Leadership & Staff Ken Smith Senior Scientist/Marine Ecologist [javascript protected email address] Curriculum Vitae Ken is an open-ocean ecologist with over 40 years experience going to sea and studying extreme ecosystems ranging from the deep ocean to Antarctic icebergs. The main thrust of his research is to understand the impact of a changing climate on deep-sea and polar ecosystems.DELOS Projects All Projects Station M Long-term Time Series Project Station M Long-term Time Series The Station M study is one of the most detailed investigations of any abyssal area in the world ocean. Over this 25-year study, we have continuously monitored the amount of sinking particulate matter through the benthic boundary layer. Antarctic Research Project Antarctic Research Global climate change is causing Antarctic ice shelves to shrink and split apart, yielding thousands of free-drifting icebergs that impact nearby chemistry and ecology, serving as “hotspots” for ocean life. Benthic Rover Project Benthic Rover A mobile lab that methodically charts deep-sea carbon cycles.
Station M Long-term Time Series Project Station M Long-term Time Series The Station M study is one of the most detailed investigations of any abyssal area in the world ocean. Over this 25-year study, we have continuously monitored the amount of sinking particulate matter through the benthic boundary layer.
Antarctic Research Project Antarctic Research Global climate change is causing Antarctic ice shelves to shrink and split apart, yielding thousands of free-drifting icebergs that impact nearby chemistry and ecology, serving as “hotspots” for ocean life.
Lauerman, M.L., R.S. Kaufmann, and K.L. Smith Jr. 1996. Distribution and abundance of epibenthic megafauna at a long time-series station in the abyssal northeast Pacific. Deep Sea Research 1, 43: 1075–1103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hal.2017.10.005
Cael, B.B., K. Bisson, M. Conte, M.T. Duret, C.L. Follett, S.A. Henson, M.C. Honda, M.H. Iversen, D.M. Karl, R.S. Lampitt, C.B. Mouw, F. Muller-Karger, C.A. Pebody, K.L. Smith Jr., D. Talmy. 2021. Open ocean particle flux variability from surface to seafloor. Geophysical Research Letters, 48(9): 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1029/2021GL092895
Ruhl, H.A., B.J. Bett, S.J.M. Hughes, C.H.S. Alt, E.J. Ross, R.S. Lampitt, C.A. Pebody, K.L. Smith, Jr., and D.S.M. Billett. 2014. Links between deep-sea respiration and community dynamics. Ecology, 95(6): 1651–1662. https://doi.org/10.1890/13-0675.1
Kieft, Brian, F.P. Chavez, D.A. Clague, B.W. Hobson, K. Reisenbichler, B.H. Robison, A.D. Sherman, and K.L. Smith. 2018. How autonomous vehicles are enhancing ocean science. In 2018 IEEE/OES Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Workshop (AUV), Porto, Portugal, November 2018, 1–5. IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/AUV.2018.8729705
Milligan, R.J., E.M. Scott, D.O.B. Jones, B.J. Bett, A.J. Jamieson, R. O’Brien, S. Pereira Costa, G.T. Rowe, H.A. Ruhl, K.L. Smith, Jr., P. de Susanne, M.F. Vardaro, D.M. Bailey. 2020. Evidence for seasonal cycles in deep-sea fish abundances: A great migration in the deep SE Atlantic. Journal of Animal Ecology, 89(7): 1593–1603. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2656.13215
Michaud, C.A., C.L. Huffard, K.L. Smith Jr, and C.A. Durkin. 2022. Changes in phytoplankton and biomineral content of particles during episodic fluxes to abyssal depth. Limnology and Oceanography Letters, 7: 342–353, https://doi.org/10.1002/lol2.10255
Smith, Jr., K.L., A.D. Sherman, P.R. McGill, R.G. Henthorn, J. Ferreira, T.P. Connolly, and C.L. Huffard. 2021. Abyssal Benthic Rover, an autonomous vehicle for long-term monitoring of deep-ocean processes. Science Robotics, 6(60): eabl4925. https://doi.org/10.1126/scirobotics.abl4925
Durden, J.M., B.J. Bett, C.L. Huffard, C. Pebody, H.A. Ruhl, and K.L. Smith Jr. 2019. Response of deep-sea deposit-feeders to detrital inputs: A comparison of two abyssal time-series sites. Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography 173(104677): 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr2.2019.104677
