Dr Mar Benavides
Biography
For more info about my research, team and projects, please visit www.ocean-bridges.net
My research bridges the spatiotemporal scales between diazotrophs (nitrogen-fixers) and global biogeochemical cycles. Ranging from cold and nutrient-rich waters such as the mesopelagic ocean or coastal upwelling ecosystems to ocean deserts, I seek to understand which factors control the magnitude, distribution and diversity of nitrogen fixation in the ocean. To this end I combine nanotechnology, molecular biology, biogeochemistry and modelling approaches.
Summary CV
- 73 publications in peer-reviewed journals (2444 citations, h-index = 28)
- 37 Keynote speaker, lecture, and seminar invitations
- Associate Editor Limnology & Oceanography Letters
- Associate Editor Global Biogeochemical Cycles
- High-Seas French Oceanographic Commission member (CNFH)
- NERC Cruise Programme Review Group member (CPRG)
- 2025 Association for the Sciences of Limnology & Oceanography (ASLO) Yentsch-Schindler award
- 2022 Provence Department Research Prize
- 2021 French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) early career researcher medal
- 2019 International Association for the Physical Sciences of the Oceans (IAPSO) early career researcher medal
Committee Memberships
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Associate Editor Limnology & Oceanography Letters
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Associate Editor Global Biogeochemical Cycles
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Member of NERC's Cruise Programme Review Group (CPRG)
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Member of the French High-Seas Oceanographic Fleet Commission (CNFH)
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Meber of the BioGeoSCAPES Science Plan Writing Team
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Member of the Aquatic N2-Fixation Research Coordination Network
Projects
Current projects
- EXPAND: will nitrogEn fiXaTion offset nitrogen dePletion in expAnding oceaN Deserts?, PI (ERC Consolidator Grant, EU)
- FIN-POD: Fjords as natural incubators to understand polar ocean diazotrophy, co-lead (NERC, UK)
- VICTOR: Viral infection modulation of diazotrophs community dynamics and nitrogen fixation rates in the Indian Ocean Gyre, co-PI (Royal Society Wolfson Visiting Fellowship, UK)
Past projects
- POET: Particles as niches for nOn-cyanobactErial diazoTrophs, co-PI (Transatlantic Research Partnership, USA-France)
- ANITA: Architecture and dyNamics of marIne parTicle colonizAtion, PI (Amidex, France)
- FIESTA: “FInE scale dynamicS of diazoTrophs in the oceAn”, PI (ANR-JCJC, France)
- PANDA: Particles as niches for non-cyanobacterial diazotrophs, PI (EC2CO, France)
- MANIOC: iMpact of particle microbial colonisation on Nitrogen cyclIng in the Ocean, PI (A*Midex, Institut Océans, AMU, France)
- DEFINE2: “Diazotroph activity and diversity shaped by fine scale ocean dynamics”, PI (LEFE, France)
- DOGMA: “Diazotrophs and OrGanic Matter under climAte change”, co-PI (EC2CO, France)
- IDEFIX: “Dinitrogen Fixation in the Indian Ocean: an interbasin and seasonal comparison”, PI (Pure Ocean Fund, France)
- FIGURE: “Fine scales shaping nitrogen fIxation in the GUlf stream”, PI (Eurofleets)
- ART: “AggRegation processes in Trichodesmium”, PI (EC2CO, France)
- DINDE: “Dinitrogen Fixation in the Indian Ocean: an interbasin and seasonal comparison”, co-PI (Indo French Centre for the Promotion of Advanced Research, France-India)
- DEFINE: “Diazotroph activity and diversity shaped by fine scale ocean dynamics”, PI (LEFE, France)
- EMPANADAS: “Exploring Microbes in marine PArticles: fuNction, trAits and Diversity Associated”, co-PI (Axes Transverses MIO, France)
- NOTION: “NitrOgen fixers structuring phyToplankton bIodiversity in the OceaN under climate change”, PI (BNP Paribas Foundation Climate & Biodiversity initiative)
- TAPAS: “Transfert et cAractéristiques des PArticules dans les Systèmes océaniques”, co-PI (Axes Transverses MIO, France)
- OASIS: Oceanic nitrogen fixation Across SpatIotemporal Scales”, co-PI (Thomas Jefferson Foundation, USA-France)
- REACH: Remineralization of black carbon (BC) particles in coastal waters off Halong Bay (Vietnam) under different oxidation states”, PI (Action Sud IRD, France)
- Black Carbon project, PI (Action Sud IRD, France)
Roles Provided
- Senior Research Scientist (NOC)
- Chargée de Recherche Hors Classe (IRD, France)
- Co-lead of NOC's Arctic Transformation Network Theme 3 "Ecosystems and Biodiversity"
- Contributor to NOC's European Project Group
- Co-organiser of Joint Biogeochemistry meetings (University of Southampton and NOC)
Publications
Tedetti, Marc 
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3212-6890; Guigue, Catherine; Mahieu, Léo ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7314-6874; Martinot, Pauline L. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0400-9665; Benavides, Mar; Dupouy, Cécile; Nunige, Sandra; Pulido-Villena, Elvira ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5436-2133; Dimier, Céline ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0685-3333; Tilliette, Chloé; Bonnet, Sophie; Guieu, Cécile; Lefèvre, Dominique.
