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Presents the author's experience of nearly performing an Achilles tendon operation on the wrong leg.

The European Regional Seas Ecosystem Model (ERSEM) is one of the most established ecosystem models for the lower trophic levels of the marine food web in the scientific literature. Since its original development in the early nineties it has evolved significantly from a coastal ecosystem model for the North Sea to a generic tool for ecosystem simulations from shelf seas to the global ocean. The current model release contains all essential elements for the pelagic and benthic parts of the marine ecosystem, including the microbial food web, the carbonate system, and calcification. Its distribution is accompanied by a testing framework enabling the analysis of individual parts of the model. Here we provide a detailed mathematical description of all ERSEM components along with case studies of mesocosm-type simulations, water column implementations, and a brief example of a full-scale application for the north-western European shelf. Validation against in situ data demonstrates the capability of the model to represent the marine ecosystem in contrasting environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

End-to-end modelling is a rapidly developing strategy for modelling in marine systems science and management. However, problems remain in the area of data matching and sub-model compatibility. A mechanism and novel interfacing system (Couplerlib) is presented whereby a physical--biogeochemical model (General Ocean Turbulence Model--European Regional Seas Ecosystem Model, GOTM--ERSEM) that predicts dynamics of the lower trophic level (LTL) organisms in marine ecosystems is coupled to a dynamic ecosystem model (Ecosim), which predicts food-web interactions among higher trophic level (HTL) organisms. Coupling is achieved by means of a bespoke interface, which handles the system incompatibilities between the models and a more generic Couplerlib library, which uses metadata descriptions in extensible mark-up language (XML) to marshal data between groups, paying attention to functional group mappings and compatibility of units between models. In addition, within Couplerlib, models can be coupled across networks by means of socket mechanisms. As a demonstration of this approach, a food-web model (Ecopath with Ecosim, EwE) and a physical--biogeochemical model (GOTM--ERSEM) representing the North Sea ecosystem were joined with Couplerlib. The output from GOTM--ERSEM varies between years, depending on oceanographic and meteorological conditions. Although inter-annual variability was clearly present, there was always the tendency for an annual cycle consisting of a peak of diatoms in spring, followed by (less nutritious) flagellates and dinoflagellates through the summer, resulting in an early summer peak in the mesozooplankton biomass. Pelagic productivity, predicted by the LTL model, was highly seasonal with little winter food for the higher trophic levels. The Ecosim model was originally based on the assumption of constant annual inputs of energy and, consequently, when coupled, pelagic species suffered population losses over the winter months. By contrast, benthic populations were more stable (although the benthic linkage modelled was purely at the detritus level, so this stability reflects the stability of the Ecosim model). The coupled model was used to examine long-term effects of environmental change, and showed the system to be nutrient limited and relatively unaffected by forecast climate change, especially in the benthos. The stability of an Ecosim formulation for large higher tropic level food webs is discussed and it is concluded that this kind of coupled model formulation is better for examining the effects of long-term environmental change than short-term perturbations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The UK continental shelf experiences large tidal ranges and winter storm events, which can both generate strong near-bed currents. The regular tidal bottom currents from tides plus wind driven ‘benthic storms’ (dominated by wave-driven oscillatory currents in shallow water) are a major source of disturbance to benthic communities, particularly in shallow waters. We aim to identify and map the relative impact of the tides and storm events on the shallower parts of the North West European continental shelf. A 10-year simulation of waves, tides and surges on the continental shelf was performed. The shelf model was validated against current meter observations and the Centre for Environmental, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) network of SmartBuoys. Next, the model performance was assessed against seabed lander data from two sites in the Southern North Sea; one in deep water and another shallow water site at Sea Palling, and a third in Liverpool Bay. Both waves and currents are well simulated at the offshore Southern North Sea site. A large storm event was also well captured, though the model tends to underpredict bottom orbital velocity. Poorer results were achieved at the Sea Palling site, thought to be due to an overly deep model water depth, and missing wave–current