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June 30, 2026AMBIO0 citationsOpen Access

Stratigraphic evidence of organic carbon depletion in an intensely trawled muddy seabed

HMHannah Muir JSJames A. Strong JHJan G. Hiddink

Puntos clave

This study aims to understand the long-term effects of bottom trawling on sedimentary organic carbon levels in the Western Irish Sea Mud Belt.
Analyzed sediment samples from 0–50 cm depth in areas with varying levels of bottom trawling intensity.
Measured sediment organic carbon density and content, focusing on changes from 1860 to 2022.
Assessed the influence of mud content and Nephrops burrowing on organic carbon levels.
Sediment organic carbon density decreased by 0.031 × 10 −2 gC cm −3 for each additional swept area ratio per year (p<0.05).
Organic carbon content declined by 0.05 wt% with increased trawling intensity (p<0.05).
OC decreased by 0.007 × 10 −2 gC cm −3 and 0.01 wt% for every additional centimeter into the sediment.

Resumen

Abstract Understanding the long-term effects of bottom trawling on sedimentary organic carbon (OC) is crucial for assessing its role in carbon cycling and climate regulation. Most studies analyse effects on surface sediments (≤10 cm), leaving impacts on deeper sediments poorly resolved. This study investigates how bottom trawling influences sediment OC density (SCD) and OC content within 0–50 cm of the Western Irish Sea Mud Belt, representing sediments deposited from 1860 to 2022. SCD and OC content were lower in intensely trawled areas, declining by 0.031 × 10 −2 gC cm −3 and 0.05 wt% per additional swept area ratio (+1 yr −1 ). OC decreased by 0.007×1 0 −2 gC cm −3 and 0.01 wt% for every centimetre into the sediment. Mud content had a significant effect on OC content, but not SCD, whereas Nephrops burrowing did not significantly affect either. These findings support evidence of trawlings potentially long-term negative impact on OC in muddy sediments.

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