Durden, J.M., B.J. Bett, C.L. Huffard, H.A. Ruhl, and K.L. Smith. 2019. Abyssal deposit‐feeding rates consistent with the metabolic theory of ecology. Ecology, 100: 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecy.2564
Huffard, C.L., C.A. Durkin, S.E. Wilson, P.R. McGill, R. Henthorn, and K.L. Smith Jr. 2020. Temporally-resolved mechanisms of deep-ocean particle flux and impact on the seafloor carbon cycle in the northeast Pacific. Deep Sea Research Part II Topical Studies in Oceanography, 173: 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr2.2020.104763
Laguione-Marchais, C., B.J. Bett, G.L.J. Paterson, K.L. Smith Jr., and H.A. Ruhl. 2020. Using metabolic theory to assess structure and function in the deep-sea benthos, including microbial and metazoan dominance. Deep Sea Research Part II Topical Studies in Oceanography, 173: 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr2.2020.104762
Shaw, T.J., C. Boucher, C.L. Huffard, and K.L. Smith Jr. 2020. Model study of organic carbon attenuation and oxygen mass transfer in persistent aggregate layers in the deep sea. Deep Sea Research Part II Topical Studies in Oceanography, 173: 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr2.2020.104760
Smith Jr., K.L., C.L. Huffard, and H.A. Ruhl. 2020. Thirty-year time series study at a station in the abyssal NE Pacific: An introduction. Deep Sea Research Part II Topical Studies in Oceanography, 173: 1–4. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr2.2020.104764
Miguez-Salas, O., C.L. Huffard, K.L. Smith Jr., P.R. McGill, and F.J. Rodriguez-Tovar. 2020. Faunal assemblage changes, bioturbation and benthic storms at an abyssal station in the northeastern Pacific. Deep Sea Research Part 1: Oceanographic Research Papers, 160(103277). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr.2020.103277
Kuhnz, L.A., H.A. Ruhl, C.L. Huffard, and K.L. Smith. 2020. Benthic megafauna assemblage change over three decades in the abyss: Variations from species to functional groups. Deep Sea Research Part II Topical Studies in Oceanography, 173(104761). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr2.2020.104761
Smith Jr., K.L., C.L. Huffard, P.R. McGill, A.D. Sherman, T.P. Connolly, S. Von Thun, and L.A. Kuhnz. 2019. Gelatinous zooplankton abundance and benthic boundary layer currents in the abyssal Northeast Pacific: A three-year time series study. Deep Sea Research Part II Topical Studies in Oceanography, 173(104654): 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr2.2019.104654
Smith Jr., K.L., H.A. Ruhl, C.L. Huffard, M. Messié, M. Kahru. 2018. Episodic organic carbon fluxes from surface ocean to abyssal depths during long-term monitoring in NE Pacific. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 115: 12235–12240. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1814559115
Dunlop, K.M., T. Jarvis, K.J. Benoit-Bird, C.M. Waluk, D.W. Caress, H. Thomas, and K.L. Smith Jr. 2018. Detection and characterization of deep-sea benthopelagic animals from an autonomous underwater vehicle with a multibeam echosounder: a proof of concept and description of data-processing methods. Deep Sea Research 1, 134: 64–69. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr.2018.01.006
Smith Jr., K.L., A.D. Sherman, P.R. McGill, R.G. Henthorn, J. Ferreira, and C.L. Huffard. 2017. Evolution of monitoring an abyssal time-series station in the northeast Pacific over 28 years. Oceanography, 30: 72–81. https://doi.org/10.5670/oceanog.2017.425
Smith Jr., K.L., C.L. Huffard, A.D. Sherman, and H.A. Ruhl. 2016. Decadal change in sediment community oxygen consumption in the abyssal northeast Pacific. Aquatic Geochemistry, 22: 401–417. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10498-016-9293-3
McGill, P.R., R.G. Henthorn, L.E. Bird, C.L. Huffard, D.V. Klimov, and K.L. Smith Jr. 2016. Sedimentation event sensor: New ocean instrument for in situ imaging and fluorometry of sinking particulate matter. Limnology and Oceanography: Methods, 14: 853–863. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/lom3.10131
