Long term hydrographic conditions and climate trends in Potter Cove

SCHLOSS, IRENE; GUSTAVO A. FERREYRA; OSCAR GONZÁLEZ; ADRIÁN ATENCIO; VERÓNICA L. FUENTES; GABRIELA TOSONOTTO; GUILLERMO MERCURI; RICARDO SAHADE; MARCOS TATIÁN

Berichte zur Polar-und Meeresforschung /Reports on Polar and Marine Research

Alfred Wegener Institute

Lugar: Bremerhaven; Año: 2008 vol. 571 p. 382 - 389

1618-3193

Climate warming in Antarctic environments has been associated with glacier retreat and increased ice melting  which, in turn, change the vertical structure of the water column, especially in Antarctic shallow coastal environments. Since the beginning of the Argentinean - German cooperation at Jubany Station, Dallmann laboratory, sea water temperature and salinity, as well as chlorophyll-a and suspended particulate matter concentrations have been measured in Potter Cove, in the vicinity of the station. As a result, a 15-years series of data is available. Both, air and surface sea water temperature in Potter Cove (King George Island) increased significantly over the past 15 years. The amount of particulate matter in the water column has augmented during the studied period. If this is a consequence of increased glacial melting which is accompanied by the entrance of land-originated particles early in the spring summer season, light could be critically limiting photosynthesis. The balance between the physiologically better temperature and worse irradiance conditions will finally determine the impact of global change processes on phytoplankton in shallow coastal Antarctic areas.