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Iron is an essential nutrient that regulates productivity in ~30% of the ocean. Compared with deep (>2000 meter) hydrothermal activity at mid-ocean ridges that provide iron to the ocean’s interior, shallow (<500 meter) hydrothermal fluids are likely to influence the surface’s ecosystem. However, their effect is unknown. In this work, we show that fluids emitted along the Tonga volcanic arc (South Pacific) have a substantial impact on iron concentrations in the photic layer through vertical diffusion. This enrichment stimulates biological activity, resulting in an extensive patch of chlorophyll (360,000 square kilometers). Diazotroph activity is two to eight times higher and carbon export fluxes are two to three times higher in iron-enriched waters than in adjacent unfertilized waters. Such findings reveal a previously undescribed mechanism of natural iron fertilization in the ocean that fuels regional hotspot sinks for atmospheric CO2.

A few thousand (2612) seeps are releasing microbial methane bubbles from the seafloor at the Aquitaine Shelf edge (Bay of Biscay) at shallow water depths (140‐220 m). This methane contributes to the formation of meter‐scale subcircular carbonate structures, which are (sub‐)outcropping over 375 km2. Based on in situ flow rate measurements and acoustic data, and assuming steady and continuous fluxes over time, the methane entering the water column is estimated to 144 Mg/yr. Microbial methane circulation has been on‐going for at least a few thousand years. This discovery highlights the importance of microbial methane generation, disconnected from deep thermogenic sources and gas hydrates, at continental shelves. The shelf edge may be viewed as a focus area for methane circulation and release and related diagenesis, all having an impact on the shaping of continental shelves and potentially on the oceanic and atmospheric carbon budget. Plain Language Summary At the Aquitaine Shelf of the Bay of Biscay (Northeast Atlantic Ocean), the recent acoustic, chemical, and visual investigations of microbial methane release at the seafloor have led to the discovery of a vast fluid system. This methane escapes as bubbles from the seafloor into the seawater at 2612 sites, all located at shallow water depths (140‐220 m) along the edge of the continental shelf. Methane‐derived authigenic carbonates that are by‐products of gas seepage cover the (sub‐)seafloor over a large area of 375 km2. These carbonates form subcircular meter‐scale pavements and mounds, less than 2 m in height above the surrounding seafloor. Based on the growth rate of authigenic carbonates, it can be inferred that methane circulation has occurred for at least a few thousand years. The amount of methane released from the Aquitaine Shelf seafloor into the water column, estimated at 144 t/yr, questions the fate of the methane in the ocean and its possible passage to the atmosphere with therefore consequent potential con

The Sea of Marmara hosts part of the North Anatolian Fault as an active submarine strike-slip fault. This area has suffered numerous earthquakes and presents a major seismic risk. Although the Sea of Marmara has been studied for many years, the link between geological morphostructures, the nature of fluids and biological communities is still rarely described. During the Marsite cruise (November 2014), dives with Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) VICTOR 6000 focused on detailed seafloor explorations of four different areas: the Central and Western highs and the Tekirdağ and Çinarcik basins. Based on 130 h of in situ videos, high-resolution seafloor mapping of seeps was conducted, emphasizing their significant geological and biological diversity from one seeping site to another, from one basin/high to another. Gas bubbles (CH4, CO2), shimmering water (brine, marine and fresh water) and oil, escape from the seafloor into the water column with low to strong fluxes. Black patches of reduced sediments, authigenic carbonate crusts and chimneys compose the seep environments with various types of bacterial mats and chemosynthetic fauna. Several venting sites discovered during previous cruises are still active 7–12 years later. The seeps are mostly, but not only, focalized along the Main Marmara Fault (MMF), at the southern border of the Tekirdağ Basin and along the Western High. Fluid emission is also occurring at secondary faults and at their intersection with the MMF. Our study emphasizes the location of seeps at the foot of slopes, gully outlets and crossroads. Sedimentary features, such as mass wastings, stratigraphic discontinuities or canyons, also interact with fluid emissions. The observed fauna is dominated by Bathymodiolinae, Vesicomyidae, Lucinidae-like empty shells and tubiculous worms resembling Ampharetidae polychatea. Most of the symbiont-bearing taxa encountered and previously sampled in the Marmara Sea, are characterized by thiotrophic symbioses. Vesicomyids a

