Biogeochemistry of the antarctic coasts: Implications for biodiversity and climate change

Abstract

Notwithstanding its largely lifeless appearance, Antarctica hosts considerable biodiversity and ecosystem (trophic-level) complexity. Antarctic soils, ice-covered areas, coastal regions, and the surrounding Southern Ocean contributes to this biodiversity. However, studies related to the number of species present, how and where they are located and their influence on the ecosystem processes are still scarce. Biodiversity and biogeochemical cycles often coincide with climate change studies. Photosynthetic carbon fixation by phytoplanktons in the Antarctic coasts influences the atmospheric CO2 levels. On a geological timescale, such processes determine the climate. In this chapter, studies on Essential Ocean Variables and elemental cycles in Antarctica are reviewed to understand the biogeochemistry of the coast of Antarctica, and how these parameters and cycles influence the different coastal features of Antarctica. In the recent past, Antarctica has experienced a rapid rate of warming that in turn has threatened its biodiversity. The effects of climate change on biogeochemical parameters and their further consequences are therefore discussed here. The second half of this chapter deals with the prokaryotic as well as eukaryotic microbial diversities of Antarctica, and the implications they hold for climate change. � 2022 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.