Article
Ecology
H. M. Dawson, E. Connors, N. G. Erazo, J. S. Sacks, V. Mierzejewski, S. M. Rundell, L. T. Carlson, J. W. Deming, A. E. Ingalls, J. S. Bowman, J. N. Young
Summary: Seasonal cycles in polar regions have a significant impact on microbial abundance and physiology, but the combined effects of temperature and salinity change on microbial community structure and composition during transitions between seawater and sea ice are not well understood.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Carlos Rafael Borges Mendes, Raul Rodrigo Costa, Afonso Ferreira, Bruno Jesus, Virginia Maria Tavano, Tiago Segabinazzi Dotto, Miguel Costa Leal, Rodrigo Kerr, Carolina Antuarte Islabao, Andrea de Oliveira da Rocha Franco, Mauricio M. M. Mata, Carlos Alberto Eiras Garcia, Eduardo Resende Secchi
Summary: Based on a 11-year in-situ dataset, researchers found that cryptophytes are gradually replacing diatoms as the basis of the food web in the western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP). Their study demonstrates a strong coupling between cryptophyte biomass accumulation, summer upper ocean stability, and mixed layer depth. These findings shed light on the importance of niche separation between diatoms and cryptophytes in understanding the WAP marine ecosystem.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Raul Rodrigo Costa, Afonso Ferreira, Marcio S. de Souza, Virginia M. Tavano, Rodrigo Kerr, Eduardo R. Secchi, Vanda Brotas, Tiago S. Dotto, Ana C. Brito, Carlos Rafael B. Mendes
Summary: The Northern Antarctic Peninsula is experiencing shifts in phytoplankton distribution and composition due to warming marine ecosystems. However, little attention has been given to the seasonal succession of phytoplankton and the distribution patterns of emerging taxa along the peninsula. In this study, we collected data on phytoplankton and physico-chemical variables during spring and summer seasons from 2013 to 2015. We found that emerging taxa, such as dinoflagellates and cryptophytes, had different distribution patterns and environmental preferences compared to centric and pennate diatoms. The relationship between sea ice concentration/duration and phytoplankton biomass was not consistent, suggesting the presence of top-down control on phytoplankton in the region.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Tiago S. Dotto, Mauricio M. Mata, Rodrigo Kerr, Carlos A. E. Garcia
Summary: The northern Antarctic Peninsula (NAP) is a dynamic transitional zone affected by intense climate change, with water masses mainly originating from the Bellingshausen and Weddell seas. Limited understanding of the region's water masses and dynamic processes is attributed to sparse data coverage. The novel NAPv1.0 data set presented in this work provides a valuable tool for studying climatological changes in the NAP region.
EARTH SYSTEM SCIENCE DATA
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xuan-Li Liu, Cheng-Xuan Li, Xing Zhai, Kan Chen, Lu Liu, Bao-Dong Wang
Summary: We investigated the spatial distributions of dissolved and particulate dimethylsulfoxide (DMSOd and DMSOp) off the northern Antarctic Peninsula during the austral summer of 2018, an ecologically and climatically important region. Our findings showed that DMSOd was concentrated in the ice-melt zone and had a weak positive correlation with temperature and a negative correlation with nutrients. DMSOp, on the other hand, accumulated in deep waters through bio-debris accumulation and microbial activity.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2023)
Review
Oceanography
Brendon Yuri Damini, Raul Rodrigo Costa, Tiago S. Dotto, Carlos Rafael Borges Mendes, Marina do V. C. Azaneu, Mauricio M. Mata, Rodrigo Kerr
Summary: The study investigated the characteristics of sea-air CO2 dynamics through the investigation of an anticyclonic stationary eddy called the Antarctica Slope Front bifurcation (ASFb) eddy, located south of Clarence Island in the eastern basin of Bransfield Strait. The results revealed that the ASFb eddy acts as a CO2 outgassing structure with a core consisting of carbon-rich waters. These findings provide important insights into the behavior of mesoscale features influencing sea-air CO2 exchanges in polar environments.
