Fixed and Drifting Buoys around the National Spanish Waters

Improving the knowledge of the seas surrounding the Iberian Peninsula, Balearic and Canary islands is one of the objectives for the Spanish oceanographic community. For that purpose, a number of fixed and drifting buoys have been deployed in the last 25 years. Parameters measured included sea surface temperature and salinity, ocean current velocity, air temperature, humidity, wave characteristic and wind velocity. The national aim is to increase the quantity, quality, coverage and timeliness of atmospheric and oceanographic data. These observations are used immediately to improve forecast and therefore increase marine safety

Description of a CSF-Enriched miRNA Panel for the Study of Neurological Diseases

Background: The study of circulating miRNAs in CSF has gained tremendous attention during the last years, as these molecules might be promising candidates to be used as biomarkers and provide new insights into the disease pathology of neurological disorders. Objective: The main aim of this study was to describe an OpenArray panel of CSF-enriched miRNAs to offer a suitable tool to identify and characterize new molecular signatures in different neurological diseases. Methods: Two hundred and fifteen human miRNAs were selected to be included in the panel, and their expression and abundance in CSF samples were analyzed. In addition, their stability was studied in order to propose suitable endogenous controls for CSF miRNA studies. Results: miR-143-3p and miR-23a-3p were detected in all CSF samples, while another 80 miRNAs were detected in at least 70% of samples. miR-770-5p was the most abundant miRNA in CSF, presenting the lowest mean Cq value. In addition, miR-26b-5p, miR-335-5p and miR-92b-3p were the most stable miRNAs and could be suitable endogenous normalizers for CSF miRNA studies. Conclusions: These OpenArray plates might be a suitable and efficient tool to identify and characterize new molecular signatures in different neurological diseases and would improve the yield of miRNA detection in CSF

Biodiversity and distributional patterns in deep-sea vulnerable marine ecosystems and associated fish communities of the Seco de los Olivos Bank

Seamounts are ubiquitous in the global ocean enhancing locally the biological biodiversity in the deep-sea and hosting multiple Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VMEs), like cold-water corals (CWCs) and sponge grounds. In the western Mediterranean basin (Alborán Sea), the Seco de Los Olivos Seamount (Chella Bank) is considered a hotspot of deep-sea biodiversity, being part of the protected marine network in Europe (Natura 2000). While previous studies provided extensive qualitative information about what species and habitats occur in the seamount, there is still a challenge to have accurate quantitative information to better understand the spatial distribution patterns of the megabenthic species and its functional role. Using underwater video transects recorded by a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) during the MEDWAVES survey (EU project ATLAS H2020), we quantitatively characterize the megabenthic communities in the Seco de Los Olivos Seamount. A total of 62 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) grouped into five major assemblages were identified, which were mainly associated with the substrate type. The main groups typifying these assemblages included massive sponges, black corals, sea pens, and ray-finned fishes. In addition, taxonomic diversity was evaluated and the patterns observed were also associated with the substrate type and to the flank orientation in a lesser extent. Besides our ecological findings, we found a variety of human impact evidence (e.g., pieces of fishing lines, glass bottles, and trawl marks). Nonetheless, there is a management plan in progress aiming to regulate different human activities (e.g., fisheries) carried out in this area declared a site of ecological importance. Abundances and densities obtained through this study for the most representatives OTUs represent an important contribution to improve our understanding of the biodiversity, ecological associations and potential threats of deep-sea communities and thus, will help to enhance the spatial management and conservation plans for these vulnerable marine ecosystems

Description and quantification of the deep-sea megabenthic communities in Ormonde seamount (Gorringe Bank, NE Atlantic) using video analysis

The Gorringe Bank is a seamounts complex located at the eastern tip of the Azores-Gibraltar plate boundary separating Eurasia and Africa. Despite its early discovery at the end of the XIX century, the knowledge of the benthic communities and other associated fauna is still very scarce in this region, particularly in the deep areas below 200 m. The Ormonde seamount is one of the two main summits of Gorringe Bank, which rises from 5000 m to 33 m depth. In this study, we characterised the deep-sea communities in the Ormonde seamount from 900 to 2000 m depth by analysing underwater videos recorded by remotely operated vehicle (ROV) during the MEDWAVES survey (EU H2020 project ATLAS). We provided for the first time, detailed and quantitative information on species composition, densities, spatial distribution and state of conservation compared to other well studied seamounts. The surveyed areas were strongly dominated by sponges, but the presence of patches of cold-water corals were also notable and some other vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs) were identified. Spatial patterns in the deep-sea communities were also analysed as a result of the different water masses that bathed the area, exhibiting higher biodiversity in the presence of the Mediterranean Outflow Water (MOW). Studies of deep-sea ecosystems not only improve our knowledge of the deep ocean but also are essential defining an appropriate management plan and conservation measures