interactions. In Liverpool Bay tides were well modelled and good correlations (average R 2 =0.89) are observed for significant wave height, with acceptable values (average R 2 =0.79) for bottom orbital velocity. Using the full 10-year dataset, return periods can be calculated for extreme waves and currents. Mapping these return periods presents a spatial picture of extreme bed disturbance, highlighting the importance of rare wave disturbances (e.g. with a return period of 1 in 10 years). Annual maximum currents change little in their magnitude and distribution from year to year, with mean speeds around 0.04 m s −1 , and maximums exceeding 3 m s −1 . Wave conditions however are widely variable throughout the year, depending largely on storm events. Typical significant wave heights ( Hs ) lie between 0.5 and 2 m, but storm events in shallow water can bring with them large waves of 5 m and above and up to 18 m in North West Approaches/North West Scotland ( Sterl and Caires, 2005 ). The benthic disturbance generated by waves and currents is then estimated by calculating the combined force on an idealised object at the bed. The patterns of this disturbance reflect both regular tidal disturbance and rare wave events. Mean forces are typically 0.05–0.1 N, and are seen largely in areas of fast currents ( > 1 m s − 1 ). The pattern of maximum force however is more dependent on water depth and exposure to long-fetches ( > 1000 km ) suggesting that it is dominated by wave events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diesing, M., Stephens, D., and Aldridge, J. 2013. A proposed method for assessing the extent of the seabed significantly affected by demersal fishing in the Greater North Sea. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 70: 1085–1096.The widespread impact of bottom towed fishing gear on benthic species and communities has long been recognized. The responses to a given intensity of fishing disturbance can be influenced by the extent to which these species and communities are preconditioned to disturbance by natural processes, in particular waves and currents. The advent of vessel monitoring system (VMS) and models of natural disturbance enable high-resolution and large-scale comparisons of fishing and natural disturbance. VMS data were employed to estimate the trawled area per 12 km by 12 km grid cell. We then quantified natural disturbance by estimating the number of days in a year the seabed was disturbed by tides and waves. As natural disturbance acts on large spatial scales, we assumed that each natural disturbance event affects whole grid cells. Frequencies could thus be translated into an area of impact, allowing us to compare fishing with natural disturbance. We show how such comparisons can be used to estimate the extent of different seabed substrate types significantly affected by demersal fishing. A measure of the probability that fishing disturbance exceeds natural disturbance provides one metric for identifying areas of significant trawling impact on seabed habitats and might be used to measure progress towards achieving good environmental status for sea-floor integrity within the context of the European Union's Marine Strategy Framework Directive. For more than half the seabed in the English sector of the Greater North Sea, the results suggest that disturbance attributable to demersal fishing exceeds natural disturbance based on data from the years 2006 to 2008. The imbalance between natural and fishing disturbance is greatest in muddy substrates and deep circalittoral habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: The germination characteristics of Alexandrium minutum cysts from the Fal estuary were studied at different conditions of temperature (4–24°C) and salinity (15–35‰) and in the dark and low light intensity (2μmol−2 s−1). Sediment sub-samples were directly cultured and processed at the end of the experiment for counts of non-germinated cysts. A decrease in the number of cysts was interpreted as germination that was calculated by comparison of the number of cysts over time with that of initial counts. The 50% germination time (time at which 50% of the total initial number of cysts had germinated) was calculated for each condition. A. minutum did not germinate in the dark but it germinated under all other conditions studied. Highest germination occurred at salinities of 30psu and 35psu and temperatures from 8°C to 24°C (germination rate—expressed as the inverse of the 50% germination time: 1.1–1.2). Lowest germination occurred at 15psu and 4°C and 24°C (germination rate: 3.9–3.8). However, little variation in germination rates occurred across the conditions studied. As these conditions represent those likely in the estuary it is probable that A. minutum cysts on the surface of the sediments represent a constant source of cells to the water column and sediment disturbance (revealing buried cysts) could rapidly inoculate the water column with vegetative cells. This data was used to develop a model for Alexandrium germination from coastal sediments. