In Antarctica, the marine ecosystem is dynamically interrelated with the terrestrial ecosystem. An example of the link between these two ecosystems is the biogeochemical cycle of phosphorus. Bio- vectors, such as penguins, transport phosphorus from sea to land, play a key role in this cycle. In this paper, we selected three colonies of penguins, the most important seabirds in Antarctica, and computed the annual quantity of phosphorus transferred from sea to land by these birds. Our results show that adult penguins from colonies at Ardley Island, the Vestfold Hills, and Ross Island could transfer phosphorus in the form of guano at up to 12 349, 167 036, and 97 841 kg/a, respectively, over their breeding period. These quantities are equivalent to an annual input of 3.96× 10^9-1.63 × 10^10 kg of seawater to the land of Antarctica. Finally, we discuss the impact of phosphorus on the ice-flee areas of the Antarctica.
A sediment core was collected from the Fildes Peninsula of Antarctica, which contained numerous seal hairs and was identified to be seal excrement deposition. By analyzing its total organic carbon (TOC) and concentrations of bio-elements, the seal population changes of the past century were reconstructed. The variation of seal population in the last century on the Fildes Peninsula is primarily controlled by human activities. The sealing industry in the early 20th century caused the dramatic decline of seal popula-tion. The protection of the Antarctic seals since the 1960s and the reduced seal's competition with whales for prey resources due to whaling lead to the recovery of seal population and make the high level of the seal population sustainable.
YANG QiChaoSUN LiGuangKONG DeMingHUANG TaoWANG YuHong