A comprehensive characterization of the gas hydrate system offshore the western Black Sea was performed through an integrated analysis of geophysical data. We detected the Bottom Simulating Reflector (BSR), which marks, in this area, the base of gas hydrate stability. The observed BSR depth does not fit the theoretical steady-state base of gas hydrate stability zone (BGHSZ). We show that the disparity between the BSR and predicted BGHSZ is the result of a transient state of the hydrate system due to the ongoing re-equilibrium since the Last Glacial Maximum. When gas hydrates are brought outside the stability zone due to changes in temperature and sea level, their dissociation generates an increase in interstitial pore pressure. This process is favorable to the re-crystallization of gas hydrates and delays the upward migration of the hydrate stability zone explaining the anomalously deep BSR. The BSR depth, which is commonly used to derive geothermal gradient values by assuming steady state conditions, is used here to derive the maximum excess pore pressure at the base of the gas hydrate stability zone. Derived excess pore pressure values of 1-2 MPa are probably the result of the low permeability of hydrate-bearing sediments. Higher pore pressure values derived at the location of a fault system could cause hydro-fracturing enabling the free gas to cross the gas hydrate stability zone and emerge at the seafloor, forming the flares observed in close vicinity to where the shallow gas hydrates were sampled.

Understanding micro-seismicity is a critical question for earthquake hazard assessment. Since the devastating earthquakes of Izmit and Duzce in 1999, the seismicity along the submerged section of North Anatolian Fault within the Sea of Marmara (comprising the “Istanbul seismic gap”) has been extensively studied in order to infer its mechanical behaviour (creeping vs locked). So far, the seismicity has been interpreted only in terms of being tectonic-driven, although the Main Marmara Fault (MMF) is known to strike across multiple hydrocarbon gas sources. Here, we show that a large number of the aftershocks that followed the M 5.1 earthquake of July, 25th 2011 in the western Sea of Marmara, occurred within a zone of gas overpressuring in the 1.5–5 km depth range, from where pressurized gas is expected to migrate along the MMF, up to the surface sediment layers. Hence, gas-related processes should also be considered for a complete interpretation of the micro-seismicity (~M < 3) within the Istanbul offshore domain.

The study area is located at the transition between the northern end of the Tonga Trench and the North Fiji fracture zone, where tectonic movements are reputed to be the fastest in the world. To the southeast of Futuna Island, a broad area of volcanism occurs within a region characterized by a change in the tectonic fabric between a NE-SW oriented volcanic graben and the N-S oriented Alofi ridge. In 2010, the active volcano Kulo Lasi, which represents the most recent volcanic episode in the Futuna area, was discovered in the center of this extensive volcanic zone. Kulo Lasi is a 20 km diameter shield volcano that rises 400 m above the seafloor. It is composed of basaltic to trachy-andesitic lava with no obvious geochemical affinity with the Tonga subduction that occurs 500 km to the east. The central caldera is 5 km in diameter and 300 m deep and is located at a water depth of 1500 m. Diving operations with the submersible Nautile and high-resolution AUV mapping, have revealed the presence of numerous active and inactive hydrothermal fields on the floor and the walls of the caldera. Four tectono-volcanic stages can be distinguished at Kulo Lasi caldera. In stage 1, the shield volcano is built. Annular reverse faults develop at the summit and control circulation of water/rock-dominated hydrothermal fluids and high-temperature alteration of rocks along the nascent normal faults. Mixing of hydrothermal fluids with seawater is favored along normal superficial faults, leading to the formation of low-temperature Fe/Mn mineralization at the summit of the volcano. During stage 2, the caldera collapse, gradually revealing outcrops of the altered and mineralized zones formed during Stage 1. As the magma chamber cools and collapses, less heat is available. As a result, medium to low-temperature (<100 °C) Fe/Si deposits form on the floor of the caldera. In stage 3, refilling and ascent of the magma chamber at depth promote the uplift of a central resurgent dome devoid of recent

