https://tecnoscientifica.com/journal/torf <p>Tropical Oceanographic Research Frontiers (TORF) is an international, peer-reviewed platform dedicated to advancing scientific understanding of oceanographic processes, marine ecosystems, and coastal dynamics within tropical and subtropical regions. The journal emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches that integrate physical, chemical, biological, and geological oceanography to address critical challenges affecting tropical marine environments. TORF welcomes innovative research that explores the interactions between ocean systems, climate variability, and human activities, aiming to support sustainable ocean management and resilience of tropical coastal communities. The publication serves as a bridge between fundamental science and applied solutions, promoting collaboration among researchers, policymakers, and practitioners across global tropical regions.</p> Tecno Scientifica Publishing en-US Tropical Oceanographic Research Frontiers https://tecnoscientifica.com/journal/torf/article/view/900 <p>Marine nitrogen cycling plays a critical role in regulating ocean productivity, biogeochemical fluxes, and the global carbon cycle. This mini-review synthesizes recent advances in understanding nitrogen transformations, from fixation by diverse diazotrophs to losses via denitrification, anammox, and DNRA, highlighting their ecological and biogeochemical significance. Recent studies have revealed the complex interactions between microbial communities and environmental drivers, including nutrient availability, oxygen minimum zones, stratification, and climate-induced warming. Technological innovations such as metagenomics, metatranscriptomics, proteomics, autonomous sensors, and compound-specific isotope analysis have provided unprecedented insights into nitrogen cycling dynamics, allowing high-resolution spatial and temporal assessments. The review also emphasizes the impacts of anthropogenic stressors, including eutrophication, pollution, and emerging contaminants like microplastics, on nitrogen fluxes and microbial function. Despite these advances, substantial uncertainties remain regarding global nitrogen budgets, the ecology of understudied diazotrophs, and the long-term responses of nitrogen cycling processes to climate and human pressures. Future research priorities include expanding long-term autonomous observations, integrating microbial process rates into biogeochemical and Earth system models, and investigating interactions with emerging pollutants. Improved understanding of these processes is essential for accurately predicting ocean productivity, carbon sequestration, and feedbacks to climate change. Collectively, this review underscores the need for interdisciplinary approaches that combine molecular biology, biogeochemistry, and advanced observational technologies to resolve key knowledge gaps and enhance our capacity to manage and predict the functioning of marine nitrogen cycles in a rapidly changing ocean environment.</p> Chinedu Okafor Aisha Bello Copyright (c) 2026 Tropical Oceanographic Research Frontiers 2026-02-09 2026-02-09 1 1 1 18 https://tecnoscientifica.com/journal/torf/article/view/927 <p>This study examined the impact of Submersible Light Attractors (SAL) on catch composition and Length at Maturity (Lm) of fish in tidal trap (<em>gombang</em>) fisheries in the Bengkalis Strait, Indonesia. Tidal traps, which are passive and static fishing gear, often capture undersized fish, posing a threat to the sustainability of fish stocks. The use of SAL aimed to improve catch efficiency and selectively target mature fish, thereby enhancing fishery management. The experiment compared catch composition and Lm between two fishing treatments: one with SAL (P1) and one without SAL (P0). The results showed a 17.5% increase in total catch weight when SAL was used, with significant improvements in catch size, particularly for demersal and pelagic fish species. The study indicated that SAL not only increased catch quantity but also enhanced gear selectivity, thereby reducing the bycatch of immature fish. These findings underscore the role of SAL in promoting sustainable fishing by improving catch size distribution and supporting fish population conservation. The use of SAL was recommended as a cost-effective tool for enhancing the ecological and economic viability of small-scale fisheries.</p> Muhammad Natsir Kholis Gondo Puspito Mohammad Imron Budy Wiryawan Wazir Mawardi T. Ersti Yulika Sari Muhamad Yogi Prayoga Erliantina Arridhaty Akita Amraini Fitri Irwan Limbong Copyright (c) 2026 Tropical Oceanographic Research Frontiers 2026-02-09 2026-02-09 1 1 19 31