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Biogeochemistry in shallow benthic communities of a fjord on the west-Antarctic Peninsula (2015 - 2021). We investigated the influence of glacial-melt related disturbance on benthic primary production and respiration dynamics. We assessed the potential of benthic diatoms for production and studied the influence of climatic and seasonal variability on the metabolic balance. In a next step, we will investigate the carbon cycling pathways in the sediment.
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Fate of macroalgal detritus in the benthic food web of a fjord on the west-Antarctic Peninsula (2015 - 2019).
With the retreat of tidewater glaciers, new marine habitat is increasingly becoming colonized on the west-Antarctic Peninsula. In Potter Cove (North WAP), macroalgae are thriving well on the new hard substrates. Their detached fragments end up in the sediment. Here, we investigated the degradation of the macroalgal detritus in the benthic food web. Want to know more?
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TANGO, west-Antarctic Peninsula (2021-2025). Estimating Tipping points in habitability of Antarctic benthic ecosystems under GlObal future climate change scenarios. In this project, funded by the Belgian Science Policy, we aim to identify tipping points from benthic individuals, over communities, to benthic ecosystem levels in their response to a sea ice gradient on the west-Antarctic Peninsula. Field work has been caried out in the coastal areas in the Gerlache Strait (February 2024) and an area further south on the west-Antarctic Peninsula (February 2023) with the sailing vessel RV Australis.
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