Marine Science

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Marine Science

Frontiers in Marine Science is a multidisciplinary journal exploring the dynamic ocean environment and its complex ecosystems. Our Research Topics span oceanography, marine biology, and ecology, with a focus on species–habitat interactions, biodiversity, climate impacts, and conservation to support sustainable ocean stewardship.

The following Research Topics are led by experts in their field and contribute to the scientific understanding of marine science. These Research topics are published in the peer-reviewed journal Frontiers in Marine Science, as open access articles.

Research Topics

Frontiers' Research Topics are peer-reviewed article collections around cutting-edge research themes.
Learn more about how Research topics work.

Advanced Imaging and Computational Methods for Ocean Observation

The ocean is one of Earth’s most dynamic yet least accessible systems—a vast and ever-changing regulator of climate, ecosystems, and resources.

Pollution in the Tropical Eastern Pacific Ocean: insights and perspectives

The (TEP) is a geographical area located from Baja California, Mexico to Central and South America (Peru); in volume, it occupies about 18% of the Pacific Ocean and 23% of productivity.

Ocean resilience: Integrating Science, technology, policy & circular economy for a sustainable future

Coastal–marine systems at the land–sea interface —estuaries, deltas, lagoons, nearshore shelves, and archipelagos— are pivotal nodes in the global carbon cycle, biodiversity, and ecosystem services, while also concentrating human populations

Marine Heatwaves and Their Effects on Europe's Marine Ecosystems

Marine heatwaves (MHWs) - periods of anomalously high sea surface temperatures - are intensifying in frequency, duration, and magnitude across European seas...

Climate Change and Sustainable Development of the Ocean

Climate-related ocean challenges have emerged as a defining issue at the intersection of marine environmental protection and global sustainable development. Sea level rise, ocean acidification, and changing marine ecosystems increasingly...

Global Penguin Research and Conservation

Penguins are among the most iconic marine animals, bridging science, conservation, and public imagination. They are vital sentinels of ocean health, integrating changes across marine food webs and reflecting shifts in climate

Epistemic Hospitality and Anthropogenic Impacts in the Oceans: Deep-Sea Mining

The field of ocean governance is rapidly evolving in response to mounting anthropogenic impacts, particularly in vulnerable deep-sea ecosystems. Coastal human interventions and expanding deep-sea mining activities are transforming both

Ocean Object Surveillance Using Satellite Synthetic Aperture Radar

Satellite Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) has long been a key technology for ocean observation, due to its all-weather, day-and-night imaging capability. It plays a vital role in closing critical gaps in marine monitoring,

Coastal erosion - houses built on weak clay soil slide down to the sea in Odessa, Ukraine.

Nature-Based Solutions for Coastal Flood Resilience: Opportunities, Challenges, and Adaptation to Climate Change

As the impacts of climate change intensify, coastal regions face increasing risks from sea level rise, stronger storm surges, and more frequent flooding. While traditional engineering solutions such as seawalls...

Microbial Drivers of Aquatic Organic Matter Degradation and Carbon Cycling

This Research Topic aims to advance our mechanistic understanding of how marine microbial communities mediate organic matter degradation and, in turn, influence marine and freshwater carbon cycling.

River Delta: Scientific Understanding, Risks, and Challenges Faced

River deltas represent dynamic interfaces of river-sea interactions that hold significant ecological, economic, and social value. Serving as fertile habitats, deltas have attracted dense human populations and become centers...

Emerging Techniques in Satellite-Derived Shoreline

Coastal regions are vital to global economic growth, housing a significant portion of the world's population and serving as key centers for economic and infrastructural developments.

Cross-Border Ocean Governance: Institutional Coherence, Policy Alignment and Synergistic Implementation in the Context of Global Blue Economy

This Research Topic focuses on cross-border ocean governance linkages—beyond national blue economy plans—by examining how institutional coherence, policy alignment...

Innovative Breakwater Designs: Optimizing Wave Energy Dissipation and Structural Stability in Coastal Protection

Coastal regions are increasingly exposed to low-frequency and long-period waves driven by climate change, sea-level rise, and intensifying extreme events, posing major challenges to conventional breakwater systems.

