ISSN: 2157-7625

Journal of Ecosystem & Ecography
Open Access

Our Group organises 3000+ Global Conferenceseries Events every year across USA, Europe & Asia with support from 1000 more scientific Societies and Publishes 700+ Open Access Journals which contains over 50000 eminent personalities, reputed scientists as editorial board members.

Open Access Journals gaining more Readers and Citations
700 Journals and 15,000,000 Readers Each Journal is getting 25,000+ Readers

This Readership is 10 times more when compared to other Subscription Journals (Source: Google Analytics)
  • Short Communication   
  • J Ecosys Ecograph 2023, Vol 13(4): 393
  • DOI: 10.4172/2157-7625.1000393

The Oceanography of the Antarctic Ocean: A Unique and Fragile Ecosystem

Charlotte Benedict*
Department of Ecosystem, University of Essex, United Kingdom
*Corresponding Author: Charlotte Benedict, Department of Ecosystem, University of Essex, United Kingdom, Email: CharlotteB@hotmail.com

Received: 03-Apr-2023 / Manuscript No. jee-23-96182 / Editor assigned: 06-Apr-2023 / PreQC No. jee-23-96182 (PQ) / Reviewed: 20-Apr-2023 / QC No. jee-23-96182 / Revised: 22-Apr-2023 / Manuscript No. jee-23-96182 (R) / Published Date: 29-Apr-2023 DOI: 10.4172/2157-7625.1000393

Abstract

The Antarctic Ocean, also known as the Southern Ocean, surrounds the continent of Antarctica and is the southernmost and coldest ocean in the world. The oceanography of the Antarctic Ocean is unique and complex, with a range of physical, chemical, and biological processes that contribute to the formation and maintenance of this fragile ecosystem. In this article, we will explore the oceanography of the Antarctic Ocean and the challenges it faces in the current global climate.

Keywords

Oceanography; Biodiversity; Ecosystem

Introduction

The Antarctic Ocean is characterized by strong and persistent ocean currents, including the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC), which circulates around the continent of Antarctica. The ACC is the largest current in the world, carrying vast amounts of water and nutrients around the ocean. It is also an important driver of global climate, as it helps to transport heat and carbon dioxide from the tropics to the poles. The ACC is also responsible for the upwelling of nutrient-rich waters, which support a thriving ecosystem of phytoplankton and other organisms [1, 2].

Methodology

The oceanography of the Antarctic Ocean is closely linked to the seasonal and annual variations in sea ice cover. The Antarctic sea ice expands and contracts throughout the year, reaching its maximum extent in September and its minimum extent in February. The sea ice cover affects a range of physical and biological processes, including ocean circulation, heat transfer, and the growth of phytoplankton. In recent years, there has been a significant decline in Antarctic sea ice, which is likely to have significant implications for the oceanography and ecology of the region [3, 4].

The chemistry of the Antarctic Ocean is also unique, with lower levels of dissolved oxygen and higher levels of dissolved carbon dioxide than other oceans. This is partly due to the strong upwelling of deep, nutrient-rich water, which brings with it high levels of dissolved carbon dioxide. The Antarctic Ocean is also one of the most acidic oceans in the world, with a pH level that is decreasing due to the absorption of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This process, known as ocean acidification, has significant implications for the ability of marine organisms to build and maintain their shells and skeletons [5, 6].

The Antarctic Ocean is home to a rich and diverse array of marine life, including krill, fish, seals, and whales. Krill are a key component of the Antarctic food web, serving as the primary food source for many of the larger predators, such as whales and seals. The abundance of krill in the Antarctic Ocean is closely linked to the seasonal and annual variations in sea ice cover, as krill feed on the phytoplankton that grows under the sea ice. Changes in the sea ice cover are therefore likely to have significant implications for the ecology and productivity of the region [7, 8].

The Antarctic Ocean is also an important habitat for many migratory species, such as humpback whales, which travel from their breeding grounds in tropical waters to feed in the krill-rich waters of the Antarctic. The migration patterns of these species are closely linked to the seasonal variations in sea ice cover and the availability of food. Changes in the oceanography of the Antarctic Ocean, such as those caused by climate change, are likely to have significant impacts on the migration patterns and distribution of these species [9].

Discussion

The Antarctic Ocean is also an important region for scientific research, with a range of studies being conducted on the physical, chemical, and biological processes that occur within the ocean. These studies are essential for understanding the complex and fragile ecosystem of the Antarctic Ocean and for developing strategies to protect and conserve this unique environment.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the oceanography of the Antarctic Ocean is complex and unique, with a range of physical, chemical, and biological processes that contribute to the formation and maintenance of this fragile ecosystem. Changes in the global climate, such as the decline in Antarctic sea ice [10].

References

  1. Abaychi JK, Dou Abal AA (1985) Trace metals in Shatt AI-Arab River, Iraq. Water Research 19: 457-462.
  2. Google Scholar, Crossref

  3. Ogunfowokani AO, Subiojo OI, Fatoki OS (2003) Isolation and determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in surface runoff and sediments. Water Air and Soil Pollution 147: 245-261.
  4. Indexed at, Google Scholar   

  5. AI-lmarah FJM, AI-Khafaji BY, Moharned ARM (1998) Trace metals in waters, sediments and fishes from Northwest Arabian Gulf. Bull Nat Inst Occanogr Fish A.R.E 24: 403-416.
  6. Google Scholar   

  7. AI-Khafaji BY, AI-lmarah FJM, Mohamed ARM (1997) Trace metals in water, sediments and green black Mallet (Liza Subviridis, Valencielles, 1836) of the Shatt AI-Arab Estuary, NW Arabian Gulf Marina Mesopotamica 12: 7-23.
  8. Baumard P, Budzinski H, Garrigues P, Sorbe JC, Burgeot T, et al.  (1998) Concentration of PAH in various marine organisms in relation to those in sediments to trophic level. Mar Pollut Bull 36: 951-960.
  9. Google Scholar, Crossref

  10. Baumard P, Budzinski H, Garrigues P (1998) Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sediments and mussels of the western Mediterranean Sea. Environ Toxicol Chem 17: 765-776.
  11. Google Scholar, Crossref

  12. Cheng-Di D, Chih-Feng C, Chiu-Wen C (2012) Determination of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Industrial Harbor Sediments by GC-MS. Int J Environ Res Public Health 9: 2175-2188.
  13. Indexed at, Google Scholar, Crossref

  14. Nasher E, Heng LY, Zakaria Z, Salmijah S (2013) Assessing the Ecological Risk of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Sediments at Langkawi Island, Malaysia. The Scientific World Journal 13.
  15. Indexed at, Google Scholar, Crossref

  16. López GI (2017) Grain size analysis. Encyclopedia of Earth Science Series Encyclopedia of Geoarchaeology, Allan S Gilbert Springer 341-348.
  17. Indexed at, Google Scholar, Crossref

  18. Li G, Xia X, Yang Z, Wang R, Voulvoulis N (2006) Distribution and sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River, China. Environ Pollut 144: 985-993.
  19. Indexed at, Google Scholar, Crossref

Citation: Benedict C (2023) The Oceanography of the Antarctic Ocean: A Unique and Fragile Ecosystem. J Ecosys Ecograph 13: 393. DOI: 10.4172/2157-7625.1000393

Copyright: © 2023 Benedict C. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

http://sacs17.amberton.edu/

Top