Insights into the factors controlling fluid circulation through the crust and the nature of fluid venting at the seafloor are first steps in understanding their effect on ocean properties and climate change. New data on the seafloor morphology, sub-surface sedimentary stratification, and water column of the sedimented Southern Trough hydrothermal field (Guaymas basin) were acquired during the BIG cruise in 2010. These data provide accurate and high-resolution information on the geological context of the vents, on the distribution of acoustic anomalies in the water column, and on the possible nature of the fluid generating these echoes. More than 40 hydrothermal edifices were observed. The southern zone of the study area hosts hydrothermal sites that differ from the northern area. The southern vents are located inside or at the edge of small sub-circular depressions and the relationship between active edifices and collapsed areas involves different steps in the continous hydrothermal setting. Sub-bottom data show surface and sub-surface events, with some reflection layers possibly indicating subsurface hydrothermal precipitates or lithification with an estimated age of approximately 10 000 to 20 000 years. Based on the position and maximum altitude of the acoustic anomalies above the seafloor, two types of fluid emission echoes are distinguished: 1) anomalies reaching a maximal altitude of ¡«350m above the seafloor and seen both at the northern and southern fields and 2) strong, narrow and straight anomalies reaching 1334 or 1702m above the seafloor that are only present in the southern hydrothermal fields of the studied area.We suggest that there are two types of echoes reflecting different fluid escapes based on the physical conditions of fluid venting and degassing and their relationship to geologic features: hydrothermal fluids or hydrothermal fluid mixed with hydrocarbon gas, oil or condensates rising through the water column. The collapsed depressions observed, La connaissance des facteurs contrôlant la migration des fluides dans la lithosphère et leur nature sur le fond de la mer est indispensable à la compréhension de leurs effets sur l’océan et le changement climatique. La campagne BIG, réalisée en 2010 sur le champ hydrothermal de la ride de Southern Trough (bassin de Guaymas), a permis l’acquisition de nouvelles données sur la morphologie des zones de sorties hydrothermales, la stratification de subsurface à proximité de ces zones et la nature des échos acoustiques enregistrés dans la colonne d’eau. Ces données nous permettent de préciser la nature du contexte géologique au niveau des sorties et, aidés de la répartition des échos dans la colonne d’eau, elles nous renseignent également sur la possible nature des fluides associés à ces sorties. Plus de 40 édifices hydrothermaux sont observés dans la zone d’étude montrant des différences morphologiques entre les sites localisés dans le nord et ceux présents dans le sud où ils se situent à l’intérieur ou en bordure de petites dépressions sub-circulaires bien marquées dans la morphologie. Les relations qui existent entre les édifices hydrothermaux et les structures effondrées semblent impliquer plusieurs stades de formation. Les données du sondeur de sédiment porté par l’AUV montrent des réflecteurs en subsurface, indiquant la présence de structures hydrothermales enfouies d’un âge de 10 000 à 20 000 ans, témoins des étapes de lithification hydrothermale. L’étude des anomalies acoustiques dans la colonne d’eau et de leur hauteur maximale au-dessus du fond révèlent deux types d’anomalies : des échos diffus ne dépassant pas une altitude de 350 m au-dessus du fond et, uniquement dans le sud, des échos étroits, plus marqués, atteignant 1334 et 1702 m au-dessus du fond. En regard des conditions physiques de stabilité des fluides et en lien avec les structures géologiques observées dans la zone, nous proposons que ces deux types d’échos représentent différents types de fluides