PROGRESS IN OCEANOGRAPHY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
F. J. Diaz-Puente, T. Schmid, M. Pelayo, M. Rodriguez-Rastrero, M. J. Sierra Herraiz, T. O'Neill, J. Lopez-Martinez
Summary: Microorganisms play a crucial role in the carbon cycle through soil organic matter (SOM) in regions such as the northern Antarctic Peninsula. Soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC) and basal respiration (BR) values vary among different locations, indicating a consistent trend of SOM abundance in Cierva Point, Fildes Peninsula, and Deception Island. The efficiency of microbial populations in consuming soil organic carbon (SOC) varies, with potential implications for SOC stabilization.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Cristina Postigo, Luis Moreno-Merino, Ester Lopez-Garcia, Jeronimo Lopez-Martinez, Miren Lopez de Alda
Summary: This study evaluated the impact of human activities on the chemical pollution of Antarctic waters by assessing the presence of inorganic chemicals and selected organic anthropogenic contaminants. The results showed that nicotine and tolytriazole were the most common contaminants in the area. Citalopram, clarithromycin, and nicotine were the most abundant contaminants, indicating the need for further monitoring and protection measures in Antarctic waters.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Afonso Ferreira, Ana C. Brito, Carlos R. B. Mendes, Vanda Brotas, Raul R. Costa, Catarina V. Guerreiro, Carolina Sa, Thomas Jackson
Summary: This study evaluates the performance of global and regional satellite algorithms in the Western Antarctic Peninsula and investigates the factors contributing to Chl-a underestimation. The results show that the global algorithm underestimates in-situ Chl-a by an average of ~59%, with higher underestimation in waters with greater Chl-a concentrations. No clear link was found between Chl-a underestimation and pigment packaging effect, phytoplankton community composition, or sea ice contamination. A new satellite Chl-a algorithm, OC4-SO, is proposed based on multi-sensor satellite data and the most comprehensive in-situ dataset collected from the Western Antarctic Peninsula.
Article
Limnology
Thiago Monteiro, Sian F. Henley, Ricardo Cesar Goncalves Pollery, Carlos Rafael Borges Mendes, Mauricio Mata, Virginia Maria Tavano, Carlos Alberto Eiras Garcia, Rodrigo Kerr
Summary: The northern Antarctic Peninsula plays a crucial role in the Southern Ocean, and understanding the spatiotemporal variability of macronutrients is vital for the ecosystem and climate change response in this region.
LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Junjun Deng, Yuan Gao, Jialei Zhu, Linjie Li, Shun Yu, Kimitaka Kawamura, Pingqing Fu
Summary: The study on biogenic organic aerosols in Antarctica found higher concentrations of sugar alcohols and biogenic SOA tracers in summer compared to winter. Fungal-spore organic carbon, isoprene-derived secondary OC, and monoterpene-derived SOC contributed 26.2%, 55.6%, and 18.2% respectively. Model results suggest higher biogenic SOA in East Antarctica than in West Antarctica.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Limnology
Hannah L. Joy-Warren, Anne-Carlijn Alderkamp, Gert L. van Dijken, Loay Jabre, Erin M. Bertrand, Evan N. Baldonado, Molly W. Glickman, Kate M. Lewis, Rob Middag, Kyyas Seyitmuhammedov, Kate E. Lowry, Willem van de Poll, Kevin R. Arrigo
Summary: Light and iron availability are interconnected in controlling Southern Ocean primary production. Changes in light and iron can affect phytoplankton species composition and nutrient cycling. Light limits growth while iron does not, despite overall low iron concentrations.
LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lu Liu, Jichang Zhang, Yunxia Zhao, Qingshan Luan, Xianyong Zhao, Xinliang Wang
Summary: This study investigated the net-phytoplankton community structure and influencing factors in the waters near the Antarctic Peninsula. It found that diatoms were the most abundant group, and their abundance varied significantly in different water areas. The study also revealed a positive relationship between phytoplankton community and sea surface temperature, and suggested that the density of krill was associated with the spatial distribution of pennate diatoms.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Martina Mascioni, Gaston O. Almandoz, Allison Cusick, B. Jack Pan, Maria Vernet
Summary: Through the FjordPhyto project, we studied the phytoplankton biomass and composition in six nearshore areas near the Gerlache Strait, and found significant differences between seasons and regions. In the north, cryptophytes bloomed in December, while diatoms dominated in the south. This spatial distinction was associated with a surface thermal front in the Gerlache Strait.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jiyi Jang, Ki-Tae Park, Young Jun Yoon, Sun-Yong Ha, Eunho Jang, Kyung Hwa Cho, Ji Yi Lee, Jiyeon Park
Summary: This study investigated the identity, origin, and transportation of organic aerosols in pristine Antarctic environments using high-resolution mass spectrometry. Three clusters of aerosol samples were classified based on their air mass transport history, and the relationship between organic aerosols and their potential sources was analyzed. The results showed that organic aerosols from different sources have different chemical properties.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Katherine R. Heal, Bryndan P. Durham, Angela K. Boysen, Laura T. Carlson, Wei Qin, Francois Ribalet, Angelicque E. White, Randelle M. Bundy, E. Virginia Armbrust, Anitra E. Ingalls
Summary: Phytoplankton play a crucial role in transforming inorganic carbon into organic compounds, impacting the microbial food web in the ocean. Research has shown that the chemical composition of the surface ocean is directly shaped by phytoplankton metabolites, highlighting the importance of phytoplankton diversity in marine ecosystems.
