Benthic changes at McMurdo Station, Antarctica following local sewage treatment and regional iceberg-mediated productivity decline

Conlan, Kathleen E.; Kim, S.L.; Thurber, Andrew R.; Hendrycks, Edward A.

doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2009.10.009

Cited by 34 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 60 publications

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“…These tubes, which can reach lengths of 85 mm and have a hollow 2 mm diameter, are constructed of sediment that has been cemented by mucous. An ecosystem engineer, S. tcherniai populations in McMurdo Sound, Antarctica, can form dense tube mats containing over 3000 individuals per square meter (Conlan et al, 2010; Kim et al, 2010). Spiophanes tcherniai is characterized primarily as a selective deposit feeder with the capacity for secondary suspension feeding (Oliver and Slattery, 1985; Kim et al, 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

DNA methylation and temperature stress in an Antarctic polychaete, Spiophanes tcherniai

Marsh¹,

Pasqualone²

2014

Front. Physiol.

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Epigenetic modifications of DNA and histones are a primary mechanism by which gene expression activities may be modified in response to environmental stimuli. Here we characterize patterns of methyl-cytosine composition in the marine polychaete Spiophanes tcherniai from McMurdo Sound, Antarctica. We cultured adult worms at two temperatures, −1.5°C (ambient control) and +4°C (warm treatment), for 4 weeks. We observed a rapid capacity for S. tcherniai organismal respiration rates and underlying catalytic rates of citrate synthase at +4°C to return to control levels in less than 4 weeks. We profiled changes in the methylation states of CpG sites in these treatments using an NGS strategy to computationally reconstruct and quantify methylation status across the genome. In our analysis we recovered 120,000 CpG sites in assembled contigs from both treatments. Of those, we were able to align 28,000 CpG sites in common between the two sample groups. In comparing these aligned sites between treatments, only 3000 (11%) evidenced a change in methylation state, but over 85% of changes involved a gain of a 5-methyl group on a CpG site (net increase in methyation). The ability to score CpG sites as partially methylated among gDNA copies in a sample opens up a new avenue for assessing DNA methylation responses to changing environments. By quantitatively distinguishing a “mixed” population of copies of one CpG site, we can begin to identify dynamic, non-binary, continuous-response reactions in DNA methylation intensity or density that previously may have been overlooked as noise.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

DNA methylation and temperature stress in an Antarctic polychaete, Spiophanes tcherniai

Marsh¹,

Pasqualone²

2014

Front. Physiol.

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“…However, it is possible that disturbance from anthropogenic and natural sources may play a role in the distribution pattern of both species by limiting suitable habitat and increasing competition for shared food resources and habitat. Pollution at McMurdo Sound may also restrict the range of both species by reducing faunal recruitment (Thompson et al 2006;Conlan et al 2010). Natural impacts from ice scour further reduce habitat and food availability at shallower stations (Dayton et al 1970).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Distribution of two species of the genus Nototanais spp. (Tanaidacea) in Winter Quarters Bay and waters adjoining McMurdo Station, McMurdo Sound, Antarctica

et al. 2015

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Nototanais is the most commonly found peracarid crustacean genus in Antarctic waters. The only two species in the genus, Nototanais dimorphus and Nototanais antarcticus, have been found to have overlapping circumpolar distributions in depths from 7 m to 585 m around Antarctica. However, only one species, N. dimorphus, has been recorded during yearly sampling from 2000 to 2010 at nine shallow (12-36 m) benthic pollution monitoring sites in Winter Quarters Bay and waters adjoining McMurdo Station, McMurdo Sound, Antarctica. These stations varied by depth, anchor ice formation and anthropogenic contamination. In 2011 and 2012, 1071 specimens of Nototanais spp. were collected and separated by species, gender and life stage. N. antarcticus was confirmed to cooccur with N. dimorphus at four of nine long-term monitoring sites. One station had no occurrences of either species. N. antarcticus was found in very low abundances in relation to N. dimorphus, indicating that individual species distributions may be modified by pollution and anchor ice, among other biological factors.

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“…Recent installations of modern sewage treatment plants demonstrate growing efforts by national Antarctic programmes to fulfil the guidelines of the Madrid Protocol. Nevertheless, a constant monitoring regime should be implemented to guarantee the efficiency of the treatment processes and to minimize the risk of introducing nutrients, pollutants and alien microorganisms (Smith 2000;Hughes 2003;Conlan 2004Conlan , 2010ASOC 2009;Grondahl et al 2009;Smith & Riddle 2009). Several studies have shown that discharging even low volumes of sewage may have a significant effect on the environment (ASOC 2009;Tin et al 2009).…”

Section: Waste Managementmentioning

confidence: 99%

Environmental monitoring and management proposals for the Fildes Region, King George Island, Antarctica

Braun¹,

Mustafa²,

Nordt³

et al. 2012

Polar Research

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The Antarctic terrestrial environment is under increasing pressure from human activities. The Fildes Region is characterized by high biodiversity, but is also a major logistic centre for the northern Antarctic Peninsula. Different interests, from scientific research, nature conservation, protection of geological and historical values, station operations, transport logistics and tourism, regularly overlap in space and time. This has led to increasing conflict among the multiple uses of the region and breaches of the legal requirements for environmental protection that apply in the area. The aim of this study was to assess the impacts of human activities in the Fildes Region by monitoring the distribution of bird and seal breeding sites and recording human activities and their associated environmental impacts. Data from an initial monitoring period 2003–06 were compared with data from 2008–10. We observed similar or increased levels of air, land and ship traffic, but fewer violations of overflight limits near Antarctic Specially Protected Area No. 150 Ardley Island. Open waste dumping and oil contamination are still major environmental impacts. Scientific and outdoor leisure activities undertaken by station personnel are more frequent than tourist activities and are likely to have a commensurate level of environmental impact. Despite the initial success of some existing management measures, it is essential that scientific and environmental values continue to be safeguarded, otherwise environmental impacts will increase and the habitat will be further degraded. We argue that the Fildes Region should be considered for designation as an Antarctic Specially Managed Area, a measure that has proven effective for environmental management of vulnerable areas of the Antarctic

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Benthic changes at McMurdo Station, Antarctica following local sewage treatment and regional iceberg-mediated productivity decline

Cited by 34 publications

References 60 publications

DNA methylation and temperature stress in an Antarctic polychaete, Spiophanes tcherniai

DNA methylation and temperature stress in an Antarctic polychaete, Spiophanes tcherniai

Distribution of two species of the genus Nototanais spp. (Tanaidacea) in Winter Quarters Bay and waters adjoining McMurdo Station, McMurdo Sound, Antarctica

Environmental monitoring and management proposals for the Fildes Region, King George Island, Antarctica

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