Iceberg A23a's grounding poses threat to wildlife, fisheries
The largest iceberg in the world, A23a, has become stranded near South Georgia, raising concerns among fishermen and scientists.
The iceberg A23a, regarded as the largest in the world, has run aground in the southern Atlantic near the British island of South Georgia. This island is home to millions of penguins and seals. The BBC reported this information, sparking concern among fishermen who worry that ice formations might restrict access to fishing grounds.
A nutrient bomb in the middle of a desert
Scientists from the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) highlight the potential effects of the iceberg's grounding. Massive amounts of nutrients are trapped beneath the ice, which may be released during melting. Prof. Nadine Johnston from BAS compared this to "dropping a nutrient bomb in the middle of a desert." Nutrient-release could lead to a phytoplankton bloom, visible in satellite images as a green "glow" around the ice.
However, melting A23a could also negatively impact local birds and wildlife, particularly macaroni penguins. Changes in water salinity may affect food availability, including krill, which these birds consume. Consequently, the penguins may be forced to seek new foraging grounds.
The history of iceberg A23a
In 1986, iceberg A23a broke off from the Filchner-Ronne Ice Shelf in West Antarctica. Initially, its surface area was approximately 3,900 square kilometres, but it has now decreased to about 3,200 square kilometres. In December 2024, the iceberg freed itself from an oceanic gyre and began moving north toward warmer waters. By mid-February, it accelerated, traveling up to 30 kilometres a day until it finally hit the shallow continental shelf, about 80 kilometres from land.
Scientists predict that A23a will remain stranded for some time, which may impact the region's local ecosystems and fishing activities. The fishing season begins in April, and the ice might block ports or complicate navigation.
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