Aquatic Habitat Ecology & Conservation: Continental and Marine Ecosystems Connectivity - Vol. II

This Research Topic focuses on the worldwide threats to riverine, estuarine, and adjacent coastal areas, as well as open oceans, and their potential management solutions.

Advanced Imaging and Computational Methods for Ocean Observation

The ocean is one of Earth’s most dynamic yet least accessible systems—a vast and ever-changing regulator of climate, ecosystems, and resources.

Pollution in the Tropical Eastern Pacific Ocean: insights and perspectives

The (TEP) is a geographical area located from Baja California, Mexico to Central and South America (Peru); in volume, it occupies about 18% of the Pacific Ocean and 23% of productivity.

Ocean resilience: Integrating Science, technology, policy & circular economy for a sustainable future

Coastal–marine systems at the land–sea interface —estuaries, deltas, lagoons, nearshore shelves, and archipelagos— are pivotal nodes in the global carbon cycle, biodiversity, and ecosystem services, while also concentrating human populations

Marine Heatwaves and Their Effects on Europe's Marine Ecosystems

Marine heatwaves (MHWs) - periods of anomalously high sea surface temperatures - are intensifying in frequency, duration, and magnitude across European seas...

Climate Change and Sustainable Development of the Ocean

Climate-related ocean challenges have emerged as a defining issue at the intersection of marine environmental protection and global sustainable development. Sea level rise, ocean acidification, and changing marine ecosystems increasingly...

Global Penguin Research and Conservation

Penguins are among the most iconic marine animals, bridging science, conservation, and public imagination. They are vital sentinels of ocean health, integrating changes across marine food webs and reflecting shifts in climate

Epistemic Hospitality and Anthropogenic Impacts in the Oceans: Deep-Sea Mining

The field of ocean governance is rapidly evolving in response to mounting anthropogenic impacts, particularly in vulnerable deep-sea ecosystems. Coastal human interventions and expanding deep-sea mining activities are transforming both

Ocean Object Surveillance Using Satellite Synthetic Aperture Radar

Satellite Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) has long been a key technology for ocean observation, due to its all-weather, day-and-night imaging capability. It plays a vital role in closing critical gaps in marine monitoring,

Coastal erosion - houses built on weak clay soil slide down to the sea in Odessa, Ukraine.

Nature-Based Solutions for Coastal Flood Resilience: Opportunities, Challenges, and Adaptation to Climate Change

As the impacts of climate change intensify, coastal regions face increasing risks from sea level rise, stronger storm surges, and more frequent flooding. While traditional engineering solutions such as seawalls...

Microbial Drivers of Aquatic Organic Matter Degradation and Carbon Cycling

This Research Topic aims to advance our mechanistic understanding of how marine microbial communities mediate organic matter degradation and, in turn, influence marine and freshwater carbon cycling.

River Delta: Scientific Understanding, Risks, and Challenges Faced

River deltas represent dynamic interfaces of river-sea interactions that hold significant ecological, economic, and social value. Serving as fertile habitats, deltas have attracted dense human populations and become centers...

Emerging Techniques in Satellite-Derived Shoreline

Coastal regions are vital to global economic growth, housing a significant portion of the world's population and serving as key centers for economic and infrastructural developments.

Cross-Border Ocean Governance: Institutional Coherence, Policy Alignment and Synergistic Implementation in the Context of Global Blue Economy

This Research Topic focuses on cross-border ocean governance linkages—beyond national blue economy plans—by examining how institutional coherence, policy alignment...

Innovative Breakwater Designs: Optimizing Wave Energy Dissipation and Structural Stability in Coastal Protection

Coastal regions are increasingly exposed to low-frequency and long-period waves driven by climate change, sea-level rise, and intensifying extreme events, posing major challenges to conventional breakwater systems.

Aquatic Habitat Ecology & Conservation: Continental and Marine Ecosystems Connectivity - Vol. II

This Research Topic focuses on the worldwide threats to riverine, estuarine, and adjacent coastal areas, as well as open oceans, and their potential management solutions.