Laguionie-Marchais, C., G.L.J. Paterson, B.J. Bett, K.L. Smith, and H.A. Ruhl. 2016. Inter-annual species-level variations in an abyssal polychaete assemblage (Sta. M, NE Pacific, 4000m). Progress in Oceanography, 140: 43–53. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pocean.2015.10.006
Huffard, C.L., L.A. Kuhnz, L. Lemon, A.D. Sherman, and K.L. Smith Jr. 2016. Demographic indicators of change in a deposit-feeding abyssal holothurian community (Station M, 4000m). Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers, 109: 27–39. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr.2016.01.002
Dunlop, K.M., D. van Oevelen, H.A. Ruhl, C.L. Huffard, L.A. Kuhnz, and K.L. Smith Jr. 2016. Carbon cycling in the deep eastern North Pacific benthic food web: Investigating the effect of organic carbon input. Limnology and Oceanography, 61: 1956–1968. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/lno.10345
Smith Jr, K., M. Messié, A. Sherman, C. Huffard, B. Hobson, H. Ruhl, and A. Boetius. 2015. "Navigating the uncertain future of global oceanic time series." EOS, 96: 28 October 2015. http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2015eo038095
Laguionie-Marchais, C., L.A. Kuhnz, C.L. Huffard, H.A. Ruhl, K.L. Smith, Jr. 2015. Spatial and temporal variation in sponge spicule patches at Station M, northeast Pacific. Marine Biology, 162: 617–624. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00227-014-2609-1
Dunlop, K.M., L.A. Kuhnz, H.A. Ruhl, C.L. Huffard, D.W. Caress, R.G. Henthorn, B.W. Hobson, P. McGill, K.L. Smith Jr. 2015. An evaluation of deep-sea benthic megafauna length measurements obtained with laser and stereo camera methods. Deep Sea Research I, 96: 38–48. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr.2014.11.003
Smith Jr., K.L., A.D. Sherman, C.L. Huffard, P.R. McGill, R. Henthorn, S. Von Thun, H.A. Ruhl, M. Kahru, and M.D. Ohman. 2014. Large salp bloom export from the upper ocean and benthic community response in the abyssal northeast Pacific: Day to week resolution. Limnology and Oceanography, 59: 745–757. http://dx.doi.org/10.4319/lo.2014.59.3.0745
Huffard, C.L., S. von Thun, A.D. Sherman, K. Sealey, and K.L. Smith Jr. 2014. Pelagic Sargassum community change over a 40-year period: Temporal and spatial variability. Marine Biology, 161: 2735–2751. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00227-014-2539-y
Kuhnz, L.A., H.A. Ruhl, C.L. Huffard, and K.L. Smith Jr. 2014. Rapid changes and long-term cycles in the benthic megafaunal community observed over 24 years in the abyssal northeast Pacific. Progress in Oceanography, 124: 1–11. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pocean.2014.04.007
Vardaro, M.F., P.M. Bagley, D.M. Bailey, B.J. Bett, D.O.B. Jones, R.J. Milligan, I.G. Priede, C.M. Risien, G.T. Rowe, H.A. Ruhl, B.B. Sangolay, K.L. Smith Jr., A. Walls, and J. Clarke. 2013. A southeast Atlantic deep-ocean observatory: First experiences and results. Limnology and Oceanography: Methods, 11: 304–315. http://dx.doi.org/10.4319/lom.2013.11.304
Wilson, S.E., H.A. Ruhl, and K.L. Smith Jr. 2013. Zooplankton fecal pellet flux in the abyssal northeast Pacific: a 15 year time-series study. Limnology and Oceanography, 58: 881–892. http://dx.doi.org/10.4319/lo.2013.58.3.0881
Smith Jr., K.L., H.A. Ruhl, M. Kahru, C.L. Huffard, and A.D. Sherman. 2013. Deep ocean communities impacted by changing climate over 24 y in the abyssal northeast Pacific Ocean. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 110: 19838–19841. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1315447110
Smith Jr., K.L., A.D. Sherman, T.J. Shaw, and J. Sprintall. 2013. Icebergs as unique Lagrangian ecosystems in polar seas. Annual Review of Marine Science, 5: 269–287. http://dx.doi.org/10.1146/annurev-marine-121211-172317
Laguione-Marchais, C., D.S.M. Billett, G.L.D. Paterson, H.A. Ruhl, E.H. Soto, K.L. Smith Jr., and S. Thatje. 2013. Interannual dynamics of abyssal polychaete communities in the North East Pacific and North East Atlantic - A family-level study. Deep Sea Research I, 75: 175–186. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr.2012.12.007
