjord biogeochemical cycling studies.

A total of 439 measurements of downward ultraviolet irradiance in North European coastal waters have been analysed, half of which have been taken from other authors. The depths Z(10%) where the irradiance is reduced to 10% of its surface value vary by one order of magnitude in the open coastal waters, both at wavelengths of 310 nm (0.3–10.4 m) and 380 nm (1.2–13.0 m). In the fjords and estuaries the depth ranges are reduced to 0.08–6.1 m at 310 nm and 0.18–7.7 m at 380 nm. Mixing with saline ocean waters can increase these light penetration depths to more than 10 m, while river water can reduce them to a few centimetres.

Hydrographic features and bottom profiles along the main passages from Paso Ancho in the Straits of Magellan to the Beagle Channel and those of adjacent oceanic waters are examined with regard to water origin and circulation. Sills and shallow entrances likely limited water exchange. Adjacent oceanic waters were warmest in the Atlantic and saltiest in the Pacific sectors. Waters within the inland passages were fresher and cooler than open shelf waters, showing a decreasing salinity gradient between the Beagle Channel and the Straits of Magellan and a subsurface wedge of warmest and saltiest oceanic water underneath a core of cold and brackish water in Brazo Noroeste. Subsurface water masses of the Straits of Magellan and Brazo Noroeste seem to be entrapped. Temperature and density distributions suggest that the inflow of salty and warm Pacific waters takes place through Bahía Cook. Westward and northward toward the Straits of Magellan, these waters may progressively mix with cooler and more brackish waters adjacent to Cordillera de Darwin. In this sector (Canal Brecknock-Canal Cockburn) stratification of the water column was weaker and became zero toward the Straits of Magellan (Seno Magdalena / Paso Ancho). Distribution of water properties was consistent with bathymetry profiles and suggests the following subdivision of microbasins along the Magellan-Beagle passage: 1.- Paso Ancho-Seno Magdalena, 2.- Canal Magdalena-Canal Brecknock, 3.- Canal Ballenero-Brazo Noroeste, 4.- Beagle Channel .