Antarctic ecosystems: environmental contamination, climate change, and human impact

This volume provides an overview of climate change data, its effects on the structure and functioning of Antarctic ecosystems, and the occurrence and cycling of persistent contaminants. It discusses the role of Antarctic research for the protection of the global environment. The book also examines possible future scenarios of climate change and the role of Antarctic organisms in the early detection of environmental perturbations.

The picture of Antarctica as a symbol of the last great wilderness and pristine environment has changed considerably in the last two decades. Environmental problems such as the "ozone hole" and the break-up of ice-shelves have shown that Antactica is inextricably linked to global processes and exposed to the impact of human actvities in the rest of the world. This volume provides an overview of climate change data, its effects on the structure and functioning of Antarctic ecosystems, and the occurrence and cycling of persistent contaminants. It discusses the unique physico-chemical characteristics of the Antarctic environment, ecophysiological adaptations of terrestrial and marine organisms, the transfer of contaminants in pelagic and neritic food chains and the possible consequences for animals at higher trophic levels. It concludes with possible future scenarios of climate change and atmospheric contamination and the role of Antarctic organisms in the early detection of environmental perturbations. TOC:1 Antartica: geomorphology and climate trends.- 2 Glacial, terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems.- 3 The Southern Ocean environment: anthropogenic impact and climate change.- 4 Persistent contaminants in the Antarctic atmosphere.- 5 Anthropogenic contaminants in snow, terrestrial ecosystems and inland waters.- 6 Trace elements in Antarctic seawater and sediments and polluted coastal ecosystems.- 7 Heavy metals and POPs in Antarctic marine food chains.- 8 Climate change, anthropogenic impact and environmental research in Antarctica: a perspective.- References.- Subject index

Choice Outstanding Title! (January 2006) The image of Antarctica as a symbol of the last great wilderness and pristine environment has changed considerably in the last two decades. Environmental problems such as the ozone hole and the break-up of ice-shelves have shown that Antarctica is inextricably linked to global processes and exposed to the impact of human activities in the rest of the world. This volume provides an overview of climate change data, its effects on the structure and functioning of Antarctic ecosystems, and the occurrence and cycling of persistent contaminants. It discusses the unique physico-chemical characteristics of the Antarctic environment, ecophysiological adaptations of terrestrial and marine organisms, the transfer of contaminants in pelagic and neritic food chains and the possible consequences for animals at higher trophic levels. The text concludes with possible future scenarios of climate change and atmospheric contamination and the role of Antarctic organisms in the early detection of environmental perturbations.