Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
John Turner, Caroline Holmes, Thomas Caton Harrison, Tony Phillips, Babula Jena, Tylei Reeves-Francois, Ryan Fogt, Elizabeth R. Thomas, C. C. Bajish
Summary: On February 25, 2022, Antarctic sea ice extent reached a satellite-era record low level, and sea ice anomalies were observed in all sectors of the Southern Ocean, with the largest anomalies in the Ross and Weddell Seas.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yueyun Wang, Qing Ji, Xiaoping Pang, Meng Qu, Mingxing Cha, Fanyi Zhang, Zhongnan Yan, Bin He
Summary: The characteristics of sea ice in the Weddell Sea show notable seasonal variations, with higher ice density along the coast compared to offshore regions. The variability of sea ice is primarily influenced by dynamic factors, showing strong positive correlations with wind fields, ocean currents, and sea-ice motion.
Article
Oceanography
Yushi Morioka, Swadhin K. Behera
Summary: Sea ice in the Weddell Sea does not show significant trend in the four-decade satellite observation period, but does experience large interannual-to-decadal variability. Weakening westerly winds and strengthening of the Weddell Gyre can lead to an increase in sea ice extent. Both remote atmospheric forcing and local ice-ocean interaction play crucial roles in generating decadal sea ice variability in the Weddell Sea.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-OCEANS
(2021)
Article
Geography, Physical
Aleksandr Montelli, Marina Solovyeva, Grigorii Akhmanov, Adriano Mazzini, Anna Piatilova, Elena Bakay, Julian A. Dowdeswell
Summary: New geophysical data from eastern Storbanken in the central Barents Sea reveals the flow of a marine-based ice dome during the final stages of ice-sheet decay. Previous models suggesting a northward-migrating ice dome or crest extending from Svalbard to Franz-Josef Land are contradicted by our findings. The results provide valuable insights into the late-stage decay of marine ice domes and can be used to improve numerical models simulating the behavior of marine-based ice sheets in a warming environment.
QUATERNARY SCIENCE REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
A. Grau Galofre, K. X. Whipple, P. R. Christensen, S. J. Conway
Summary: Comparing the theoretical behavior of ice sheets on Mars and Earth, we find that the lower gravity on Mars favors the formation of efficient subglacial drainage, explaining the apparent lack of large-scale glacial fingerprints on the Martian surface such as drumlins or lineations.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Eric Deal, Gunther Prasicek
Summary: The study introduces a new model for glacial erosion that is similar to the model for river erosion, allowing for efficient prediction of key relationships in glacial landscape evolution. The similarities between the models for river and glacial erosion provide significant theoretical implications and allow for important results from rivers to be applied to glaciers in mountain ranges.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Thadickal V. Joydas, Seerangan Manokaran, Angel Borja, Lotfi Rabaoui, Karuppasamy P. Manikandan, T. T. M. Ashraf, K. M. Aarif, Syed A. Hussain, Meerja H. Baig, Mohammed Shoeb, Periyadan K. Krishnakumar, Mohammad A. Qurban
Summary: The Gulf of Aqaba is a narrow, warm, high-salinity, oligotrophic water body with a diverse benthic community dominated by polychaetes. The ecological status of the benthic communities in the Gulf is good, with comparable density and diversity to the Red Sea but lower than the Arabian Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. This baseline study is expected to provide valuable data for future environmental impact assessments in light of proposed urbanization along the Saudi coastal areas of the Gulf.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2021)
Article
Geography, Physical
Guillaume Michel, Mark Coughlan, Riccardo Arosio, Andy R. Emery, Andrew J. Wheeler
Summary: Based on an extensive seismic dataset analysis, this study proposes an updated stratigraphic model of the northern Irish Sea and maps newly discovered geomorphology to enhance the constraints on ice sheet retreat. The transition from the late glacial to marine setting is also determined, and a new conceptual model highlighting the succession of stratigraphic units and associated processes linked to geomorphology is synthesized.
QUATERNARY SCIENCE REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Qin Wen, Chenyu Zhu, Zixuan Han, Zhengyu Liu, Haijun Yang
Summary: Research suggests that the Tibetan Plateau has a significant impact on Southern Ocean circulation, with its removal potentially enhancing Antarctic bottom water circulation and affecting global climate. This impact is mainly achieved by increasing Rossby wave trains from the tropical Indo-Pacific to the Amundsen-Bellingshausen Sea.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Anna Clinger, Matthew Fox, Greg Balco, Kurt Cuffey, David Shuster
Summary: This study reports 534 detrital apatite (U-Th)/He thermochronometric ages collected along a > 400 km latitudinal transect along the Antarctic Peninsula (AP), and evaluates the relative roles of climate change and tectonics on the timing of km-scale fjord incision. The results show that tectonically-initiated rock uplift accelerated rates of erosion during long glacial conditions at the AP.