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This study investigates whether there is any evidence of a large-scale cumulative impact on benthic macro-invertebrate communities as a result of the multiple sites of aggregate extraction located off Great Yarmouth in the southern North Sea. Forty 0.1 m2 Hamon grab samples were collected from across the region, both within and beyond the extraction area, and analysed for macrofauna and sediment particle size distribution in order to produce a regional description of the status of the seabed environment. In addition, the data were analysed in relation to the area of seabed impacted by dredging over the period 1993–1998. Areas subject to ‘direct’ impacts were determined through reference to annual electronic records of dredging activity and this information was then used to model the likely extent of areas potentially subject to ‘indirect’ ecological and geophysical impact. Results showed the study area to be characterised by sands in the northern half of the survey area, and sandy gravels in the south. The low diversity communities found across much of the survey area were typical of mobile sandy sediments. However, stations located in the southern half and northern extreme of the survey area tended to support higher numbers of species and individuals. This may be due to marginally enhanced stability arising from the higher proportion of gravel found in samples to the south of the extraction licenses and to the presence of Sabellaria spinulosa reef in the north. Analysis of data in relation to areas of predicted dredging impact revealed proportionally less gravel and more sand within the ‘direct’ impact zone, compared to the ‘indirect’ impact zone. Whilst multivariate analyses of macrofaunal data did not clearly discriminate between dredging impact zones, a comparison of univariate measures revealed significantly lower numbers of species and individuals in areas which have been subject to ‘direct’ dredging impacts in comparison with ‘reference’ areas. This provides good evidence of the near-field consequences of dredging. Values of these measures in the ‘indirect’ zone were intermediate, although not significantly different from the ’reference’ zone. We conclude that, although the dominant influence on assemblages in the region is that of sediment instability induced by tidal currents, we cannot dismiss the possibility of a subsidiary influence of dredging activity in the near vicinity of the licensed block and further investigation is warranted. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The distribution of sediment type and benthic communities in the central and eastern English Channel is shown to be polarised around a distinctive local hydrodynamic feature. The seabed in the region includes an extensive area of gravel substrate which is both an important habitat for benthic marine fauna and a valuable source of material for the marine aggregate industry. Effective management of the area is predicated on an understanding of whether it represents a single homogeneous unit, or several different units that may need to be managed in different ways. The aim of this study was to provide information that would inform such management decisions. Spatial patterns in gravel habitats and communities were studied by investigating the physical environment through modelled and empirical data, and the distribution of infauna and epifauna along an east-west trending transect. A common spatial pattern was observed in both physical and biological parameters, but rather than indicating a simple longitudinal gradient, there was a distinct polarisation around a central feature, a bedload parting (BLP) zone situated between the Isle of Wight and Cotentin peninsula. Sediments and communities at the eastern and western ends of the transect were more similar to each other than to those in the middle. The strong hydrodynamic regime in the BLP area controls sediment distribution, transporting finer material, mainly sand, away from the mid transect area. The pattern in sand content of the substrate mirrors the magnitude of the potential bedload transport, which is complex in this region due to the interplay between the M2 and M4 tidal constituents and produced a series of erosional and depositional zones. The structure of benthic communities reflected the local substrate and hydrodynamic conditions, with sponges observed among the stable substrates and stronger currents that characterised the mid transect area, while infauna became more diverse towards the ends of the transect where substrates were more mobile. We conclude that the area should not be considered as a homogeneous unit for management purposes, despite its apparent uniformity on contemporary seabed sediment maps. