Antarctic sea-ice low resonates in the ecophysiology of humpback whales

Nash, Susan Bengtson; Groß, Jasmin; Castrillón, Juliana; Casà, Maria Valeria; Luche, Greta Dalle; Meager, Justin J.; Ghosh, Ruma; Eggebo, June; Nizzetto, Pernilla Bohlin

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.164053

Cited by 3 publications

(3 citation statements)

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“…Changes in habitat conditions affect krill physiology—for example, krill tend to move away from UV‐A radiation (Jarman et al., 1999; Newman et al., 2003), a behavior that also limits potential exposure to UV‐B radiation (Figure 2, lower panel). Krill populations are contracting southwards along with sea ice loss and warming oceans, and this has consequences for the animals that feed on them, including whales (Bengtson Nash et al., 2023; Kawaguchi et al., 2024; Pallin et al., 2023).…”

Section: The Extended Ozone Hole and Loss Of Sea Ice: Impacts For Mar...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…If sea ice breaks up early, chicks may die because they have not yet fledged (produced waterproof feathers). Lack of sea ice has profound impacts on Southern Ocean biota with many marine organisms, from krill to whales, feeding or being dependent on productivity in the sea ice zone (Bengtson Nash et al., 2023; Kawaguchi et al., 2024; Pallin et al., 2023). Sea ice also controls the amount of visible radiation reaching the water; a shorter duration of sea ice can cause ecosystem shifts in polar benthic communities from invertebrate to algal dominated (Clark et al., 2013; Gómez et al., 2019).…”

Section: The Extended Ozone Hole and Loss Of Sea Ice: Impacts For Mar...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…, lower panel). Krill populations are contracting southwards along with sea ice loss and warming oceans, and this has consequences for the animals that feed on them, including whales(Bengtson Nash et al, 2023;Kawaguchi et al, 2024;Pallin et al, 2023).Many animals breed on sea ice and on Antarctic beaches and coastal areas throughout the spring and summer. We know that increased UV-B radiation increases risk for skin cancer and cataracts F I G U R E 2 Changes in potential for exposure of Antarctic organisms to UV radiation during spring and summer.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Extended ozone depletion and reduced snow and ice cover—Consequences for Antarctic biota

Robinson,

Revell,

Mackenzie

et al. 2024

Global Change Biology

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Stratospheric ozone, which has been depleted in recent decades by the release of anthropogenic gases, is critical for shielding the biosphere against ultraviolet‐B (UV‐B) radiation. Although the ozone layer is expected to recover before the end of the 21st century, a hole over Antarctica continues to appear each year. Ozone depletion usually peaks between September and October, when fortunately, most Antarctic terrestrial vegetation and soil biota is frozen, dormant and protected under snow cover. Similarly, much marine life is protected by sea ice cover. The ozone hole used to close before the onset of Antarctic summer, meaning that most biota were not exposed to severe springtime UV‐B fluxes. However, in recent years, ozone depletion has persisted into December, which marks the beginning of austral summer. Early summertime ozone depletion is concerning: high incident UV‐B radiation coincident with snowmelt and emergence of vegetation will mean biota is more exposed. The start of summer is also peak breeding season for many animals, thus extreme UV‐B exposure (UV index up to 14) may come at a vulnerable time in their life cycle. Climate change, including changing wind patterns and strength, and particularly declining sea ice, are likely to compound UV‐B exposure of Antarctic organisms, through earlier ice and snowmelt, heatwaves and droughts. Antarctic field research conducted decades ago tended to study UV impacts in isolation and more research that considers multiple climate impacts, and the true magnitude and timing of current UV increases is needed.

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