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Sanctuary for vulnerable Arctic species at the Borealis Mud Volcano

Author

Listed:
  • Giuliana Panieri

    (UiT - The Arctic University of Norway)

  • Claudio Argentino

    (UiT - The Arctic University of Norway)

  • Alessandra Savini

    (University of Milano Bicocca)

  • Bénédicte Ferré

    (UiT - The Arctic University of Norway)

  • Fereshteh Hemmateenejad

    (University of Milano Bicocca)

  • Mari H. Eilertsen

    (University of Bergen)

  • Rune Mattingsdal

    (Norwegian Offshore Directorate)

  • Sofia P. Ramalho

    (University of Aveiro)

  • Tor Eidvin

    (Dronningåsen 14)

  • Sarah Youngs

    (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)

  • Beckett Casper Colson

    (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)

  • Anna Pauline Miranda Michel

    (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)

  • Jason Alexander Kapit

    (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)

  • Denise Swanborn

    (University of Western Australia)

  • Alex D. Rogers

    (Begbroke Science Park
    European Way)

  • Ines Barrenechea Angeles

    (UiT - The Arctic University of Norway)

  • Stéphane Polteau

    (Institute for Energy Technology)

  • Dimitri Kalenitchenko

    (UiT - The Arctic University of Norway)

  • Stefan Buenz

    (UiT - The Arctic University of Norway)

  • Adriano Mazzini

    (Institute for Energy Technology
    University of Oslo)

Abstract

Borealis is a recently discovered submerged mud volcano in the Polar North Atlantic, differing from the numerous methane seepages previously identified in the region. Here we show in situ observations from a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), capturing the release of warm (11.5 °C) Neogene sediments and methane-rich fluids from a gryphon at Borealis. The surrounding seafloor within the mud volcano features extensive carbonate deposits, indicating prolonged diffuse methane migration. Sampling and imagery reveal that Borealis supports unique habitats adapted to low-oxygen conditions near methane seeps. Additionally, the irregularly shaped carbonate structures serve as a natural shelter from bottom trawling and a substratum for sessile fauna and may function as nursery grounds for threatened fish species. This discovery underscores the ecological significance of cold seep ecosystems in the Polar North Atlantic, highlighting their role in biodiversity by serving as refuges for marine species and emphasizing the need for their conservation.

Suggested Citation

  • Giuliana Panieri & Claudio Argentino & Alessandra Savini & Bénédicte Ferré & Fereshteh Hemmateenejad & Mari H. Eilertsen & Rune Mattingsdal & Sofia P. Ramalho & Tor Eidvin & Sarah Youngs & Beckett Cas, 2025. "Sanctuary for vulnerable Arctic species at the Borealis Mud Volcano," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-55712-x
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-55712-x
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Antoine Crémière & Aivo Lepland & Shyam Chand & Diana Sahy & Daniel J. Condon & Stephen R. Noble & Tõnu Martma & Terje Thorsnes & Simone Sauer & Harald Brunstad, 2016. "Timescales of methane seepage on the Norwegian margin following collapse of the Scandinavian Ice Sheet," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 7(1), pages 1-10, September.
    2. Antje Boetius & Katrin Ravenschlag & Carsten J. Schubert & Dirk Rickert & Friedrich Widdel & Armin Gieseke & Rudolf Amann & Bo Barker Jørgensen & Ursula Witte & Olaf Pfannkuche, 2000. "A marine microbial consortium apparently mediating anaerobic oxidation of methane," Nature, Nature, vol. 407(6804), pages 623-626, October.
    3. Pavel Serov & Rune Mattingsdal & Monica Winsborrow & Henry Patton & Karin Andreassen, 2023. "Widespread natural methane and oil leakage from sub-marine Arctic reservoirs," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-12, December.
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