MASTS is made by and for its members
This Forum provides a platform for knowledge exchange (information, education, networking), enabling the MASTS community to collaborate on Deep Sea Research.
As a more holistic approach to studying the deep-sea is needed to solve present issues this Forum engages researchers representing a variety of disciplines.
2024: MASTS Open Forum Session “Microplastics & Marine Carbon Dioxide” MASTS Open Forum Sessions aim at connecting the MASTS community with its diverse Research Forums and Steering Groups. At these sessions, Forums “open their doors” to present their members’ work and network with the community.
The Deep Sea Forum was excited to host this Session with two interesting talks:
“The deposition of microplastics in the deep ocean.”
Speaker: Dr Rachel Brackenridge, Senior Lecturer at the University of Aberdeen
A significant portion of the global marine plastic budget is unaccounted for in known surface waste patches. It is therefore thought that large volumes of waste are accumulating in the deep ocean. However, little is known of the source to sink cycle of plastics in the environment, particularly in deep marine settings. Recent research has shown that sediments deposited by deep ocean currents (named contourites) are potential hot spots for deposition and it is now hypothesised that these contourite sediment drifts are the ultimate sink of microplastics (MP) in the ocean. However, acquiring data from deep marine settings to quantify this is difficult and costly. This study aimed to test if legacy samples can be used to understand microplastic distribution in these settings.
“Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal, the new (old) challenges.”
Speaker: Marta Maria Cecchetto, Postdoc at Heriot-Watt University
Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal (mCDR) is being explored as a potential approach to mitigate climate change by leveraging the ocean’s ability to absorb and store CO2. This presentation critically examines various mCDR methods, including ocean alkalinity enhancement, seaweed cultivation, and deep-sea carbon storage. While these techniques offer promise in reducing atmospheric CO2 levels, significant uncertainties remain regarding their scalability, environmental risks, and long-term effectiveness. By evaluating the current state of research and technology, this talk aims to foster a balanced discussion on the potential role of mCDR in global climate strategies.
The MASTS Deep Sea Community has identified the need for clear communication of the impacts of climate change on Scottish deep-sea ecosystems together with the associated socio-economic impacts. The Working Group is developing an interactive Story Map which will be available on this Webpage.
Scotland has a vast deep-sea area stretching out to the 200 nautical mile boundary, encompassing a range of diverse habitats as well as economic resources such as fishing, oil and gas. In addition to scientific interest in the deep sea, policy makers are required to protect many of these poorly understood habitats and the often fragile ecology and biodiversity that they support. Increasing access to deep sea habitats and exposure through various media has also stimulated significant public curiosity in the life found in these deep, cool and dark environments.
A more holistic approach to studying the deep-sea is needed which requires engagement with researchers representing a variety of disciplines, including ecologists, chemists, physicists, modellers and climate scientists. These researchers have to be supported by technology that can operate remotely under extreme conditions. Only then can we truly begin to understand how the ecosystem functions. Deep sea researchers operating within the MASTS community have access to a variety of state of the art equipment, some of which has been specifically designed to operate and sample in the deepest parts of the world’s oceans. The challenge of conducting research in these extreme environments means that much of the science is by definition, cutting edge. However, use of modern technology, together with practical ingenuity is leading to novel discoveries including species and ecosystems new to science.
PostDoc | School of GeoSciences
Interests: Marine Biology | Ecology and Evolution | Ecosystem and Conservation Ecology | Oil and Gas Industry – Impact on cold-water sponges and their habitats
PhD | School of Energy, Geo-science, Infrastructure and Society
Interests: Deep-Sea Ecology and Ecotoxicology | Ecotoxicological Impacts of Deep-Sea Mining on Predators and Scavengers
MASTS was founded in 2009 to be a unique collaboration between marine research organisations, government and industry.
Charity Number: SC045259
Company Number: SC485726
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