Variability of deep-sea megabenthic assemblages along the western pathway of the Mediterranean outflow water

The presence of different water masses in depth may influence the species distribution and community structure in deep-sea benthic ecosystems. In the North Atlantic, the Mediterranean Outflow Water (MOW) represents an important forcing water mass, whose influence on the distribution of cold-water corals in the northern European margins has been particularly investigated. However, the MOW also spreads westwards into the central North Atlantic bathing several seamounts and seafloor elevations, whose deep-sea benthic communities are still poorly known. In this study, we provide a local to large-scale comprehensive description of deep-sea megabenthic assemblages along the western branch of the MOW, from its origin in the western Mediterranean Sea to the Central North Atlantic close to the Azores archipelago. For some of the studied seafloor elevations, such as Ormonde (Gorringe bank, offshore SW Portugal margin) and Formigas seamounts (SE Azores archipelago), this is the first time these assemblages have been characterized and quantified. The results indicate a strong effect of substrate type in the structure and diversity of the assemblages at local scales; but the effect of water masses becomes more relevant when a large bathymetrical gradient is considered. The results also suggest a potential role of the MOW for biodiversity and biogeographic patterns at the North Atlantic basin, suggesting a potential enhancement of the biodiversity of some deep-sea megabenthic assemblages. Understanding water masses as an integrative tool to delineate biodiversity and biogeographic patterns from local to large scale will contribute to identify different megabenthic assemblages, including vulnerable marine ecosystems, as well as potential regions of refugia under future climate change conditions.S

Biodiversity and distributional patterns in deep-sea vulnerable marine ecosystems and associated fish communities of the Seco de los Olivos Bank

Seamounts are ubiquitous in the global ocean enhancing locally the biological biodiversity in the deep-sea and hosting multiple Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VMEs), like cold-water corals (CWCs) and sponge grounds. In the western Mediterranean basin (Alborán Sea), the Seco de Los Olivos Seamount (Chella Bank) is considered a hotspot of deep-sea biodiversity, being part of the protected marine network in Europe (Natura 2000). While previous studies provided extensive qualitative information about what species and habitats occur in the seamount, there is still a challenge to have accurate quantitative information to better understand the spatial distribution patterns of the megabenthic species and its functional role. Using underwater video transects recorded by a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) during the MEDWAVES survey (EU project ATLAS H2020), we quantitatively characterize the megabenthic communities in the Seco de Los Olivos Seamount. A total of 62 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) grouped into five major assemblages were identified, which were mainly associated with the substrate type. The main groups typifying these assemblages included massive sponges, black corals, sea pens, and ray-finned fishes. In addition, taxonomic diversity was evaluated and the patterns observed were also associated with the substrate type and to the flank orientation in a lesser extent. Besides our ecological findings, we found a variety of human impact evidence (e.g., pieces of fishing lines, glass bottles, and trawl marks). Nonetheless, there is a management plan in progress aiming to regulate different human activities (e.g., fisheries) carried out in this area declared a site of ecological importance. Abundances and densities obtained through this study for the most representatives OTUs represent an important contribution to improve our understanding of the biodiversity, ecological associations and potential threats of deep-sea communities and thus, will help to enhance the spatial management and conservation plans for these vulnerable marine ecosystems

Description and quantification of the deep-sea megabenthic communities in Ormonde seamount (Gorringe Bank, NE Atlantic) using video analysis

The Gorringe Bank is a seamounts complex located at the eastern tip of the Azores-Gibraltar plate boundary separating Eurasia and Africa. Despite its early discovery at the end of the XIX century, the knowledge of the benthic communities and other associated fauna is still very scarce in this region, particularly in the deep areas below 200 m. The Ormonde seamount is one of the two main summits of Gorringe Bank, which rises from 5000 m to 33 m depth. In this study, we characterised the deep-sea communities in the Ormonde seamount from 900 to 2000 m depth by analysing underwater videos recorded by remotely operated vehicle (ROV) during the MEDWAVES survey (EU H2020 project ATLAS). We provided for the first time, detailed and quantitative information on species composition, densities, spatial distribution and state of conservation compared to other well studied seamounts. The surveyed areas were strongly dominated by sponges, but the presence of patches of cold-water corals were also notable and some other vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs) were identified. Spatial patterns in the deep-sea communities were also analysed as a result of the different water masses that bathed the area, exhibiting higher biodiversity in the presence of the Mediterranean Outflow Water (MOW). Studies of deep-sea ecosystems not only improve our knowledge of the deep ocean but also are essential defining an appropriate management plan and conservation measures