Antarctic coastal polynyas are regions of persistent open water and are thought to be key bio-physical features within the sea-ice zone. However, their use by the upper trophic levels of ecosystems remains unclear. A unique bio-physical dataset recorded by southern elephant seals reveals that East Antarctic polynyas are a key winter foraging habitat for male seals. During their post-moult trips from Isles Kerguelen to the Antarctic continental shelf, a total of 18 out of 23 seals visited 9 different polynyas, spending on average 25 ± 20% (up to 75%) of their total trip time inside polynyas. Changes in seal foraging and diving behaviours are observed inside polynyas as compared to outside polynyas. Two polynya usages by seals are observed for the inactive and active polynya phases, pointing to different seasonal peaks in prey abundance. During the active polynya phase, we link seal foraging behaviour to changes in the physical stability of the water-column, which likely impact the seasonal biological dynamics within polynyas.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5816617 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-21388-9 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Projections of winter polynyas and their biophysical impacts in the Ross Sea Antarctica.
Clim Dyn
September 2023
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Falmouth, MA USA.
Unlabelled: This study investigates winter polynyas in the southern Ross Sea, Antarctica where several polynyas are known to form. Coastal polynyas are areas of lower sea ice concentration and/or thickness along the coast that are otherwise surrounded by more extensive, thicker sea ice pack. Polynyas are also locations where organisms can exploit both the ice substrate and pelagic resources.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEvidence for large-scale climate forcing of dense shelf water variability in the Ross Sea.
Nat Commun
September 2024
Department of Sciences and Technologies, Parthenope University, Naples, Italy.
Article Synopsis
- Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW) is crucial for thermohaline circulation and is primarily formed from Dense Shelf Water (DSW) in Antarctic polynyas, particularly the Ross Sea.
- The study reveals a strong correlation between DSW production in the Ross Sea and the Southern Annular Mode (SAM), with significant changes occurring based on SAM phases, affecting wind patterns and sea ice formation.
- A future positive trend in SAM and a shift of the Amundsen Sea Low (ASL) could impact DSW and AABW formation, altering ocean properties and climate dynamics.
Environmental control and metabolic strategies of organic-matter-responsive bacterioplankton in the Weddell Sea (Antarctica).
Environ Microbiol
July 2024
Biological Oceanography, Rostock, Germany.
Heterotrophic microbial communities play a significant role in driving carbon fluxes in marine ecosystems. Despite their importance, these communities remain understudied in remote polar oceans, which are known for their substantial contribution to the biological drawdown of atmospheric carbon dioxide. Our research focused on understanding the environmental factors and genetic makeup of key bacterial players involved in carbon remineralization in the Weddell Sea, including its coastal polynyas.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGeographical distribution of the mesozooplankton community in highly productive coastal polynyas of the Ross Sea region marine protected area (RSR MPA) during early summer.
Mar Pollut Bull
July 2024
Division of Ocean & Atmosphere Science, Korea Polar Research Institute, Incheon, Republic of Korea; Departoment of Polar Science, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea. Electronic address:
We investigated the recent spatial variation in the mesozooplankton community on the broad shelf of the RSR MPA during the bloom season. The mesozooplankton community was geographically divided into three regions: the Terra Nova Bay polynya, the Ross Sea polynya, and the marginal polynya. Larval euphausiids were dominant in the two polynya regions, whereas copepods were predominant in the marginal polynya region.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOver the Ross Sea shelf, annual primary production is limited by dissolved iron (DFe) supply. Here, a major source of DFe to surface waters is thought to be vertical resupply from the benthos, which is assumed most prevalent during winter months when katabatic winds drive sea ice formation and convective overturn in coastal polynyas, although the impact of these processes on water-column DFe distributions has not been previously documented. We collected hydrographic data and water-column samples for trace metals analysis in the Terra Nova Bay and Ross Ice Shelf polynyas during April-May 2017 (late austral fall).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!