Sanctuary for vulnerable Arctic species at the Borealis Mud Volcano

Giuliana Panieri (), Claudio Argentino, Alessandra Savini, Bénédicte Ferré, Fereshteh Hemmateenejad, Mari H. Eilertsen, Rune Mattingsdal, Sofia P. Ramalho, Tor Eidvin, Sarah Youngs, Beckett Casper Colson, Anna Pauline Miranda Michel, Jason Alexander Kapit, Denise Swanborn, Alex D. Rogers, Ines Barrenechea Angeles, Stéphane Polteau, Dimitri Kalenitchenko, Stefan Buenz and Adriano Mazzini
Additional contact information
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
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

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-11

Abstract: 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.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-55712-x

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