2026
Dissolved organic matter (DOC, CDOM, FDOM) in the western Tropical South Pacific: Depth- and subregion-resolved variability, and hydrothermal influence.
Progress in Oceanography, 242, 103664.
1, pp.
10.1016/j.pocean.2025.103664
2026
Article
Panthalil, Bhavya S ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0189-4005; Vogts, Angela ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4261-3123; Benavides, Mar ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9502-108X; Harke, Matthew J ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3451-3042; Hassenrück, Christiane ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1909-1726; Subramaniam, Ajit ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1316-5827; Montoya, Joseph P; Voss, Maren ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5827-9062.
2025
Novel pennate diatom symbionts support high N2 fixation rates.
ISME Communications, 5 (1).
10.1093/ismeco/ycaf190
2025
Article
Turk-Kubo, Kendra ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9847-7514; Benavides, Mar ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9502-108X; Mills, Matthew M ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9738-5589; Smith, Sarah R ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1105-3127.
2025
Rhizosolenia mat diatoms associate with nitrogen-fixing microbes.
ISME Communications, 5 (1).
10.1093/ismeco/ycaf159
2025
Article
Tarling, Geraint A. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3753-5899; Abrahamsen, E. Povl ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5924-5350; Aksenov, Yevgeny ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6132-3434; Anderson, Madeline P.B.C. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5967-311X; Arrowsmith, Carol; Baker, Chelsey A. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0840-2333; Barry, Chris ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1844-848X; Belcher, Anna ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9583-5910; Benavides, Mar; Bischof, Milo J.D.; Boland, Emma J.D. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2430-7763; Bowes, Mike ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0673-1934; Brearley, J. Alexander ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3700-8017; Brown, Peter J. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1152-1114; Burson, Amanda ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0729-3793; Buzzard, Sammie C.; Callaghan, Nathan ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0273-6161; Coët, Arthur; Cook, Kathryn B. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8590-3011; Coombs, Sarah; Evans, Chris D. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7052-354X; Fielding, Sophie ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3152-4742; Ford, Elaina; Fournier, Isabelle ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0065-2338; Freer, Jennifer J. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3947-9261; Garcia-Martin, E. Elena ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4807-3287; Ghosh, V.R. Dipin; Giering, Sarah L.C. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3090-1876; Grant, Alanna ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0005-7203-3260; Griffiths, Huw J. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1764-223X; Hamilton, Ruta; Hendry, Katherine R. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0790-5895; Hill, Simeon L. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1441-8769; Hubot, Nathan; Hunter, Aidan ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2621-9978; Johnston, Nadine M. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2211-1492; Katavouta, Anna ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1587-4996; Kitson, Ezra ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9168-7001; Leng, Melanie J. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1115-5166; Lewis, Isabel H.; Linse, Katrin ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3477-3047; Lofts, Stephen ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3627-851X; Manno, Clara ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3337-6173; Martin, Adrian P. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1202-8612; Marzocchi, Alice ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3430-3574; Mawji, Edward; Mayor, Daniel J. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1295-0041; McKenzie, Rebecca M. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-9928-8780; Meijers, Andrew J.S. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3876-7736; Meredith, Michael P. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7342-7756; Munday, David R. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1920-708X; Pereira, M. Glória ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3740-0019; O'Brien, Alexandra V.E. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8742-0010; Olszewska, Justyna P. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4910-2206; Painter, Stuart C.; Palmieri, Julien ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0226-5243; Patel, Shailee; Pickard, Amy E. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1069-3720; Richt, Jessica J.R.; Rynders, Stefanie ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1334-4577; Sanders, Rachael N.C. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1936-8772; Saunders, Ryan A. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1157-7222; Shepherd, Andrew; Slater, Thomas; Spears, Bryan M. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0876-0405; Stowasser, Gabriele ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0595-0772; Swiggs, Amy E.; Taylor, Laura R.; ten Hoopen, Petra ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4242-4015; Thorpe, Sally E. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5193-6955; Timms-Wilson, Tracey M.; van Soest, Maud A.J. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4656-515X; Venables, Hugh J. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6445-8462; Wright, Zoe; Yool, Andrew ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9879-2776; Young, Emma ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7069-6109.
