ICEBERG A-68A Assessing effects of iceberg A-68a on the Weddell Sea and South Georgia ecosystems

Grimm, Ise, I.A. (2021) ICEBERG A-68A Assessing effects of iceberg A-68a on the Weddell Sea and South Georgia ecosystems. Master's Thesis / Essay, Marine Biology.

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Abstract

In the past three years iceberg A-68a travelled northwards towards the island of South Georgia, where it is currently located on the western side of the island. A-68a might have a big impact on the pelagic, benthic and coastal ecosystem surrounding the iceberg and South Georgia. The aim of this essay was to find out what the effects are that the iceberg already had on the ecosystem of the Weddell Sea. And related to that, what is the effect of iceberg A-68a on the ecosystem around South Georgia? On the journey northwards the iceberg probably opened up new opportunities for benthic and pelagic organisms that are situated at the Antarctic Peninsula. In the open ocean, the iceberg created a biodiversity hotspot as it enhanced primary production thus leading to more zooplankton which benefits higher trophic levels. The effects of the iceberg on the ecosystem of South Georgia are debatable. The iceberg will probably have a positive effect on the pelagic system due to the increased stratification of the mixed layer. There is the probability of the iceberg significantly harming the benthic community due to ice scour. The iceberg might also block foraging routes and foraging areas for mobile foragers. The impact on these species might be less significant as they are used to travel long distances to find food and the iceberg also creates a new foraging habitat. Breakage of the iceberg might make each of the effects less significant as it is less concentrated in a certain area.

Item Type:	Thesis (Master's Thesis / Essay)
Supervisor name:	Poll, W.H. van de
Degree programme:	Marine Biology
Thesis type:	Master's Thesis / Essay
Language:	English
Date Deposited:	18 Feb 2021 14:27
Last Modified:	18 Feb 2021 14:27
URI:	https://fse.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/23972

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