Colonization and distribution of benthic macrofauna in areas of glacial retreat of Martel Inlet (King George Island, Antarctica)

• Grant number: 24/08905-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: March 01, 2025
• End date: March 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Oceanography - Biological Oceanography
• Principal Investigator: Paulo Yukio Gomes Sumida
• Grantee: Pedro Augusto Simões
• Host Institution: Instituto Oceanográfico (IO). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 19/12551-8 - Benthic connections of high Southern Latitudes: BECOOL, AP.PFPMCG.TEM

Abstract

The Antarctic Peninsula is pointed out as one of the most heavily impacted areas by the global temperature increase, evidenced by the glacier retreat, one of the main consequences of this phenomenon. The benthic species colonization on the substrate exposed by glacier retreat or by the mortality of organisms caused by physicochemical changes in the seawater and increased occurrence of ice-scours, may result in significant alterations in the benthic community of the region, which may be aggravated by the acceleration of ice melting observed in recent decades. Martel Inlet, located in King George Island, in the Antarctic Peninsula, experienced a drastic loss of marine-terminating glaciers coverage area between the years 1956 and 2000. This study is part of the project BECOOL (BEnthic COnnections Of high southern Latitudes) and aims to investigate variations in composition, biodiversity, and the distribution of feeding and mobility strategies of benthic macrofauna at different periods of retreat at Dobrowolski and Krak glaciers in Martel Inlet, searching for indicators of macrofauna colonization in these areas. Sampling was conducted between February and March 2023, with transects conducted in different retreat zones of the glaciers at depths of around 30 meters. After screening and identifying the macrofauna, higher density and diversity of organisms and functional groups are expected to be found in areas with longer post-retreat exposure time less exposure to ice effects. These results will contribute to a better understanding of the processes of distribution and benthic colonization in areas near glaciers in Admiralty Bay, a region of great biological importance, designated as the first specially managed area in Antarctica in 1996.