2025
BIOPOLE: biogeochemical processes and
ecosystem functioning in changing polar systems
and their global impacts.
Research Ideas & Outcomes, 11, e163757.
10.3897/rio.11.e163757
2025
Article
Fulweiler, Robinson W. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0871-4246; Rinehart, Shelby; Taylor, Jason ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9240-2151; Kelly, Michelle C. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0123-2527; Berberich, Megan E. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5363-892X; Ray, Nicholas E. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1959-3120; Oczkowski, Autumn ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2421-0956; Balint, Sawyer ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1088-0358; Benavides, Mar ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9502-108X; Church, Matthew J. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6166-8579; Loeks, Brianna; Newell, Silvia ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0684-3100; Olofsson, Malin ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4170-9975; Oppong, Jimmy Clifford ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8678-4931; Roley, Sarah S. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6733-9338; Vizza, Carmella ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9269-0357; Wilson, Samuel T.; Chowdhury, Subhadeep ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3508-9805; Groffman, Peter ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8371-6255; Scott, J. Thad ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9487-9698; Marcarelli, Amy M. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4175-9211.
2025
Global importance of nitrogen fixation across inland and coastal waters.
Science, 388 (6752).
1205-1209.
10.1126/science.adt1511
2025
Article
Coët, Arthur; Bastos, Cécile Carpaneto; Lechelon, Mathias; Hawley, Ruth; Flanagan, Oliver; Lohan, Maeve C; Ronceray, Pierre; Hopkins, Joanne E ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1504-3671; Mahaffey, Claire; Benavides, Mar.
2025
Dynamics of diazotroph particle colonization in the Arctic Ocean.
The ISME Journal, 19 (1).
10.1093/ismejo/wraf098
2025
Article
Reeder, Christian F. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0866-3987; Filella, Alba ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9675-8884; Voznyuk, Anna ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0005-1675-9577; Coët, Arthur ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-4674-6349; James, Reece C.; Rohrer, Tully ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4720-0678; White, Angelicque E.; Berline, Léo; Grosso, Olivier; van Dijken, Gert ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9587-6317; Arrigo, Kevin R. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7364-876X; Mills, Matthew M. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9738-5589; Turk-Kubo, Kendra A. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9847-7514; Benavides, Mar ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9502-108X.
2025
Unveiling the contribution of particle-associated non-cyanobacterial diazotrophs to N2 fixation in the upper mesopelagic North Pacific Gyre.
Communications Biology, 8 (1).
10.1038/s42003-025-07542-w
2025
Article
Fulweiler, Robinson W. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0871-4246; Berberich, Megan E. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5363-892X; Rinehart, Shelby A. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9820-1350; Taylor, Jason M. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9240-2151; Kelly, Michelle C. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0123-2527; Ray, Nicholas E. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1959-3120; Oczkowski, Autumn ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2421-0956; Balint, Sawyer J. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1088-0358; Geisser, Alexandra H. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-0121-8255; Mahoney, Catherine R. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-5279-0464; Benavides, Mar ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9502-108X; Church, Matthew J. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6166-8579; Loeks, Brianna ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7844-411X; Newell, Silvia E.; Olofsson, Malin ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4170-9975; Oppong, Jimmy C. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8678-4931; Roley, Sarah S. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6733-9338; Vizza, Carmella ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9269-0357; Wilson, Samuel T.; Groffman, Peter M.; Scott, J. Thad ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9487-9698; Marcarelli, Amy M. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4175-9211.
2025
A global dataset of nitrogen fixation rates across inland and coastal waters.
Limnology and Oceanography Letters.
10.1002/lol2.10459
2025
Article