1
|
Belyaev O, Sparaventi E, Navarro G, Rodríguez-Romero A, Tovar-Sánchez A. The contribution of penguin guano to the Southern Ocean iron pool. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1781. [PMID: 37041162 PMCID: PMC10090129 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37132-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 04/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Iron plays a crucial role in the high-nutrient, low-chlorophyll Southern Ocean regions, promoting phytoplankton growth and enhancing atmospheric carbon sequestration. In this area, iron-rich Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) and baleen whale species, which are among their main predators, play a large role in the recycling of iron. However, penguins have received limited attention despite their representing the largest seabird biomass in the southern polar region. Here, we use breeding site guano volumes estimated from drone images, deep learning-powered penguin census, and guano chemical composition to assess the iron export to the Antarctic waters from one of the most abundant penguin species, the Chinstrap penguin (Pygoscelis antarcticus). Our results show that these seabirds are a relevant contributor to the iron remobilization pool in the Southern Ocean. With an average guano concentration of 3 mg iron g-1, we estimate that the Chinstrap penguin population is recycling 521 tonnes iron yr-1, representing the current iron contribution half of the amount these penguins were able to recycle four decades ago, as they have declined by more than 50% since then.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Oleg Belyaev
- Department of Ecology and Coastal Management, Institute of Marine Sciences of Andalusia (ICMAN), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), 11510, Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain.
| | - Erica Sparaventi
- Department of Ecology and Coastal Management, Institute of Marine Sciences of Andalusia (ICMAN), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), 11510, Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain
| | - Gabriel Navarro
- Department of Ecology and Coastal Management, Institute of Marine Sciences of Andalusia (ICMAN), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), 11510, Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain
| | - Araceli Rodríguez-Romero
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Marine Research Institute (INMAR), University of Cádiz, 11510, Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain
| | - Antonio Tovar-Sánchez
- Department of Ecology and Coastal Management, Institute of Marine Sciences of Andalusia (ICMAN), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), 11510, Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Wilkie Johnston L, Bergami E, Rowlands E, Manno C. Organic or junk food? Microplastic contamination in Antarctic krill and salps. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2023; 10:221421. [PMID: 36998765 PMCID: PMC10049761 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.221421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MP) have been reported in Southern Ocean (SO), where they are likely to encounter Antarctic zooplankton and enter pelagic food webs. Here we assess the presence of MP within Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) and salps (Salpa thompsoni) and quantify their abundance and type by micro-Fourier transform infrared microscopy. MP were found in both species, with fibres being more abundant than fragments (krill: 56.25% and salps: 22.32% of the total MP). Polymer identification indicated MP originated from both local and distant sources. Our findings prove how in situ MP ingestion from these organisms is a real and ongoing process in the SO. MP amount was higher in krill (2.13 ± 0.26 MP ind-1) than salps (1.38 ± 0.42 MP ind-1), while MP size extracted from krill (130 ± 30 µm) was significantly lower than MP size from salps (330 ± 50 µm). We suggest that differences between abundance and size of MP ingested by these two species may be related to their food strategies, their ability to fragment MP as well as different human pressures within the collection areas of the study region. First comparative field-based evidence of MP in both krill and salps, two emblematic zooplankton species of the SO marine ecosystems, underlines that Antarctic marine ecosystems may be particularly sensitive to plastic pollution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Wilkie Johnston
- British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ET, UK
- University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Scotland KY16 9AJ, UK
| | - Elisa Bergami
- British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ET, UK
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Giuseppe Campi 213/D, Modena, Italy
| | - Emily Rowlands
- British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ET, UK
| | - Clara Manno
- British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ET, UK
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Ratnarajah L, Abu-Alhaija R, Atkinson A, Batten S, Bax NJ, Bernard KS, Canonico G, Cornils A, Everett JD, Grigoratou M, Ishak NHA, Johns D, Lombard F, Muxagata E, Ostle C, Pitois S, Richardson AJ, Schmidt K, Stemmann L, Swadling KM, Yang G, Yebra L. Monitoring and modelling marine zooplankton in a changing climate. Nat Commun 2023; 14:564. [PMID: 36732509 PMCID: PMC9895051 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36241-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Zooplankton are major consumers of phytoplankton primary production in marine ecosystems. As such, they represent a critical link for energy and matter transfer between phytoplankton and bacterioplankton to higher trophic levels and play an important role in global biogeochemical cycles. In this Review, we discuss key responses of zooplankton to ocean warming, including shifts in phenology, range, and body size, and assess the implications to the biological carbon pump and interactions with higher trophic levels. Our synthesis highlights key knowledge gaps and geographic gaps in monitoring coverage that need to be urgently addressed. We also discuss an integrated sampling approach that combines traditional and novel techniques to improve zooplankton observation for the benefit of monitoring zooplankton populations and modelling future scenarios under global changes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lavenia Ratnarajah
- Integrated Marine Observing System, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. .,Global Ocean Observing System, International Oceanographic Commission, UNESCO, Paris, France.
