Special Issue on Advances in Applied Marine Sciences and Engineering

1. Introduction

Marine Science and technology are the basis for human beings to understand, develop and protect the ocean. Applied marine sciences and engineering have attracted worldwide attention, and include basic theoretical research and applied research on marine hydrology, meteorology, physics and geology [1,2]. The articles published in this Special Issue represent the latest research of various branches and interdisciplinary subjects of marine science, promote the sustainable development, utilization and protection of the ocean, and provide an academic channel of communication for researchers studying basic marine science and applied marine science. Moreover, this Special Issue reports academic papers and research reports on physical oceanography, marine oil spills, maritime search and rescue, marine environments and big data, marine geology, ocean and coastal engineering, marine/coastal disaster and risk assessment, the marine ecological environment, river dynamics, marine chemistry, marine water literature and remote sensing, as well as the latest research trends of related disciplines. A total of 15 papers have been collected around the pioneering applications and advances of marine technology in areas such as the marine environment, marine geology and ocean engineering. The papers presented in this collection demonstrate the innovative utilization and application of marine science data, and contribute to the expansion of knowledge and the refinement of methodologies in these domains.

2. Advances in Applied Marine Sciences and Engineering

This Special Issue presents a comprehensive exploration of the latest advancements in applied marine sciences and engineering, focusing on their application in ocean engineering, marine technology, the marine environment and marine geology. In the field of ocean engineering, Liu et al. [3] experimentally investigated the flow-induced rotation of two mechanically tandem-coupled cylinders. Cao and Wen [4] combined the large eddy simulated turbulence model and Lighthill’s acoustic analogy theory and extracted the transient flow field data as the excitation conditions for acoustic calculations. Zhang et al. [5] examined the structural responses of ship bow structures under the influence of green-water loads caused by freak waves with an unusually high amplitude and concentrated energy. In the field of marine technology, Carrillo-Aguilar et al. [6] suggested algorithms to identify the dry fins of 37 shark species involved in the shark fin trade from 14 countries, which demonstrated a high sensitivity and specificity of image processing. The first methodology used a non-linear composite filter using Fourier transform for each species. The second methodology was a neural network. Wang et al. [7] proposed a novel swarm-intelligence-based approach for a sparse sensor array design to reduce PSLL under spacing constrains. Xiong et al. [8] proposed a new algorithm for a higher-order vector finite element method based on two new types of second-order edge elements to solve the electromagnetic-field diffusion problem in a 3D anisotropic medium. Based on the data-driven principle, Li et al. [9] employed active disturbance rejection control with a tracking differentiator (LADRC-TD) algorithm for AUH depths and heading control. Kim and Oh [10] proposed a deep learning-based stacked autoencoder model for the first time to analyze ship operating modes. In the field of the marine environment, Soldani et al. [11] presented statistical analysis aimed at correctly estimating the hydrobarometric transfer factor in harbors, which can play a fundamental role in optimizing the management of port waters. The research results provided a reference for the noise-reduction design of underwater vehicles, thus improving their concealment in combat. Wu et al. [12] established a hydrodynamic model by FVCOM (Finite Volume Coastal Ocean Model) to research the influence of breakwater and sediment transport in Shantou Offshore Area. Fu et al. [13] adopted a unified, unstructured wave- and sediment-transport model and a topographic evolution model to carry out a high-spatial-temporal-resolution numerical simulation of the offshore dynamic environment under the disturbance of an artificial island. In the field of marine geology, Wang et al. [14] carried out a multi-proxy analysis that included micropaleontology and grain size to obtain information on the sedimentary environment, sea level change and climate change to study the sediment evolution of the Hanjiang River Delta during the late quaternary. Jiang et al. [15] analyzed the characteristics and causes of coastal water chemistry in Qionghai City, China. Fu et al. [16] studied the effects of shading on the growth and carbon storage of Enhalus acoroides. Yuan et al. [17] obtained and systematically analyzed soil and sediment samples from the surroundings of a lagoon in the Shamei Inland Sea, Qionghai City, Hainan Province and investigated the spatial distribution of nitrogen forms.

3. Future Applications

Although this Special Issue includes 15 papers on advances in applied marine sciences and engineering regarding ocean engineering, marine technology, the marine environment and marine geology, there is still a future expectation for more investigations on marine science and technology with artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms. In addition to this, the ocean, a cradle of life and a bounty of resources is strategically important to connect the world and promote high-quality development. Ocean engineering is an essential subject and a key support for the sustainable exploration and utilization of the ocean resources. We hope that more and more people will pay attention to the development of ocean engineering and technology.