Dynamics of Marine Sedimentary Basin

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, scientific studies have revealed the close relationship that exists between the marine geological and geomorphological systems of the continental shelf and the habitats and ecosystems that subsist in these areas. This fact means that research increasingly needs complementary studies to understand the interface between these dependent systems. In this sense, the alteration of marine sediments, the discharge of groundwater into the sea, or anthropogenic processes that modify geomorphology or give rise to pollution have a direct effect on coastal marine ecosystems. The objective of this Special Issue is to place studies that, due to their importance, highlight the need to further understand the processes and consequences derived from human impacts on sedimentary environments and, consequently, marine ecosystems at the forefront of research. Many researches already address the fact that climate change and global change directly influence this mixed dynamic system and affect both marine species and geomorphological processes. This Special Issue will address research that is related to biotic and abiotic processes that affect systems which are located in coastal areas, as well as the study of coastal marine environmental systems and their relationship with geological dynamics. In addition, it will include research related to the integration of the sources, adverse effects, and accumulation of contaminants in marine ecosystems, habitat, aquatic and marine organisms, and the geological substrate. Furthermore, this Special Issue will include research related to the sources of pollution affecting marine habitats and the geological systems which have an important role as substrates for life. The relationships between the geomorphological dynamics of the coastal marine zone and the habitats that are linked to these environments are also addressed, along with other aspects of interest, such as marine currents or the effect of climate change on these processes. This will contribute to increasing the knowledge regarding the useful approaches needed to understand the functioning of interrelated systems and their influence on the food web from the deposition of sediments and pollutants in coastal marine systems to their transference to marine organisms. Furthermore, new approaches to combat the effects of pollution and global change on both ecosystems and geological and geomorphological processes of the coastal marine zone will be welcomed; these include sedimentation, coastal dynamics, relationship with coastal hydrogeological systems, and global change. All these processes and effects on marine systems and ecosystems can help us to understand and mitigate the impact of climate change, the increase in temperatures in the sea, the water deficit of fresh water that is discharged to the coast naturally, the processes of pollution linked to these current phenomena of increased pollution, or global change.

Some topics of interest that will be covered in the Special Issue include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Marine ecology, habitats, and ecosystem;
2. Geomorphological systems on marine coastal environments;
3. Transport and deposition of pollutants in shallow sediments and effects in seagrasses;
4. Dynamics of pollution dynamics of coastal marine zones in marine protected areas;
5. Ecotoxicology effects of pollutants in marine species;
6. Relationship between geological and geomorphological systems and marine ecosystem;
7. Implications of anthropogenic effects on aquatic ecosystems and the geological substrate;
8. Pollutants in marine water and their effect on the aquatic and marine ecosystems;
9. Pollutants in marine sedimentary environments;
10. The influence of climate change on marine habitats;
11. The influence of climate change on marine coastal geomorphological systems (continental basin, coastal coast, sand banks, etc.);
12. Sources of pollution in marine aquatic ecosystems and marine sediments;
13. Relationship between marine ecosystems and freshwater discharge from coastal aquifers;
14. Wastewater and impact on sedimentary environments and marine habitats;
15. Global change and effects on coastal marine systems;
16. Global change and effects on coastal marine ecosystems;
17. Global change and risks to human health;
18. Emerging pollutants, microplastics, and global change and their effects on aquatic and marine ecosystems and marine sediments;
19. CO₂ acidification and its impact as a consequence of global change in seawater and marine sediments.

Dr. Pedro Robledo-Ardila
Prof. Dr. Salud Deudero
Dr. Carme Alomar
Guest Editors

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