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Photosynthetic light requirements and vertical distribution of macroalgae in newly ice-free areas in Potter Cove, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica

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Abstract

In Potter Cove, Antarctica, newly ice-free areas appeared due to glacial retreat. Simultaneously, the inflow of sediment increased, reducing underwater photosynthetically active radiation (PAR, 400–700 nm). The aim of this study was to determine the photosynthetic characteristics of two macroalgal species colonizing three newly ice-free areas, A1, A2 and A3, with increasing degree of glacial influence from A1 to A3. Turbidity, salinity and temperature were measured, and light attenuation coefficients (K d) calculated and considered as a proxy for glacial sediment input. The lower depth distribution of the red alga Palmaria decipiens and the brown alga Himantothallus grandifolius was 10 m in A3, 20 m in A2 and 30 m in A1. Both species were then collected, at 5 and 10 m at all areas. Photosynthetic parameters and the daily metabolic carbon balance (CB) were determined. K d was significantly higher in A3 compared with A1 and A2. The CB of P. decipiens was significantly higher in A1 followed by A2 and A3, and significantly higher at shallower than at greater depth. For H. grandifolius CB was significantly lower in A3 and in A2 at deeper depths compared with the rest of areas and depths. The lower distribution limit of the algae was positively correlated to the light penetration. An increase in the sediment run-off due to global warming might lead to an elevation of the lower depth distribution limit but retreating glaciers can open new space for macroalgal colonization. These changes will probably affect macroalgal primary productivity in Potter Cove with consequences for the coastal ecosystem.

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Acknowledgments

The work has been performed at Dallmann Laboratory, annex to Carlini (formerly Jubany) Station, within the framework of the scientific collaboration existing between Instituto Antártico Argentino/Dirección Nacional del Antártico and Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research. We thank the Instituto Antártico Argentino-Dirección Nacional del Antártico. We are especially grateful to the scientific, logistic and diving groups of Carlini Station-Dallmann Laboratory for their technical assistance during the Antarctic expeditions. In addition, we thank J. Robert Waaland and Thomas Mumford for their comments which helped to improve the manuscript. We gratefully acknowledge financial support by the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research, Germany, DAAD, MINCYT-BMBF. The research was also supported by Grants from DNA-IAA (PICTA 7/2008-2011) and ANPCyT-DNA (PICTO 0116/2012-2015). The present manuscript also presents an outcome of the EU project IMCONet (FP7 IRSES, Action No. 319718).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Biología Costera, Instituto Antártico Argentino, Cerrito 1248, 1010AAZ, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    D. Deregibus, M. L. Quartino & G. L. Campana

  2. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “B. Rivadavia”, Av. A. Gallardo 470, C1405DJR, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    M. L. Quartino

  3. Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Nacional de Luján, Ruta 5 y Avenida Constitución, 6700, Luján, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    G. L. Campana & F. R. Momo

  4. Instituto de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de General Sarmiento, J.M. Gutiérrez 1150, B1613GSX, Los Polvorines, Argentina

    F. R. Momo

  5. Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Am Handelshafen 12, 27570, Bremerhaven, Germany

    C. Wiencke & K. Zacher

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  1. D. Deregibus
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  2. M. L. Quartino
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  5. C. Wiencke
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Correspondence to D. Deregibus.

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This article is an invited contribution on Life in Antarctica: Boundaries and Gradients in a Changing Environment as the main theme of the XIth SCAR Biology Symposium. J.-M. Gili and R. Zapata Guardiola (Guest Editors).

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Deregibus, D., Quartino, M.L., Campana, G.L. et al. Photosynthetic light requirements and vertical distribution of macroalgae in newly ice-free areas in Potter Cove, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica. Polar Biol 39, 153–166 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-015-1679-y

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