The Sea of Marmara is traversed by the North Anatolian Fault system and also presents abundant emission sites of methane gas into the water column. In order to assess the spatial relationship between gas emissions and active faults, the distribution of distances between gas emission sites and the nearest fault is calculated and compared with the distribution of distances between a uniform random distribution of points (Poisson process representing the null hypothesis of an absence of relationship between gas emissions and faults) and the nearest fault. Interestingly, the distance distribution for the Poisson process is nearly exponential, indicating that the fault map does not have a characteristic scale other than that representing the intensity of the fault network. The distance distribution for the observed gas emissions is significantly narrower than that arising from the Poisson process, with a Kolmogorov distance of 0.25±0.02. The crossing point between the two distributions defines the characteristic half-width of the swath of gas emission sites around the mapped active faults. For the whole Sea of Marmara data set a characteristic half-width of 900–1000 m is found which matches the half-width of the seafloor deformation zone observed around the main active fault. When the same analysis is applied to zones covering the Western High and the Central High it is found that the swath of gas emissions is wider on the Central High (2 km half-width), and not clearly related to the seafloor deformation zone there. This difference is put in perspective with recent work showing that creep is occurring on the western segment of the Main Marmara Fault (this also causing microseismicity) while the central Istanbul-Silivri segment may have remained locked since the 1766 magnitude 7+ earthquake. This suggests that aseismic slip (and not only earthquake occurrence) effectively maintains high permeability conduits in fault zones in sediments.

The Romanian sector of the Black Sea deserves attention because the Danube deep-sea fan is one of the largest sediment depositional systems worldwide and is considered the world's most isolated sea, the largest anoxic water body on the planet and a unique energy-rich sea. Due to the high sediment accumulation rate, presence of organic matter and anoxic conditions, the Black sea sediments offshore the Danube delta is rich in gas and thus shows Bottom Simulating Reflectors (BSR). The cartography of the BSR over the last 20 years, exhibits its widespread occurrence, indicative of extensive development of hydrate accumulations and a huge gas hydrate potential. By combining old and new datasets acquired in 2015 during the GHASS expedition, we performed a geomorphological analysis of the continental slope north-east of the Danube canyon compared with the spatial distribution of gas seeps in the water column and the predicted extent of the gas hydrate stability zone. This analysis provides new evidence of the role of geomorphological setting and gas hydrate extent in controlling the location of the observed gas expulsions and gas flares in the water column. Gas flares are today considered an important source of the carbon budget of the oceans and, potentially, of the atmosphere., Le secteur roumain de la Mer Noire est dominé par la présence du canyon du Danube et d'un des plus grands systèmes de dépôts de sédiment du monde. La Mer Noire est considérée comme la plus grande mer isolée du monde, la plus grande masse d’eau anoxique de la planète et une mer riche en énergie fossile. En raison d’un taux de sédimentation élevé, de la présence d’une grande quantité de matière organique et des conditions anoxiques, les sédiments de Mer Noire situés au large du delta du Danube sont riches en gaz et l’étude de données de sismique réflexion montre la présence d’un réflecteur sismique particulier appelé communément « Bottom Simulating Reflector ou BSR » qui marque la base de stabilité des hydrates de gaz. La cartographie du BSR au cours des 20 dernières années montre que les hydrates de gaz se seraient accumulés sur de vastes zones géographiques et que le secteur roumain de la Mer Noire a un fort potentiel d'hydrate de gaz. En combinant les anciens et les nouveaux jeux de données acquis en 2015 lors de la campagne océanographique GHASS, nous avons réalisé (1) une analyse géomorphologique de la pente continentale au nord-est du canyon du Danube, (2) une cartographie des panaches de gaz acoustiquement détectés dans la colonne d'eau et (3) le calcul et la cartographie de la zone de stabilité des hydrates de gaz. La comparaison de ces résultats fournit de nouvelles preuves du rôle de la géomorphologie et de la présence des hydrates de gaz sur la migration du gaz libre et la localisation des panaches de gaz dans la colonne d'eau. L’expulsion de gaz dans la mer est aujourd'hui considérée comme une source importante alimentant le budget carbone des océans et, potentiellement, de l'atmosphère.