EARTH AND PLANETARY SCIENCE LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Geography, Physical
Helen E. Dulfer, Martin Margold, Christopher M. Darvill, Arjen P. Stroeven
Summary: The study investigates the dynamics of the Cordilleran Ice Sheet (CIS) in northern British Columbia, Canada during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and its subsequent retreat. By analyzing glacial landforms, the research identifies three stages of ice flow and reveals complex changes in ice dynamics over time. The study also provides insights into the post-LGM ice retreat and the re-growth of independent mountain glaciers in the Late Glacial period.
QUATERNARY SCIENCE REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Thomas Steuber, Hannes Löser, Joerg Mutterlose, Mariano Parente
Summary: We have compiled the stratigraphic ranges of various taxa of carbonate producers in the Cretaceous period and summarized their ecological and physiological controls on calcification and carbonate production. The observed diversity patterns are compared with proxy data of Cretaceous climate and seawater chemistry to elucidate the effect of environmental change on carbonate production and sedimentation. Two characteristic patterns are recognized: the diversity of certain taxa trace the evolution of Cretaceous sea level, while the diversity of other taxa show significant reductions at the level of oceanic anoxic events (OAEs). Our findings highlight the vulnerability of benthic carbonate producers to environmental changes and the importance of high sea level and high temperatures in controlling diversity in certain taxa. Aragonitic or aragonite-dominated carbonate producers are most affected during extinction events related to OAEs, and there is a trend of decreasing aragonite dominance throughout the Cretaceous.
EARTH-SCIENCE REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Carola Murano, Lisa Vaccari, Raffaella Casotti, Ilaria Corsi, Anna Palumbo
Summary: This study investigates the occurrence of anthropogenic fibres inside wild Paracentrotus lividus at a Mediterranean coastal area in 2020. Fibres were found in the digestive system, gonads, and coelomic fluid of the sea urchins, with cotton-based and synthetic polyester fibres being identified as the main types. These results highlight the importance of further research on the accumulation and potential transfer of fibres through the trophic chain to humans.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Giacomo Deiana, Luciano Lecca, Rita Teresa Melis, Mauro Soldati, Valentino Demurtas, Paolo Emanuele Orru
Summary: This paper presents the results of a high-resolution survey on the continental shelf off San Pietro Island in southwestern Sardinia. Various morphological features shaped during the Last Glacial Maximum were reconstructed, including tectonic controlled palaeo-cliffs, a deep palaeo-valley mouth, a palaeo-lagoon, and submerged palaeo-shorelines. The study utilized multisensor and multiscale data obtained through seismic sparker, sub-bottom profiler chirp, multibeam, side scan sonar, diving, and uncrewed aerial vehicles to document these features.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Yuanyuan Guo, Xiaodan Chen, Sihua Huang, Zhiping Wen
Summary: This study reveals an amplified year-to-year variance of the Weddell Sea sea-ice extent since 1998/1999, primarily driven by thermodynamic processes rather than dynamic processes. Additionally, it shows a closer linkage between the Southern Annular Mode in the preceding spring and the Weddell Sea sea-ice extent in recent decades, influencing local sea ice through changes in surface heat and radiation fluxes.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Biology
Julian Gutt, Enrique Isla, Jose C. Xavier, Byron J. Adams, In-Young Ahn, C-H Christina Cheng, Claudia Colesie, Vonda J. Cummings, Guido di Prisco, Huw Griffiths, Ian Hawes, Ian Hogg, Trevor McIntyre, Klaus M. Meiners, David A. Pearce, Lloyd Peck, Dieter Piepenburg, Ryan R. Reisinger, Grace K. Saba, Irene R. Schloss, Camila N. Signori, Craig R. Smith, Marino Vacchi, Cinzia Verde, Diana H. Wall
Summary: Experts synthesized important findings on the impact of environmental change on biological processes in Antarctica during the second decade of the 21st century, identifying ten key messages with stakeholder-relevance and high impact for the scientific community. Most Antarctic biotas are considered vulnerable to environmental change due to multiple stresses, narrow tolerance ranges, and migration barriers, with important ecosystem functions and biodiversity patterns already shifting. Confidence assessment revealed an intermediate level of 'scientific understanding', highlighting the need for continued efforts to inform protection measures for Antarctic ecosystems.
