The locations of humpback whale catches in the early 20th century indicate that most climate models overestimate the historic extent of sea ice in the Southern Ocean.
Antarctica
Anchoring Is Damaging the Fragile Antarctic Seabed
Scientists call for better protection of Antarctica’s vulnerable seafloor ecosystem as ship traffic increases around the continent.
Where Do Antarctic Submarine Canyons Get Their Marine Life?
A new study investigates how much of the phytoplankton in the Palmer Deep submarine canyon is homemade and how much is delivered.
Is Your Shampoo Washing Up in Antarctica?
Researchers have found chemicals from personal care products like shampoo, deodorant, and laundry soap in Antarctic snow.
Pungent Penguin Poop Produces Polar Cloud Particles
The discovery highlights how penguins and other polar seabirds help shape their environments, even as they are under threat from climate change.
Newly Discovered Algae May Speed Melting of Antarctic Ice
Purple pigmentation in a diverse array of algae absorbs heat and creates a feedback loop responsible for 2% of total daily melting.
Nonlinear Dynamics May Lead to Faster Retreat of Antarctic Ice
The Antarctic ice sheet behaves like a non-Newtonian fluid and may be more nonlinear than previously thought. This impacts its future stability and requires revisions to predictions of sea level rise.
Thriving Antarctic Ecosystem Revealed by a Departing Iceberg
A quick-calving iceberg gave scientists a rare glimpse into what hides beneath Antarctic ice.
Subglacial Hydrology Under the Antarctic Ice Sheet
Using simulations of subglacial hydrology, a new study shows the volume and movement of meltwater underneath the Antarctic Ice Sheet.
Glacier Intervention Research Isn’t Just for Glaciologists
Prospects for mitigating sea level rise by slowing flows of glacial ice into the ocean are worthy of research, but this work must involve all rights holders and stakeholders.