The Romanian sector of the Black Sea deserves attention because the Danube deep-sea fan is one of the largest sediment depositional systems worldwide and is considered the world's most isolated sea, the largest anoxic water body on the planet and a unique energy-rich sea. Due to the high sediment accumulation rate, presence of organic matter and anoxic conditions, the Black sea sediments offshore the Danube delta is rich in gas and thus show Bottom Simulating Reflectors (BSR). The cartography of the BSR over the last 20 years, exhibits its widespread occurrence, indicative of extensive development of hydrate accumulations and a huge gas hydrate potential. By combining old and new datasets acquired in 2015 during the GHASS expedition, we performed a geomorphological analysis of the continental slope north-east of the Danube canyon compared with the spatial distribution of gas seeps in the water column and the predicted extent of the gas hydrate stability zone. This analysis provides new evidence of the role of geomorphological setting and gas hydrate extent in controlling the location of the observed gas expulsions and gas flares in the water column. Gas flares are today considered an important source of the carbon budget of the oceans and, potentially, of the atmosphere.

Mantle exhumation at slow-spreading ridges is favoured by extensional tectonics through low-angle detachment faults1, 2, 3, 4, and, along transforms, by transtension due to changes in ridge/transform geometry5, 6. Less common, exhumation by compressive stresses has been proposed for the large-offset transforms of the equatorial Atlantic7, 8. Here we show, using high-resolution bathymetry, seismic and gravity data, that the northern transform fault of the St Paul system has been controlled by compressive deformation since ~10 million years ago. The long-lived transpression resulted from ridge overlap due to the propagation of the northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge segment into the transform domain, which induced the migration and segmentation of the transform fault creating restraining stepovers. An anticlockwise change in plate motion at ~11 million years ago5 initially favoured extension in the left-stepping transform, triggering the formation of a transverse ridge, later uplifted through transpression, forming the St Peter and St Paul islets. Enhanced melt supply at the ridge axis due to the nearby Sierra Leone thermo chemical anomaly9 is responsible for the robust response of the northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge segment to the kinematic change. The long-lived process at the origin of the compressive stresses is directly linked to the nature of the underlying mantle and not to a change in the far-field stress regime.

This paper provides an overview of the progress Ifremer has made recently in fisheries acoustics and the study of small pelagic fish by: i) pushing observation frontiers using a range of platforms including an autonomous underwater vehicle, AUV, ii) developing measuring instruments and methods and iii) studying fish distributions. Presently, information from several frequencies of single-beam echosounders is routinely collected together with data from the ME70 multibeam echosounder. For onboard data acquisition control the HERMES software was developed. The new MOVIES 3D software includes modules for simultaneous realistic 3D visualisation and post-processing such as bottom detection, school extraction and calculation of descriptors and integration of all acoustic data. Several data analysis methods are being developed and some initial results are presented. Finally, results on the spatial distribution of small pelagic fish schools in the Bay of Biscay illustrate the role that acoustics can play, and are already playing, in the implementation of an ecosystem approach to fisheries., Cet article présente une vue d’ensemble des avancées récentes de l’Ifremer en acoustique halieutique et une étude des petits poissons pélagiques tenant compte : i) de l’extension des limites de l’observation, en utilisant une gamme diverse de plates-formes dont un engin sous-marin autonome (AUV), ii) des développements méthodologiques et d’instruments de mesures, iii) de l’étude de la répartition des poissons. Désormais, les données de plusieurs fréquences des sondeurs mono-faisceaux sont collectées en routine en parallèle à celles du sondeur multifaisceau ME70. Le logiciel HERMES a été développé pour le contrôle de l’acquisition des données à bord. Le nouveau logiciel MOVIES 3D comprend des modules de visualisation réaliste en 3D et de post-traitement (dont la détection du fond, l’extraction de bancs et le calcul de leurs descripteurs ainsi que l’intégration de toutes les données acoustiques). Plusieurs méthodes d’analyse de données sont en cours de développement et quelques premiers résultats sont présentés. Enfin, les résultats relatifs à la répartition spatiale des bancs de petits poissons pélagiques dans le golfe de Gascogne illustrent le rôle actuel et potentiel de l’acoustique dans la mise en place d’une approche écosystémique des pêches.

This paper describes the new survey module (called "Module de Mesures en Route"), of the Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) Victor 6000 and presents the first results obtained during two scientific cruises held during the summer of 2006 (Viking and Momareto).