Summary
Sediment resuspension is a common phenomenon whose importance may be magnified in nearshore environments surrounding Antarctica, especially during the austral winter. Analyses suggest that sediments in the vicinity of McMurdo Station contain viable algal material throughout this period of darkness. The resuspension of these sediments, shown by sediment trap collections and underwater observations, would introduce organics into the water column and may provide an alternative food source for planktonic herbivores inhabiting near-shore environments during the Antarctic winter.
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Berkman, P.A., Marks, D.S. & Shreve, G.P. Winter sediment resuspension in McMurdo Sound, Antarctica, and its ecological implications. Polar Biol 6, 1–3 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00446234
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00446234