Scientific news

An international team led by the Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM-CSIC, Barcelona) demonstrate the growth of a young fault in the Alboran Sea, called the Al-Idrissi Fault System, source of the magnitude (Mw) 6.4 earthquake, which affected Al-Hoceima, Melilla and the south of the Iberian Peninsula in January 2016. The study, published in Nature Communications, shows the generation and growth of an active fault system.

A study with researchers from CEAB and ICM, both centres of CSIC, reveals that marine sponges, the oldest group of animals on the planet, contribute significantly to one of the fundamental biogeochemical cycles of the ocean: the silicon cycle. Until now, it was believed that the main sinks of silicon occurred through the burial of diatoms, but according to the new results, published in Nature Geosciences, skeletons of marine sponges are also important sinks of silicon in the global ocean.

The Institute of Marine Sciences (ICM-CSIC) leads a study, published in Global Change Biology, which proposes a conceptual framework and classification for ocean acidification refugia (OAR) for the first time. OARs are specific locations where ocean acidification impacts could be less intense, protecting biodiversity.

Marine bacteria that capture light and transform it into biochemical energy are not a rarity, as previously thought. A work published this week in the journal Science Advances, with the participation of the Institute of Marine Sciences (ICM-CSIC), shows that sunlight, the main source of energy sustaining marine ecosystems, is mainly captured by bacteria, and not by algae and cyanobacteria (also called blue-green algae), as previously thought.

Fisheries represent one of the main economic sectors affected by marine litter. The amount of garbage trapped in the networks can also damage ships and rigging. A study by the Institute of Marine Sciences has evaluated the amount and type of marine litter in the shallow waters of two fishing areas, the Delta del Ebro (Tarragona) and Vilanova i la Geltrú (Barcelona). Both areas are part of the Natura 2000 network.

On Thursday, July 11th, the Institute of Marine Sciences (ICM-CSIC) hosted a meeting between a Chinese delegation, led by Prof. Chunli BAI, President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), and CSIC, to sign a collaboration agreement to promote remote sensing research in China and Spain.