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The annual egg production (AEP) of cod (Gadus morhua), plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) and haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) in the Irish Sea during the 2008 spawning season was estimated using generalized additive models (GAMs that further developed previous applications of the annual egg production method to Irish Sea stocks by including 2-D spatial smoothing, automatic selection of the degree of smoothing and precision estimates. The estimates of AEP from the GAMs were compared to those from a stratified mean method and the sensitivity of the estimates to different model specifications, outliers, boundary effects and prediction period was assessed. The influence of outlying large observations was notable but overall the estimates of AEP were robust to the factors studied, with effect sizes comparable to the estimates’ coefficients of variation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The North Sea Benthos Project 2000 was initiated as a follow-up to the 1986 ICES North Sea Benthos Survey with the major aim to identify changes in the macrofauna species distribution and community structure in the North Sea and their likely causes. The results showed that the large-scale spatial distribution of macrofauna communities in the North Sea hardly changed between 1986 and 2000, with the main divisions at the 50 m and 100 m depth contours. Water temperature and salinity as well as wave exposure, tidal stress and primary production were influential environmental factors on a large (North Sea-wide) spatial scale. The increase in abundance and regional changes in distribution of various species with a southern distribution in the North Sea in 2000 were largely associated with an increase in sea surface temperature, primary production and, thus, food supply. This can be most likely related to the North Sea hydro-climate change in the late 1980s influenced by the variability in the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). Only one cold-temperate species decreased in abundance in 2000 at most of the stations. Indications for newly established populations of offshore non-native species were not found. Differences in macrofauna community structure on localised spatial scales were predominantly found north of the 50 m depth contour off the British coast along the Flamborough Head Front towards the Dogger Bank, off the coast of Jutland and at the Frisian Front. These changes were most likely attributed to stronger frontal systems in 2000 caused by the increased inflow of Atlantic water masses in relation to the hydro-climate change in the late 1980s. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Reiss, H., Degraer, S., Duineveld, G. C. A., Kröncke, I., Aldridge, J., Craeymeersch, J., Eggleton, J. D., Hillewaert, H., Lavaleye, M. S. S., Moll, A., Pohlmann, T., Rachor, E., Robertson, M., vanden Berghe, E., van Hoey, G., and Rees, H. L. 2010. Spatial patterns of infauna, epifauna, and demersal fish communities in the North Sea. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 67: 278–293.Understanding the structure and interrelationships of North Sea benthic invertebrate and fish communities and their underlying environmental drivers is an important prerequisite for conservation and spatial ecosystem management on scales relevant to ecological processes. Datasets of North Sea infauna, epifauna, and demersal fish (1999–2002) were compiled and analysed to (i) identify and compare spatial patterns in community structure, and (ii) relate these to environmental variables. The multivariate analyses revealed significantly similar large-scale patterns in all three components with major distinctions between a southern community (Oyster Ground and German Bight), an eastern Channel and southern coastal community, and at least one northern community (>50 m deep). In contrast, species diversity patterns differed between the components with a diversity gradient for infauna and epifauna decreasing from north to south, and diversity hotspots of demersal fish, e.g. near the major inflows of Atlantic water. The large-scale hydrodynamic variables were the main drivers for the structuring of communities, whereas sediment characteristics appeared to be less influential, even for the infauna communities. The delineation of ecologically meaningful ecosystem management units in the North Sea might be based on the structure of the main faunal ecosystem components. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The production of N2 gas via anammox was investigated in sediment slurries at in situ NO2- concentrations in the presence and absence of NO3-. With single enrichment above 10 μM 14NO2- or 14NO3- and 15NH4+, anammox activity was always linear (P < 0.05), in agreement with previous findings. In contrast, anammox exhibited a range of activity below 10 μM NO2- or NO3-, including an elevated response at lower concentrations. With 100 μM NO3-, no significant transient accumulation of NO2- could be measured, and the starting concentration of NO2- could therefore be regulated. With dual enrichment (1 to 20 μM NO2- plus 100 μM NO3-), there was a pronounced nonlinear response in anammox activity. Maximal activity occurred between 2 and 5 μM NO2-, but the amplitude of this peak varied across the study (November 2003 to June 2004). Anammox accounted for as much as 82% of the NO2- added at 1 μM in November 2003 but only for 15% in May 2004 and for 26 and 5% of the NO2- added at 5 μM for these two months, respectively. Decreasing the concentration of NO3- but holding NO2- at 5 μM decreased the significance of anammox as a sink for NO2-. The behavior of anammox was explored by use of a simple anammox-denitrification model, and the concept of a biphasic system for anammox in estuarine