Ukrainian polar explorers discovered a sudden increase in the content of chlorophyll in the ocean: what does this indicate
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Scientists from the Antarctic research station “Akademik Vernadskyi” discovered a sudden increase in the content of chlorophyll in the ocean in the area of Galindez Island.
According to the National Antarctic Science Center, in November 2023, at all points where water samples are taken for monitoring studies, this indicator was 2.5-3 times higher, compared to the one recorded in November 2022.
Researchers assume that this is related to the consequences of global warming: recently record low sea ice areas have been recorded in the Antarctic, so the ocean receives more sunlight and heats up.
This is evidenced by the water temperature at the monitoring points:
- in November 2022, it ranged from -1.1 to -0.7 C°;
- this year – from 0.3 to 0.9 C°.
| Photo: National Antarctic Science Center |
“Light and increased temperature accelerate the process of photosynthesis in plants, in which chlorophyll takes an active part. Therefore, the increase in the content of chlorophyll in water samples indicates the active development of plant organisms (phytoplankton) in the ocean. Most of them are single-celled microscopic or even nanoalgae, which are difficult to see by the unarmed eye” – scientists explain.
Polar scientists point out that the increase in the number of phytoplankton, which is the basis of nutrition for all ocean inhabitants, starts cascading processes and affects the life of other marine organisms – from krill to whales.
More light will also cause changes in microalgae cell size and other characteristics.
“According to scientists, all these processes will change the architecture of ocean food webs and have global consequences for the flow of matter and energy in marine ecosystems. Therefore, knowing the response to climate change of phytoplankton (and it is very sensitive to changes in environmental conditions), it is possible to predict its impact on other organisms – krill, fish, whales and seals”– claim the National Center for Scientific Research.
The samples that gave such an increase in chlorophyll in the ocean will be carefully studied for the composition of bacterial and phytoplankton communities and the interaction between them.
How is phytoplankton researched at “Vernadskyi”?
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| Scientists are taking water samples for monitoring studies at several points around Galindez Island |
The Antarctic Scientific Center says that Ukrainian polar explorers regularly take water samples at certain points around the island where the station is located.
In the laboratory, this water is filtered, extracting samples of phytoplankton and bacterioplankton from it, as well as determining the content of chlorophyll and hydrochemical parameters (concentrations of oxygen, iron, nitrate, nitrite, sulfate, etc.). Samples of bacterioplankton and phytoplankton are fixed, stored in special conditions and then transported to Ukraine for further study.
“Preliminary research by our scientists shows that the process of active development of phytoplankton in the spring-summer period occurs annually, but different groups of organisms can be behind it. The study of this very difference allows us to monitor the impact of climate change on the marine environment.” – noted in the National Academy of Sciences.
It will be recalled that Ukrainian scientists have discovered a new species of leeches from the Antarctic.
Read also: Ukrainian polar explorers showed how penguins wait for babies to appear. VIDEO
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