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Climate change is associated with higher phytoplankton biomass and longer blooms in the West Antarctic Peninsula

Author

Listed:
  • Afonso Ferreira

    (Campo Grande 016
    Universidade Federal do Rio Grande-FURG)

  • Carlos R. B. Mendes

    (Universidade Federal do Rio Grande-FURG
    Universidade Federal do Rio Grande-FURG
    Universidade Federal do Rio Grande-FURG)

  • Raul R. Costa

    (Universidade Federal do Rio Grande-FURG
    Universidade Federal do Rio Grande-FURG
    Universidade Federal do Rio Grande-FURG)

  • Vanda Brotas

    (Campo Grande 016
    Campo Grande 016
    Prospect Place)

  • Virginia M. Tavano

    (Universidade Federal do Rio Grande-FURG)

  • Catarina V. Guerreiro

    (Campo Grande 016
    Campo Grande 016)

  • Eduardo R. Secchi

    (Universidade Federal do Rio Grande-FURG
    Universidade Federal do Rio Grande-FURG)

  • Ana C. Brito

    (Campo Grande 016
    Campo Grande 016)

Abstract

The Antarctic Peninsula (West Antarctica) marine ecosystem has undergone substantial changes due to climate-induced shifts in atmospheric and oceanic temperatures since the 1950s. Using 25 years of satellite data (1998-2022), this study presents evidence that phytoplankton biomass and bloom phenology in the West Antarctic Peninsula are significantly changing as a response to anthropogenic climate change. Enhanced phytoplankton biomass was observed along the West Antarctic Peninsula, particularly in the early austral autumn, resulting in longer blooms. Long-term sea ice decline was identified as the main driver enabling phytoplankton growth in early spring and autumn, in parallel with a recent intensification of the Southern Annular Mode (2010-ongoing), which was observed to influence regional variability. Our findings contribute to the understanding of the complex interplay between environmental changes and phytoplankton responses in this climatically key region of the Southern Ocean and raise important questions regarding the far-reaching consequences that these ecological changes may have on global carbon sequestration and Antarctic food webs in the future.

Suggested Citation

  • Afonso Ferreira & Carlos R. B. Mendes & Raul R. Costa & Vanda Brotas & Virginia M. Tavano & Catarina V. Guerreiro & Eduardo R. Secchi & Ana C. Brito, 2024. "Climate change is associated with higher phytoplankton biomass and longer blooms in the West Antarctic Peninsula," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-50381-2
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50381-2
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sandy J. Thomalla & Sarah-Anne Nicholson & Thomas J. Ryan-Keogh & Marié E. Smith, 2023. "Widespread changes in Southern Ocean phytoplankton blooms linked to climate drivers," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 13(9), pages 975-984, September.
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