| | - Rana Abu-Alhaija
- Cyprus Subsea Consulting and Services C.S.C.S. ltd, Lefkosia, Cyprus
| | - Angus Atkinson
- Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Prospect Place, The Hoe, PL1 3DH, Plymouth, UK
| | - Sonia Batten
- North Pacific Marine Science Organization (PICES), 9860 West Saanich Road, V8L 4B2, Sidney, BC, Canada
| | | | - Kim S Bernard
- College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, Oregon State University, 104 CEOAS Admin Bldg., Corvallis, OR, 97330, USA
| | - Gabrielle Canonico
- US Integrated Ocean Observing System (US IOOS), NOAA, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Astrid Cornils
- Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Section Polar Biological Oceanography, Am Handelshafen 12, Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Jason D Everett
- School of Mathematics and Physics, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia.,CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere, Queensland Biosciences Precinct, St Lucia, 4067, Australia.,Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Maria Grigoratou
- Gulf of Maine Research Institute, 350 Commercial St, Portland, ME, 04101, USA.,Mercator Ocean International, 2 Av. de l'Aérodrome de Montaudran, 31400, Toulouse, France
| | - Nurul Huda Ahmad Ishak
- Faculty of Science and Marine Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia.,Institute of Oceanography and Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - David Johns
- The Marine Biological Association (MBA), The Laboratory, Citadel Hill, Plymouth, PL1 2PB, UK
| | - Fabien Lombard
- Sorbonne Université, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Laboratoire d'Océanographie de Villefranche (LOV), Villefranche-sur-Mer, France.,Research Federation for the Study of Global Ocean Systems Ecology and Evolution, FR2022/Tara Oceans GOSEE, 75016, Paris, France.,Institut Universitaire de France, 75231, Paris, France
| | - Erik Muxagata
- Universidade Federal de Rio Grande - FURG - Laboratório de Zooplâncton - Instituto de Oceanografia, Av. Itália, Km 8 - Campus Carreiros, 96203-900, Rio Grande, RS, Brazil
| | - Clare Ostle
- The Marine Biological Association (MBA), The Laboratory, Citadel Hill, Plymouth, PL1 2PB, UK
| | - Sophie Pitois
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Centre (Cefas), Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, NR330HT, UK
| | - Anthony J Richardson
- School of Mathematics and Physics, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia.,CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere, Queensland Biosciences Precinct, St Lucia, 4067, Australia
| | - Katrin Schmidt
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, UK
| | - Lars Stemmann
- Sorbonne Université, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Laboratoire d'Océanographie de Villefranche (LOV), Villefranche-sur-Mer, France
| | - Kerrie M Swadling
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies & Australian Antarctic Program Partnership, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Guang Yang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 7 Nanhai Road, Qingdao, 266071, PR China
| | - Lidia Yebra
- Centro Oceanográfico de Málaga (IEO, CSIC), Puerto Pesquero s/n, 29640, Fuengirola, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Abstract
Understanding the nature of organic matter flux in the ocean remains a major goal of oceanography because it impacts some of the most important processes in the ocean. Sinking particles are important for carbon dioxide removal from the atmosphere and its movement to the deep ocean. They also feed life below the ocean's productive surface and sustain life in the deep sea, in addition to depositing organic matter on the seafloor. However, the magnitude of all of these processes is dependent on the transformation of sinking particles during their journey through the water column. This review focuses on the movement of organic matter from the surface ocean to the deep sea via the biological carbon pump and examines the processes that prevent this downward movement-namely, attenuation via microbial colonization and zooplankton feeding. It also discusses how the depth-specific interactions among microbes, zooplankton, and aggregates determine carbon export as well as nutrient recycling, which in turn impact ocean production and Earth's climate.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Morten H Iversen
- Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Bremerhaven, Germany;
- Center for Marine Environmental Sciences (MARUM), University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Pauli NC, Flintrop CM, Konrad C, Pakhomov EA, Swoboda S, Koch F, Wang XL, Zhang JC, Brierley AS, Bernasconi M, Meyer B, Iversen MH. Krill and salp faecal pellets contribute equally to the carbon flux at the Antarctic Peninsula. Nat Commun 2021; 12:7168. [PMID: 34887407 PMCID: PMC8660819 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27436-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Krill and salps are important for carbon flux in the Southern Ocean, but the extent of their contribution and the consequences of shifts in dominance from krill to salps remain unclear. We present a direct comparison of the contribution of krill and salp faecal pellets (FP) to vertical carbon flux at the Antarctic Peninsula using a combination of sediment traps, FP production, carbon content, microbial degradation, and krill and salp abundances. Salps produce 4-fold more FP carbon than krill, but the FP from both species contribute equally to the carbon flux at 300 m, accounting for 75% of total carbon. Krill FP are exported to 72% to 300 m, while 80% of salp FP are retained in the mixed layer due to fragmentation. Thus, declining krill abundances could lead to decreased carbon flux, indicating that the Antarctic Peninsula could become a less efficient carbon sink for anthropogenic CO2 in future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nora-Charlotte Pauli
- Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM), Carl-von-Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, Carl-von-Ossietzky-Str. 9-11, 26111, Oldenburg, Germany. .,Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Am Handelshafen 12, 27570, Bremerhaven, Germany.