Article
Ecology
Lauren E. Manck, Jiwoon Park, Benjamin J. Tully, Alfonso M. Poire, Randelle M. Bundy, Christopher L. Dupont, Katherine A. Barbeau
Summary: The study reveals the important role of siderophores in marine iron biogeochemical cycling and provides a deeper understanding of the mechanisms involved, showing the promoting effect of siderophores on the acquisition of iron from mineral sources and weaker iron-ligand complexes.
Article
Limnology
Katherine R. Heal, Ashley E. Maloney, Anitra E. Ingalls, Randelle M. Bundy
Summary: Arsenic is found at nanomolar levels in the ocean and is assimilated by microbes due to its similarity to phosphorus. Particulate arsenic in the open ocean is mainly composed of arsenolipids, with arsenosugar phospholipids dominating the pool and a presence of unidentified ether lipids, indicating a bacterial source.
LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Shane L. Hogle, Thomas Hackl, Randelle M. Bundy, Jiwoon Park, Brandon Satinsky, Teppo Hiltunen, Steven Biller, Paul M. Berube, Sallie W. Chisholm
Summary: Prochlorococcus and Synechococcus, the most abundant photosynthesizing organisms in the oceans, have genomic capacity for siderophore-mediated iron uptake. They scavenge exogenous siderophores from seawater and are prevalent in remote ocean regions with low atmospheric iron fluxes. This suggests that iron acts as a selective force driving the evolution of marine picocyanobacteria.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kristina A. Confesor, Corday R. Selden, Kimberly E. Powell, Laura A. Donahue, Travis Mellett, Salvatore Caprara, Angela N. Knapp, Kristen N. Buck, P. Dreux Chappell
Summary: This study investigated the presence and environmental preferences of Trichodesmium clades in the waters of the West Florida Shelf. The results showed that T. erythraeum was mainly found in shallow waters, while T. thiebautii preferred deeper waters and was affected by iron limitation.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Stilianos Louca, Gordon T. Taylor, Yrene M. Astor, Kristen N. Buck, Frank E. Muller-Karger
Summary: When population dynamics and reaction kinetics operate at much shorter time scales than physical mixing processes, the need for unknown population dynamical, physiological and reaction-kinetic parameters and uncertainties in species composition can be eliminated. In this 'fast-reaction-transport' (FRT) limit, accurate predictions can be made based on chemical boundary conditions, physical mixing processes and reaction stoichiometries without knowledge of species composition, physiology or population/reaction kinetic parameters. Our findings suggest that microbial processes in poorly mixed water columns and sediments are largely transport limited and thus predictable regardless of species composition, population dynamics and kinetics.
ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Limnology
Shannon M. M. Burns, Randelle M. M. Bundy, William Abbott, Zuzanna Abdala, Alexa R. R. Sterling, P. Dreux Chappell, Bethany D. D. Jenkins, Kristen N. N. Buck
Summary: This study examined the relationship between phytoplankton growth and dissolved concentrations of iron, manganese, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, and cadmium in the Southern Ocean. The results showed that manganese was a secondary limiting nutrient both onshore and offshore, and there was no co-limitation of iron and vitamin B-12. The uptake of metals relative to soluble reactive phosphorus was closely related to initial dissolved metal to phosphorus ratio.
LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Alexa R. Sterling, Laura Z. Holland, Randelle M. Bundy, Shannon M. Burns, Kristen N. Buck, P. Dreux Chappell, Bethany D. Jenkins
Summary: The growth of diatoms in the Southern Ocean is often limited by low concentrations of dissolved iron and other trace metals. Diatoms and co-occurring bacteria may overcome this challenge through mutualistic relationships, in which diatoms provide organic carbon for bacterial growth, and bacteria supply diatoms with metals and other secondary compounds. This study examines the interactions between diatoms and bacteria and how they are influenced by gradients of micronutrients and metals in the West Antarctic Peninsula.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Laura E. Sofen, Olga A. Antipova, Kristen N. Buck, Salvatore Caprara, Lauren Chacho, Rodney J. Johnson, Gabriella Kim, Peter Morton, Daniel C. Ohnemus, Sara Rauschenberg, Peter N. Sedwick, Alessandro Tagliabue, Benjamin S. Twining
Summary: Particulate phases play a major role in transporting trace metals in the ocean. These phases can be categorized into lithogenic, biogenic, or authigenic based on their origin. Accurate characterization of these phases is crucial as they have distinct functions in the biogeochemical iron cycle.
GLOBAL BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLES
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Garrett Sharpe, Liang Zhao, Meredith G. Meyer, Weida Gong, Shannon M. Burns, Allesandro Tagliabue, Kristen N. Buck, Alyson E. Santoro, Jason R. Graff, Adrian Marchetti, Scott Gifford
Summary: Synechococcus, the most abundant cyanobacteria in high latitude regions, plays a significant role in annual marine net primary productivity. However, the uneven sampling of Synechococcus populations across the ocean, particularly in high-latitude, High Nutrient Low Chlorophyll (HNLC) regions, has limited our understanding of their adaptations to iron limitation and their influence on carbon, nitrogen, and iron cycles. This study focuses on Synechococcus populations in the subarctic North Pacific, a well-characterized HNLC region, and reveals their dependence on ammonium and other forms of recycled nitrogen, leading to reduced iron requirements. The findings have important implications for modeling the contribution of cyanobacteria to primary production and carbon export.
ISME COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Angel Ruacho, Camille Richon, Hannah Whitby, Randelle M. Bundy
Summary: Organic Cu-binding ligands play a significant role in the distribution of Cu in the global ocean. However, the diversity of these ligands makes their study on a global scale difficult. This review provides an overview of the different compounds that comprise the marine Cu-ligand pool, their sources, and sinks. The review also discusses analytical methods for measuring ligands in marine water column samples and introduces a general classification for Cu-binding ligands based on their binding strength.
COMMUNICATIONS EARTH & ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mark A. Brzezinski, Diana E. Varela, Bethany D. Jenkins, Kristen N. Buck, Sile M. Kafrissen, Janice L. Jones
Summary: Diatoms play an essential role in marine primary productivity and carbon export. However, their contributions are modified in high-nutrient low-chlorophyll regions due to decoupling of silicon and carbon cycling caused by low iron levels. The study at Ocean Station Papa (OSP) in the northeastern subarctic Pacific found that diatoms were limited by iron and silicic acid concentration in their growth and silicon uptake. Despite high silicic acid concentrations, biogenic silica concentrations were low. Diatoms contributed more to carbon export than primary productivity at this location.
ELEMENTA-SCIENCE OF THE ANTHROPOCENE
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Kiefer O. Forsch, Lisa Hahn-Woernle, Robert M. Sherrell, Vincent J. Roccanova, Kaixuan Bu, David Burdige, Maria Vernet, Katherine A. Barbeau
Summary: By studying the iron sources in a heavily glaciated western Antarctic Peninsula fjord, it is revealed that surface glacial melt and subglacial plumes contribute to the seasonal cycle of iron and manganese within the environment. The study also shows that organic ligands derived from phytoplankton and glaciers play a role in the dispersion of dissolved and particulate iron downstream, while buoyant plumes enriched in labile particulate trace metals supply iron to the fjord euphotic zone. Additionally, prolonged katabatic wind events enhance the export of meltwater out of the fjord, indicating an important atmosphere-ice-ocean coupling in coastal iron biogeochemistry and primary productivity along the WAP.
Article
Oceanography
Jason A. Law, Robert H. Weisberg, Yonggang Liu, Dennis A. Mayer, Jeffrey C. Donovan
Summary: Time series data from a moored array of sensors are used to describe the long-term mean circulation and seasonal variations on the West Florida Continental Shelf. The observations reveal a coherent shelf-wide circulation pattern with alongshore and down-coast flow, and a coastal jet separating an upwelling region from a downwelling region influenced by the deeper ocean.
DEEP-SEA RESEARCH PART II-TOPICAL STUDIES IN OCEANOGRAPHY
(2024)