A new threat to the fragile marine ecosystems of Antarctica from global warming has been identified, with the discovery that an increasing number of icebergs are tearing up the sea floor and destroying any life in their way.The shallow habitats of species such as giant sea spiders, Antarctic worms, sea urchins and corals are facing a growing risk from icebergs, research has revealed, with more bergs floating freely in coastal waters as temperatures rise.While these near-shore ecosystems have always ben pounded by icebergs from time to time, crushing the animals and plants that live there, the strike rate is increasing as a warmer climate shrinks the winter sea ice that would otherwise lock the bergs in, scientists said.The retreat of coastal glaciers and the collapse of floating ice shelves also mean that more bergs are being calved into the sea, adding to the risk of scouring.
A new threat to the fragile marine ecosystems of Antarctica from global warming has been identified, with the discovery that an increasing number of icebergs are tearing up the sea floor and destroying any life in their way.
The shallow habitats of species such as giant sea spiders, Antarctic worms, sea urchins and corals are facing a growing risk from icebergs, research has revealed, with more bergs floating freely in coastal waters as temperatures rise.
While these near-shore ecosystems have always ben pounded by icebergs from time to time, crushing the animals and plants that live there, the strike rate is increasing as a warmer climate shrinks the winter sea ice that would otherwise lock the bergs in, scientists said.
The retreat of coastal glaciers and the collapse of floating ice shelves also mean that more bergs are being calved into the sea, adding to the risk of scouring.
For someone who has experienced "freaky weather" in the Antarctic up close and personal, reports this week that baby Antarctic penguins are freezing to death due to "freak rain storms," came as no surprise. Fellow explorer Jon Bowermaster had this to say: "Everyone talks about the melting of the glaciers but having day after day of rain in Antarctica is a totally new phenomenon. As a result, penguins are literally freezing to death." The sad truth is there's been a lot of freaky things happening in the Antarctic lately. If little baby penguins freezing to death isn't enough, a new study out last week from the University of Washington has found that penguin populations are plummeting due to climate change, pollution and other factors like fish stock depletion and loss of breeding habitat. Despite it still being the winter season in the Antarctic, with temperatures as low as minus 85 Fahrenheit, the massive Wilkins Ice Shelf is collapsing as we speak.
For someone who has experienced "freaky weather" in the Antarctic up close and personal, reports this week that baby Antarctic penguins are freezing to death due to "freak rain storms," came as no surprise.
Fellow explorer Jon Bowermaster had this to say:
"Everyone talks about the melting of the glaciers but having day after day of rain in Antarctica is a totally new phenomenon. As a result, penguins are literally freezing to death."
The sad truth is there's been a lot of freaky things happening in the Antarctic lately.
If little baby penguins freezing to death isn't enough, a new study out last week from the University of Washington has found that penguin populations are plummeting due to climate change, pollution and other factors like fish stock depletion and loss of breeding habitat.
Despite it still being the winter season in the Antarctic, with temperatures as low as minus 85 Fahrenheit, the massive Wilkins Ice Shelf is collapsing as we speak.