BIOLOGICAL REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Zoology
Simone N. Brandao, Hanieh Saeedi, Angelika Brandt
Summary: The study investigated biodiversity patterns and ostracod assemblages in the Atlantic Sector of the Southern Ocean, revealing significant differences among shelf, slope, and abyssal faunas. Depth was found to be the main factor influencing ostracod distribution, with nitrate and phosphate also playing important roles. However, previous hypotheses regarding the ecological preferences of ostracod genera were not confirmed, suggesting a need for further research in this area.
ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Geography, Physical
Duanne A. White, David Fink, Kat Lilly, Phil O'Brien, Boris Dorschel, Sonja Berg, Ole Bennike, Damian B. Gore, Derek Fabel, Marcello Blaxell, Matt Jeromson, Alexandru T. Codilean, Klaus M. Wilken, Ben Galton-Fenzi, Bernd Wagner
Summary: In this study, the dynamics and paleo-geometry of the ice sheet in eastern Prydz Bay were explored, revealing rapid retreat of the ice sheet during deglacial events. The findings are crucial for understanding the response of the ice sheet to past and future environmental changes.
QUATERNARY SCIENCE REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Anne-Nina Loerz, Jens Oldeland, Stefanie Kaiser
Summary: Understanding the ecological requirements and thresholds of individual species is crucial for predicting the impact of climate change on species distribution. Many deep-sea species could be at risk, but this must be carefully weighed due to sampling gaps and unknown distribution. Accurate taxonomic classification is fundamental for determining niche properties and assessing and understanding changes in biodiversity.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jamie Maxwell, Yi Ming Gan, Claudia Arango, Jana S. Doemel, A. Louise Allcock, Anton P. van de Putte, Huw Griffiths
Summary: The dataset contains information on specimens of Southern Ocean Pycnogonida collected from ten research cruises over 13 years, forming the basis of J. Maxwell's PhD research. It will be used to investigate the community structure of Antarctic pycnogonids. The dataset is published by SCARAntOBIS under CC-BY 4.0 license, and users are advised to follow SCAR and aires-argentina guidelines when using the data. Any inquiries can be directed to the provided contact information.
BIODIVERSITY DATA JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Huw J. Griffiths, Rowan J. Whittle, Emily G. Mitchell
Summary: The timing of the first appearance of animals is crucial for understanding the evolution of life on Earth. The fossil record suggests a relatively recent origin, while molecular clock studies suggest a much earlier origination. Little attention has been given to how animal life would have survived during global glacial periods. Recent research on polar biota offers insights into the survival strategies and habitats of modern marine organisms in environments similar to those during Neoproterozoic glaciations.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Blanca Figuerola, Huw J. Griffiths, Malgorzata Krzeminska, Anna Piwoni-Piorewicz, Anna Iglikowska, Piotr Kuklinski
Summary: The Southern Ocean is responding rapidly to human-induced global change, and serves as a valuable indicator for the impact of ocean warming and acidification on marine species and ecosystems. The authors provide the largest carbonate mineralogical dataset for Southern Ocean bryozoans, highlighting their potential as effective monitors for studying the effects of ocean warming and acidification. They find that bryozoan mineralogy changes significantly with decreasing latitudes and increasing seawater temperature, suggesting that seawater temperature may be a significant driver of global variations in bryozoan mineralogy.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Julian B. Stauffer, Autun Purser, Huw J. Griffiths, Craig R. Smith, Henk-Jan T. Hoving
Summary: A study has found that there are diverse and abundant deep-sea food falls in the northwestern Weddell Sea of the Southern Ocean. This includes the first in situ observations of penguin and fish carcasses in the deep sea east of the Antarctic Peninsula. These food falls play an important role in providing nutrients to the deep-sea benthic communities.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Zoology
Stefanie Kaiser, Bente Stransky, Robert M. Jennings, Terue Cristina Kihara, Saskia Brix
Summary: This study describes a new species of Austroniscus, Austroniscus brandtae, and reveals the genetic linkage within populations in the Puerto Rico Trench. It provides valuable insights into the mechanisms of species divergence in deep-sea trenches.