Jeffreys, R.M., C. Burke, A.J. Jamieson, B.E. Narayanaswamy, H.A. Ruhl, K.L. Smith Jr., and U. Witte. 2013. Feeding preferences of abyssal macrofauna inferred from in situ pulse chase experiments. PLoS ONE, 8: e80510. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0080510
Kahn, A.S., J.B. Geller, H.M. Reiswig, K.L. Smith Jr. 2013. Bathydorus laniger and Docosaccus maculatur (Lyssacinosida; Hexactinellida): Two new species of glass sponge from the abyssal eastern North Pacific Ocean. Zootaxa, 3646: 386–400. http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3646.4.4
Vernet, M., Smith Jr., K.L., Cefarelli, A.O., Helly, J.J., Kaufmann, R.S., Lin, H., Long, D.G., Murray, A.E., Robison, B.H., Ruhl, H.A., Shaw, T.J., Sherman, A.D., Sprintall, J., Stephenson Jr., G.R., Stuart, K.M., Twining, B.S. (2012). Islands of ice: Influence of free-drifting Antarctic icebergs on pelagic marine ecosystems. Oceanography 25: 38-39. http://dx.doi.org/10.5670/oceanog.2012.72
Moeseneder, M.M., Smith Jr., K.L., Ruhl, H.A., Jones, D.O.B., Witte, U., Prosser, J.I. (2012). Temporal and depth-related differences in prokaryotic communities in abyssal sediments associated with particulate organic carbon flux. Deep Sea Research I 70: 26-35. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr.2012.07.010
Kahn, A.S., Ruhl, H.A., Smith, K.L. (2012). Temporal changes in deep-sea sponge populations are correlated to changes in surface climate and food supply. Deep Sea Research I 70: 36-41. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr.2012.08.001
Drazen, J.C., Bailey, D.M., Ruhl, H.A., Smith Jr., K.L. (2012). The role of carrion supply in the abundance of deep-water fish off California. PloS One 7: e49332. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0049332
Smith Jr., K.L. (2011). Free-drifting icebergs in the Southern Ocean: An overview. Deep-Sea Research II 58: 1277-1284.
Shaw, T.J., Raiswell, R., Hexel, C.R., Vu, H.P., Moore, W.S., Dudgeon, R., Smith Jr., K.L. (2011). Input, composition, and potential impact of terrigenous material from free-drifting icebergs in the Weddell Sea. Deep-Sea Research II 58: 1376-1383. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr2.2010.11.012
Shaw, T.J., Smith Jr., K.L., Hexel, C.R., Dudgeon, R., Sherman, A.D., Vernet, M., Kaufmann, R.S. (2011). 234Th-based carbon export around free-drifting icebergs in the Southern Ocean. Deep-Sea Research II 58: 1384-1391. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr2.2010.11.019
Sherman, A.D., Hobson, B.W., McGill, P.R., Davis, R.E., McClune, M.C., Smith Jr., K.L. (2011). Lagrangian sediment traps for sampling at discrete depths beneath free-drifting icebergs. Deep-Sea Research II-Topical Studies in oceanography 58: 1327-1335. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr2.2010.11.008
Smith Jr., K.L., Sherman, A.D., Shaw, T.J., Murray, A.E., Vernet, M., Cefarelli, A.O. (2011). Carbon export associated with free-drifting icebergs in the Southern Ocean. Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography 58: 1485-1496. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr2.2010.11.027
Robison, B.H., Vernet, M., Smith Jr., K.L. (2011). Algal communities attached to free-drifting, Antarctic icebergs. Deep-Sea Research II 58: 1451-1456. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr2.2010.11.024
Kouridaki, I., Polymenakou, N.P., Tselepides, A., Mandalakis, M., Smith Jr., K.L. (2010). Phylogenetic diversity of sediment bacteria from the deep northeastern Pacific ocean: Comparison with the deep eastern Mediterranean Sea. International Journal of Microbiology 13: . http://dx.doi.org/10.2436/20.1501.01.119
Sherman, A.D., Smith Jr., K.L. (2009). Deep-sea benthic boundary layer communities and food supply: A long-term monitoring strategy. Deep-Sea Research Part II 56: 1754-1762. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr2.2009.05.020
Smith Jr., K.L., Ruhl, H.A., Bett, B.J., Billett, D.S.M., Lampitt, R., Kaufmann, R.S. (2009). Climate, carbon cycling and deep-ocean ecosystems. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 106: 19211-19218.