| | - Clara M. Flintrop
- grid.10894.340000 0001 1033 7684Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Am Handelshafen 12, 27570 Bremerhaven, Germany ,grid.7704.40000 0001 2297 4381MARUM and University of Bremen, Leobener Str. 8, 28359 Bremen, Germany
| | - Christian Konrad
- grid.10894.340000 0001 1033 7684Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Am Handelshafen 12, 27570 Bremerhaven, Germany ,grid.7704.40000 0001 2297 4381MARUM and University of Bremen, Leobener Str. 8, 28359 Bremen, Germany
| | - Evgeny A. Pakhomov
- grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Department of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, University of British Columbia, 2207 Main Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z4 Canada ,grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, University of British Columbia, 2202 Main Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z4 Canada ,grid.484717.9Hakai Institute, PO Box 25039, Campbell River, British Columbia V9W 0B7 Canada
| | - Steffen Swoboda
- grid.7704.40000 0001 2297 4381MARUM and University of Bremen, Leobener Str. 8, 28359 Bremen, Germany
| | - Florian Koch
- grid.10894.340000 0001 1033 7684Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Am Handelshafen 12, 27570 Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Xin-Liang Wang
- grid.43308.3c0000 0000 9413 3760Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, 106 Nanjing Road, Qingdao, 266071 China
| | - Ji-Chang Zhang
- grid.43308.3c0000 0000 9413 3760Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, 106 Nanjing Road, Qingdao, 266071 China
| | - Andrew S. Brierley
- grid.11914.3c0000 0001 0721 1626Pelagic Ecology Research Group, Gatty Marine Laboratory, Scottish Oceans Institute, School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife KY16 8LB UK
| | - Matteo Bernasconi
- grid.11914.3c0000 0001 0721 1626Pelagic Ecology Research Group, Gatty Marine Laboratory, Scottish Oceans Institute, School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife KY16 8LB UK
| | - Bettina Meyer
- Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM), Carl-von-Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, Carl-von-Ossietzky-Str. 9-11, 26111, Oldenburg, Germany. .,Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Am Handelshafen 12, 27570, Bremerhaven, Germany. .,Helmholtz Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity (HIFMB), Ammerländer Heerstraße 231, 26129, Oldenburg, Germany.
| | - Morten H. Iversen
- grid.10894.340000 0001 1033 7684Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Am Handelshafen 12, 27570 Bremerhaven, Germany ,grid.7704.40000 0001 2297 4381MARUM and University of Bremen, Leobener Str. 8, 28359 Bremen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Melnik A, Melnik L, Mashukova O, Melnikov V. Field studies of bioluminescence in the Antarctic sector of the Atlantic Ocean in 2002 and 2020. LUMINESCENCE 2021; 36:1910-1921. [PMID: 34322989 DOI: 10.1002/bio.4125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
In this work, IBSS materials on seawater bioluminescence intensity changes in the Atlantic sector of the Antarctic Ocean (the Weddell Sea area) with an interval of almost 20 years are presented. Data were obtained using a single instrument, the hydrobiophysical system Salpa-M, in the area of 50-63°S, 62-49°W in March 2002 (183 soundings at 45 stations during cruise 7 on RV Gorizont) and in February 2020 (122 soundings at 18 stations during cruise 79 on RV Academic Mstislav Keldysh). The bioluminescence studies were coupled with the simultaneous measurement of temperature, electrical conductivity, and photosynthetically active radiation, and they were compared with the data from processing plankton samples. Over the past 20 years, as a consequence of the appearance of a large number of gelatinous organisms and the resulting changes in the structure of the plankton community, the bioluminescence of Antarctic waters in the euphotic layer of this region has decreased almost two-fold, currently being in the range 8.4 × 10-12 to 104.42 × 10-12 W·cm-2 ·L-1 .
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandr Melnik
- A.O. Kovalevsky Institute of Biology of the Southern Seas of RAS (IBSS), Russia
| | - Lidia Melnik
- A.O. Kovalevsky Institute of Biology of the Southern Seas of RAS (IBSS), Russia
| | - Olga Mashukova
- A.O. Kovalevsky Institute of Biology of the Southern Seas of RAS (IBSS), Russia
| | - Victor Melnikov
- A.O. Kovalevsky Institute of Biology of the Southern Seas of RAS (IBSS), Russia
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Ratnarajah L. Regenerated iron: How important are different zooplankton groups to oceanic productivity? Curr Biol 2021; 31:R848-R850. [PMID: 34256917 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2021.05.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The scarcity of iron limits phytoplankton growth in large areas of the global ocean. Zooplankton may contribute to the cycling of iron via excretion and egestion. Despite evidence of high iron content in zooplankton excretion and faecal products, many questions arise as to the availability of regenerated iron for phytoplankton growth.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lavenia Ratnarajah
- Department of Earth, Ocean and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3GP, UK.
| |
Collapse
|