sediments is proposed. Overall, anammox is likely to be regulated by the availability of NO3- and NO2- and the relative size or activity of the anammox population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this numerical research is to assess the evacuation process in a tunnel under the contraflow condition. Numerical simulations utilizing FDS+Evac codes associated with a fire dynamic simulator (FDS) model simulating a fire scenario are used to simulate evacuation and to predict the impact of a 100 MW fire scenario on the occupants inside the tunnel. Traffic and passenger conditions are based on real data from a tunnel in the UK. Two fire loads, 100 MW and 5 MW, are studied to represent an HGV and a passenger car fire. The 100 MW fire source, caused by an unexpected heavy good vehicle (HGV) catching fire, is located in the middle of the tunnel and at 20% of tunnel length to study the effect of fire source location on the usage of emergency exits and tenability thresholds. The dimensions and the inclination angle of the existing roadway tunnel are 1836 m (L) × 7.3 m (W) × 5 m (H) and 4%, respectively. It should be noted that the 4% inclination of the tunnel causes asymmetry propagation of smokes thus the visibility of the downstream and upstream from the fire behave differently. The maximum needed time to evacuate using all egress, the amount of fractional effective dose and visibility at the human's height are analyzed. Simulation results indicate that when a realistic worst-case fire scenario is modeled, all evacuees can survive before the combustion gases and heat influence their survivability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Marine sediments represent one of the planet's largest carbon stores. Bottom trawl fisheries constitute the most widespread physical disturbance to seabed habitats, which exert a large influence over the oceanic carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) sink. Recent research has sparked concern that seabed disturbance from trawling can therefore turn marine sediments into a large source of CO 2 , but the calculations involved carry a high degree of uncertainty. This is primarily due to a lack of quantitative understanding of how trawling mixes and resuspends sediments, how it alters bioturbation, bioirrigation, and oxygenation rates, and how these processes translate into carbon fluxes into or out of sediments., Methods: The primary question addressed by this review protocol is: how does mobile bottom fishing affect benthic carbon processing and storage? This question will be split into the following secondary questions: what is the effect of mobile bottom fishing on: (i) the amount and type of carbon found in benthic sediments; (ii) the magnitude and direction of benthic-pelagic carbon fluxes; (iii) the biogeochemical, biological, and physical parameters that control the fate of benthic carbon; and (iv) the biogeochemical, biological, and physical parameters that control the fate of resuspended carbon. Literature searches will be conducted in Web of Science, SCOPUS, PROQUEST, and a range of grey and specialist sources. An initial scoping search in Web of Science informed the final search string, which has been formulated according to Population Intervention Comparator Outcome (PICO) principles. Eligible studies must contain data concerning a change in a population of interest caused by mobile bottom fishing. Eligible study designs are Before and After, Control and Impact, and Gradient studies. Studies included at full-text screening will be critically appraised, and study findings will be extracted.Extracted data will be stored in an Excel spreadsheet. Results will be reported in narrative and quantitative syntheses using a variety of visual tools including forest plots. Meta-analysis will be conducted where sufficient data exists., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

A chemical product tanker, The Ievoli Sun, was abandoned and later sank approximately 11 miles NW of Alderney in the English Channel in October 2000. The vessel carried a mixed cargo comprising 4000 tonnes of styrene, and 1000 tonnes each of methyl ethyl ketone and isopropyl alcohol. These chemicals are of low to moderate toxicity to aquatic life, are not persistent and have a low potential for bio-accumulation. Both of the solvents are miscible in water, whilst styrene is practically insoluble and, following release, it will rise to the sea surface and rapidly evaporate. More than 1000 tonnes of styrene are believed to have been lost to sea during the incident, resulting in an aerial plume of vapour which crossed Alderney and episodic contamination of air and water in the immediate vicinity of the wreck site. Analysis of edible tissues using coupled gas chromatography/mass spectrometry demonstrated low-level styrene contamination of crabs recovered from pots laid very close to the wreck site prior to the incident. These concentrations posed no risks to human consumers, and no fishery controls were implemented. The remainder of the styrene and the ship's main bunker fuel were recovered from the wreck on the seabed, whilst the two chemical solvents were released to the water column in a slow, controlled manner.