Vardaro, M.F., Ruhl, H.A., Smith Jr., K.L. (2009). Climate variation, carbon flux, and bioturbation in the abyssal North Pacific. Limnology and Oceanography 54: 2081-2088. http://dx.doi.org/10.4319/lo.2009.54.6.2081
McGill, P., Sherman, A.D., Hobson, B., Henthorn, R., Smith Jr., K.L. (2009). Initial deployments of the Rover: An autonomous bottom-transecting instrument platform. Journal of Ocean Technology 4: 54-70.
Holland, N.D., Jones, W.J., Ellena, J.A., Ruhl, H.A., Smith Jr., K.L. (2009). A new deep-sea species of epibenthic acorn worm (Hemichordata, Enteropneusta). Zoosystema 31: 333-346. http://dx.doi.org/10.5252/z2009n2a6
Cline, D., Edgington, D.R., Smith, K.L., Vardaro, M.F., Kuhnz, L. (2009). An automated event detection and classification system for abyssal time-series images of Station M. Proceedings of the Marine Technology Society/Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Oceans Conference : .
Ruhl, H.A., Ellena, J.A., Smith Jr., K.L. (2008). Connections between climate, food limitation, and carbon cycling in abyssal sediment communities. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 105: 17006-17011. http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0803898105
Smith Jr., K.L., Ruhl, H.A., Kaufmann, R.S., Kahru, M. (2008). Tracing abyssal food supply back to upper-ocean processes over a 17-year time series in the Northeast Pacific. Limnology and Oceanography 53: 2655-2667.
Drazen, J.C., Popp, B.N., Choy, C.A., Clemente, T., DeForest, L., Smith Jr., K.L. (2008). Bypassing the abyssal benthic food web: Macrourid diet in the eastern North Pacific inferred from stomach content and stable isotope analyses. Limnology and Oceanography 53: 2644-2654. http://dx.doi.org/10.4319/lo.2008.53.6.2644
Booth, J.A.T., Ruhl, H.A., Lovell, L.L., Smith Jr., K.L. (2008). Size frequency dynamics of northeast Pacific abyssal ophiuroids (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea). Marine Biology 154: 933-941.
Vardaro, M.F., Parmley, D., Smith Jr., K.L. (2007). A study of possible "reef effects" caused by a long-term time-lapse camera in the deep North Pacific. Deep-Sea Research Part I 54: 1231-1240. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr.2007.05.004
Smith Jr., K.L., Robison, B.H., Helly, J.J., Kaufmann, R.S., Ruhl, H.A., Shaw, T.J., Twining, B.S., Vernet, M. (2007). Free-drifting icebergs: Hot spots of chemical and biological enrichment in the Weddell Sea. Science 317: 478-485.
McGill, P., Sherman, A.D., Hobson, B., Henthorn, R., Chase, A.C., Smith Jr., K.L. (2007). Initial deployments of the Benthic Rover, an autonomous bottom-transecting instrument platform for long-term measurements in deep benthic environments. Proceedings of the Marine Technology Society / Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Oceans Conference : .
Smith Jr., K.L., Baldwin, R.J., Ruhl, H.A., Kahru, M., Mitchel, B.G., Kaufmann, R.S. (2006). Climate effect on food supply to depths greater than 4,000 meters in the Northeast Pacific. Limnology and Oceanography 51: 166-176.
McGill, P., Sherman, A.D., Hobson, B., Uhlman, A.H., Glatts, R.C., Smith, K.L. (2006). Rover II: An autonomous bottom-transecting instrument platform for long-term measurements in deep benthic environments. Proceedings of the 13th Ocean Sciences Meeting : .
Bailey, D.M., Ruhl, H.A., Smith Jr., K.L. (2006). Long-term changes in benthopelagic fish abundance in the abyssal northeast Pacific Ocean. Ecology 87: 549-555. http://dx.doi.org/10.1890/04-1832
Kaufman, R.S., Smith Jr., K.L., Baldwin, R.J., Glatts, R.C., Robison, Bruce H., Reisenbichler, Kim R. (1995). Epipelagic communities in the northwestern Weddell Sea: Results from acoustic, trawl, and trapping surveys. Antarctic Journal of the United States 28: 138-141.
Kaufman, R.S., Smith Jr., K.L., Baldwin, R.J., Glatts, R.C., Robison, Bruce H., Reisenbichler, Kim R. (1995). Effects of seasonal pack ice on the distribution of macrozooplankton and micronekton in the northwestern Weddell Sea. Marine Biology 124: 387-397.