Artificial structures are proliferating along coastlines worldwide, creating new habitat for heterotrophic filter feeders. The energy demand of this heterotrophic biomass is likely to be substantial, but is largely unquantified. Combining in situ surveys, laboratory assays, and information obtained from geographic information systems, we estimated the energy demands of sessile invertebrates found on marine artificial structures worldwide. At least 950,000 metric tons of heterotrophic biomass are associated with commercial ports around the world, emitting over 600 metric tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and consuming 5 million megajoules of energy per day. We propose the concept of a trophic “footprint” of marine urbanization, in which every square meter of artificial structure can negate the primary production of up to 130 square meters of surrounding coastal waters; collectively, these structures not only act as energy sinks and carbon sources, but also potentially reduce the productivity of coastal food webs.

中文翻译：

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海洋城市化的超大营养足迹

人工结构正在世界各地的海岸线上激增，为异养滤食动物创造了新的栖息地。这种异养生物质的能量需求可能很大，但在很大程度上是未量化的。结合原位调查、实验室分析和从地理信息系统获得的信息，我们估计了在全球海洋人工结构上发现的无脊椎动物的能量需求。至少有 950,000 公吨的异养生物质与世界各地的商业港口相关，每天向大气排放超过 600 公吨的二氧化碳并消耗 500 万兆焦耳的能源。我们提出了海洋城市化的营养“足迹”的概念，其中每平方米人工结构可以抵消多达130平方米周围沿海水域的初级生产；总的来说，这些结构不仅充当能量汇和碳源，而且还可能降低沿海食物网的生产力。