https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/13767 2026-08-06T20:27:32Z 2026-08-06T20:27:32Z Hillman, Jess I. T. Watson, Sally Joan Maier, Katherine Leigh Hoffmann, Jasper Justus Lutz Bland, Kyle J. Warnke, Fynn Pecher, Ingo A. Gorman, Andrew Robert Davy, Bryan Bull, Suzanne Woelz, Susi https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/148421 2026-08-06T10:56:39Z 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: The diverse morphology of pockmarks around Aotearoa New Zealand Authors: Hillman, Jess I. T.; Watson, Sally Joan; Maier, Katherine Leigh; Hoffmann, Jasper Justus Lutz; Bland, Kyle J.; Warnke, Fynn; Pecher, Ingo A.; Gorman, Andrew Robert; Davy, Bryan; Bull, Suzanne; Woelz, Susi Abstract: Seafloor pockmarks are abundant around Aotearoa New Zealand, occurring across a diverse range of tectonic, sedimentological and geomorphological settings. Globally, the formation and source of pockmarks is widely researched because they: 1) have potential links to subsurface hydrocarbon systems, 2) can provide important habitats for benthic organisms and 3) may be indications of fluid escape pathways or areas of sediment disturbance, which influence seafloor stability and could pose a risk to infrastructure. Pockmarks are widely associated with fluid release (such as gas or water) from subsurface reservoirs. However, the formation of pockmarks, the processes that shape and modify their morphology over time, and the relative timing of these events, remains enigmatic. Here, we compile the first national database of over 30,000 pockmarks around Aotearoa New Zealand, allowing us to begin to comprehend the dynamic processes that shape and affect pockmarks by exploring regional and inter-regional patterns in pockmark geometry and seabed characteristics. This compilation reveals several significant trends, including a distinct lack of correlation between active seafloor seeps and pockmarks, and a strong association of pockmarks with mud-rich seafloor substrate. Furthermore, we highlight key knowledge gaps that require further investigation moving forward, including a lack of constraint on the timing of pockmark formation, and limited modelling of the processes involved in their formation.

2023-01-01T00:00:00Z Deidun, Alan Prieto Gomez, Laura Gauci, Adam Zammit, Audrey Ramirez Montano, David Fernando Corsini-Foka, Maria Zava, Bruno Marrone, Alessio https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/148185 2026-07-22T08:28:39Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Lessons learned from the “spot the alien” citizen science campaign (2022–2025) in Maltese waters and the second record of Cephalopholis hemistiktos in the Mediterranean Authors: Deidun, Alan; Prieto Gomez, Laura; Gauci, Adam; Zammit, Audrey; Ramirez Montano, David Fernando; Corsini-Foka, Maria; Zava, Bruno; Marrone, Alessio Abstract: Introduction: Citizen science is increasingly recognised as a valuable approach for monitoring marine non-indigenous species (NIS), range-expanding species (RES), and cryptogenic taxa. This study evaluates the outcomes of the Spot the Alien campaign in Maltese waters between 2022 and 2025. Methods: A total of 441 expert-validated records of 30 NIS, RES and cryptogenic species were analysed to assess temporal and spatial reporting patterns, species richness, habitat and observation-method associations, reporting hotspots, and the influence of outreach activities. Results: Reporting effort and species richness increased throughout the study, with 2025 yielding the highest number of records. Species accumulation and rarefaction analyses indicated that the campaign documented a substantial proportion of the detectable target fauna. Reporting patterns varied significantly among seasons, habitats, and observer groups, highlighting the influence of both ecological factors and reporting behaviour. The campaign also produced the second Mediterranean record of the Indo-Pacific grouper Cephalopholis hemistiktos. Discussion: The Spot the Alien campaign demonstrates that expert-validated citizen science can provide reliable, cost-effective support for the surveillance of marine bioinvasions. The findings highlight the importance of sustained public engagement, rigorous validation, and long-term monitoring to improve early detection and inform future citizen-science initiatives.

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z Deidun, Alan Zava, Bruno Corsini-Foka, Maria Sciberras, Arnold Marrone, Alessio https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/147852 2026-07-07T10:02:11Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: First record of the Devil Firefish Pterois Miles (Bennett, 1828) (Actinopterygii: Scorpaenidae) from Maltese coastal waters Authors: Deidun, Alan; Zava, Bruno; Corsini-Foka, Maria; Sciberras, Arnold; Marrone, Alessio Abstract: A specimen of the invasive Devil firefish, Pterois miles (Bennett, 1828), was recorded for the first time in Maltese waters in January 2026. The individual was caught by a recreational angler at Migraħ Ferħa (north-west Malta) at a depth of 10 m using a paternoster rig baited with squid. The fish was photographed and then released. This record marks a further expansion of the P. miles distribution in the central Mediterranean Sea and highlights the importance of citizen science initiatives in the early detection of marine non-indigenous species.; Un esemplare della specie invasiva Pterois miles (Bennett, 1828), nota come pesce scorpione o pesce leone, è stato segnalato per la prima volta nelle acque maltesi nel gennaio 2026. Il pesce è stato catturato da un pescatore sportivo a Migraħ Ferħa (costa nord-occidentale di Malta) a una profondità di 10 m, utilizzando una lenza paternoster provvista di calamaro come esca. Una volta fotografato, l’esemplare è stato rilasciato. Questa segnalazione rappresenta un ulteriore ampliamento della distribuzione di P. miles nel Mediterraneo centrale e sottolinea l’importanza delle iniziative di scienza partecipativa per l’individuazione precoce di specie marine non-indigene.

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z Ibekwe, Kelechi N. Oguadinma, Vivian O. Okoro, Victory K. Aniwetalu, Emmanuel Lanisa, Ademola Ahaneku, Chibuzo V. https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/147570 2026-06-22T07:28:27Z 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Reservoir characterization review in sedimentary basins Authors: Ibekwe, Kelechi N.; Oguadinma, Vivian O.; Okoro, Victory K.; Aniwetalu, Emmanuel; Lanisa, Ademola; Ahaneku, Chibuzo V. Abstract: Evaluating the subsurface characteristics of reservoirs is an important part of gas storage, hydrocarbon exploration, and production in sedimentary basins. This process combines geological, geophysical, and engineering data to understand the subsurface geology, and fluid distribution, determine reserves and predict the fluid movement in the reservoir. And in the case of empty reservoir, the storage capacity, sealing strength is analysed. The primary goal of reservoir characterization is to create a precise and dependable reservoir model to maximize the production procedure and reduce the associated risks of hydrocarbon exploration and production. This review examines different approaches used for reservoir characterization in sedimentary basins, including geological, geophysical, and engineering methods. Each method's advantages and disadvantages are discussed, alongside their uses in different reservoir contexts. The importance of combining multiple lines of evidence to enhance the accuracy of the reservoir models is also examined.

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