Study shows how vertebrates shape the North Sea seafloor
The harbor porpoise pits model. We suggest the following model for the formation of the pits and pit-scours. Phase 1: Harbor porpoise acoustically search for buried fish (sand eel) using their sonar on a flat seafloor. Phase 2: Bottom grubbing similar to the one observed for dolphins and gray whales, resulting in decimeter to meter large pits with a distinct morphology. Phase 3: The pits act as nucleation points for bottom currents to initiate scouring and formation of pit-scours, erosion and sediment transport, which…