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Stefanie Kaiser, Magdalini Christodoulou, Annika Janssen, Terue C. Kihara, Inga Mohrbeck, Francesca Pasotti, Sarah M. Schnurr, Annemiek Vink, Pedro Martinez Arbizu
Summary: Due to the increasing challenge of meeting human demands for metals from land-based resources, interest in extracting mineral ores from the deep sea has gained momentum in recent years. However, knowledge on the biological communities found in deep-sea mining areas like the Clarion Clipperton Fracture Zone (CCFZ) is still limited. This study provides an overview on isopod crustaceans in the CCFZ, highlighting the need for increased sampling effort, taxonomic work, and cooperation between scientists and contractors to improve our understanding of the biodiversity before mining operations begin.
MARINE BIODIVERSITY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Linda Armbrecht, Amaranta Focardi, Kelly-Anne Lawler, Phil O'Brien, Amy Leventer, Taryn L. Noble, Bradley Opdyke, Meghan Duffy, Dimitris Evangelinos, Simon C. George, Jan Lieser, Adrian Lopez-Quiros, Alix Post, Martin Ostrowski, Ian Paulsen, Leanne Armand
Summary: With ongoing climate change, research into the biological changes occurring in vulnerable ecosystems, such as Antarctica, is critical. In the Totten Glacier region of Sabrina Coast, there are significant differences in the bacterial and eukaryote composition between the water column and sediments. The study provides the first assessment of DNA transfer from ocean waters to sediments and an overview of the microscopic communities occurring in the climatically important Totten Glacier region.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-BIOGEOSCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Oceanography
Stefanie Kaiser, Angelika Brandt, Saskia Brix, Nils Brenke, Karlotta Kuerzel, Pedro Martinez Arbizu, Matt H. Pinkerton, Hanieh Saeedi
Summary: The DIVA expeditions investigated the benthic biodiversity of the deep sea in the Atlantic Ocean, analyzing the correlation between macrofaunal density and environmental conditions across different basins. The study found significant differences in density and subtle differences in composition, as well as variability in neighboring stations. It was concluded that higher taxonomic resolution analyses should be paired with smaller spatial scale sampling to better understand the factors contributing to variations in deep-sea macrobenthic communities.
DEEP-SEA RESEARCH PART I-OCEANOGRAPHIC RESEARCH PAPERS
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Karlotta Kuerzel, Saskia Brix, Angelika Brandt, Nils Brenke, Peter Enderlein, Huw J. Griffiths, Stefanie Kaiser, Jorundur Svavarsson, Anne-Nina Loerz, Inmaculada Frutos, James Taylor, Katrin Linse
Summary: Deep-sea benthic fauna is important for marine ecosystem, but threatened by changing environment. This study analyzes abundance data of benthic fauna collected across the Atlantic and identifies environmental factors affecting it. The findings show a decrease in abundance with depth in most of the Atlantic, but heterogeneous abundances within the Southern Ocean. Community composition is similar throughout the Atlantic and not affected by Antarctic Circumpolar Current for higher taxonomic levels. Benthic chlorophyll, iron, and surface silicate are important factors influencing community composition.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jan Steger, Katrin Linse, Yi-Ming Gan, Huw J. Griffiths
Summary: This dataset provides information on macro- and megafaunal Mollusca in the South Orkney Islands, Antarctica. The data was collected during a research expedition in 2016 and contributes to the understanding of benthic habitat types in the region.
BIODIVERSITY DATA JOURNAL
(2023)
Review
Ecology
Julian Gutt, Stefanie Arndt, David Keith Alan Barnes, Horst Bornemann, Thomas Brey, Olaf Eisen, Hauke Flores, Huw Griffiths, Christian Haas, Stefan Hain, Tore Hattermann, Christoph Held, Mario Hoppema, Enrique Isla, Markus Janout, Celine Le Bohec, Heike Link, Felix Christopher Mark, Sebastien Moreau, Scarlett Trimborn, Ilse van Opzeeland, Hans-Otto Poertner, Fokje Schaafsma, Katharina Teschke, Sandra Tippenhauer, Anton Van de Putte, Mia Wege, Daniel Zitterbart, Dieter Piepenburg
Summary: Systematic long-term studies on ecosystem dynamics are lacking in the East Antarctic Southern Ocean. This study proposes a framework for a cross-disciplinary long-term study in the eastern Weddell Sea and adjacent areas, which have so far experienced comparatively muted climate and environmental change. By establishing an observatory and conducting regular surveys, researchers aim to explore and map long-term changes in ocean dynamics, geochemistry, biodiversity, and ecosystem functions and services. The integrated approach will provide crucial data for understanding and projecting the consequences of climate change and supporting conservation efforts in the Southern Ocean.