Modelling suspended particulate matter dynamics at an Antarctic fjord impacted by glacier melt

• DOI: 10.1016/j.jmarsys.2022.103734
• Publication Date: 2022-03-22T01:38:17Z
• Authors: Camila Neder; Vera Fofonova; Alexey Androsov; Ivan Kuznetsov; Doris Abele; Ulrike Falk; Irene R. Schloss; Ricardo Sahade; Kerstin Jerosch
• Keywords: Cove; Meltwater; Fjord; Westerlies

When Antarctic glaciers retreat, high sediment loads from geomorphological and glaciological sources can disturb the biota, especially filtering organisms, thereby significantly alter ecology of coast. We applied Finite volumE Sea-ice Ocean-Coastal Model (FESOM-C), a numerical tool equipped with module, to simulate for first time suspended particulate matter (SPM) dynamics in fjordic environment at northern West Peninsula, Potter Cove as case study. Depth-averaged SPM during meteorologically representative austral summer (120 days December March) considered tidal atmospheric forcing. Additionally, idealised experiments passive particles based on post-processing Lagrangian module identified followed possible material trajectories Cove. Particle area show them be primarily wind-driven, sensitive bathymetry, higher concentrations inner cove highest hydrographical complexity transitional between marine habitat. The plume covers 5.5 km2 total inlet 9 km2, monthly mean values 15 330 mg/l. maximum are January (790 mg/l), expansion February. model was validated available situ measurements. With this study, we identify areas (and similar coastal environments, prospectively) increasing physical stress by longer residence accumulation rates induced glacial meltwater. These factors crucial pelagic benthic assemblages dependent light food availability, well deposition.