Sanctuary for vulnerable Arctic species at the Borealis Mud Volcano

Panieri, Giuliana ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9411-1729; Argentino, Claudio ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2680-4528; Savini, Alessandra ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5818-5947; Ferré, Bénédicte ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1646-9287; Hemmateenejad, Fereshteh ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0005-7366-6465; Eilertsen, Mari H. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7904-3104; Mattingsdal, Rune; Ramalho, Sofia P. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8714-4696; Eidvin, Tor; Youngs, Sarah ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1973-7075; Colson, Beckett Casper; Michel, Anna Pauline Miranda ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9319-0592; Kapit, Jason Alexander ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0007-6171-1024; Swanborn, Denise ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9040-2625; Rogers, Alex D.; Angeles, Ines Barrenechea; Polteau, Stéphane; Kalenitchenko, Dimitri; Buenz, Stefan; Mazzini, Adriano ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0913-8682. 2025 Sanctuary for vulnerable Arctic species at the Borealis Mud Volcano. Nature Communications, 16 (1). 10.1038/s41467-024-55712-x

Before downloading, please read NORA policies.

Preview

Text © The Author(s) 2025 s41467-024-55712-x.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution 4.0. Download (10MB) | Preview

Abstract/Summary

Borealis is a recently discovered submerged mud volcano in the Polar North Atlantic, differing from the numerous methane seepages previously identified in the region. Here we show in situ observations from a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), capturing the release of warm (11.5 °C) Neogene sediments and methane-rich fluids from a gryphon at Borealis. The surrounding seafloor within the mud volcano features extensive carbonate deposits, indicating prolonged diffuse methane migration. Sampling and imagery reveal that Borealis supports unique habitats adapted to low-oxygen conditions near methane seeps. Additionally, the irregularly shaped carbonate structures serve as a natural shelter from bottom trawling and a substratum for sessile fauna and may function as nursery grounds for threatened fish species. This discovery underscores the ecological significance of cold seep ecosystems in the Polar North Atlantic, highlighting their role in biodiversity by serving as refuges for marine species and emphasizing the need for their conservation.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1038/s41467-024-55712-x
ISSN:	2041-1723
Date made live:	26 Feb 2025 14:36 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/538965

Actions (login required)

View Item

Document Downloads

More statistics for this item...