In the realm of oceanography, Ecosystem Services encapsulate the vast contributions of coastal and estuarine ecosystems to human well-being, spanning environmental stability, climate regulation, water quality, food supply, health, energy production, and mineral wealth. With the advent of industrialization and increased global interconnectivity, these invaluable services face heightened risks from both anthropogenic and natural disruptions. This underscores the necessity of a profound understanding of coastal and estuarine dynamics to predict and mitigate adverse changes on a global scale. The biogeochemical processes, particularly the oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) derived from microbial activities in sediments, are pivotal, offering more reliable and enduring insights. However, despite the richness of available data, ORP measurements remain challenging, demanding a nuanced analysis within a contextual framework. This research topic aims to shift the focus of researchers towards the comprehensive study of ORP in coastal sediments. By leveraging both direct chemical measurement techniques and indirect metagenomic approaches, the goal is to elucidate the underlying microbial processes and their impact on carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, and iron cycles in coastal environments. Insights derived from such studies are crucial for those monitoring coastal areas and can significantly enhance our understanding of biogeochemical cycling. The scope of the research is twofold: o Firstly, to deepen the understanding of carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, and iron biogeochemical processes in coastal sediments. This involves the improvement of the technology used for in situ ORP measurements at the outset of surface sediments. o Secondly, we welcome contributions that encompass a range of related topics, including: o Methodological advancements in ORP measurement technologies. o Metagenomic analyses of microbial activities in sediments. o Impact of biogeochemical cycles on ecosystem services. o Reviews of current research and technologies in coastal sediment studies. o Strategies for effective coastal management through bio- and geo-engineering.
Article types and fees
This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:
Brief Research Report
Community Case Study
Data Report
Editorial
FAIR² Data
FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
General Commentary
Hypothesis and Theory
Methods
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Article types
This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:
Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
