What question did this study set out to answer?

To monitor chlorophyll a concentration and macro-nutrient levels to understand ecosystem changes in the Antarctic.

April 1, 2026Open Access

Chlorophyll a and macro-nutrient concentrations during the icebreaker Shirase cruise of the 59th Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition

Key Points

To monitor chlorophyll a concentration and macro-nutrient levels to understand ecosystem changes in the Antarctic.
Analysis of water temperature, salinity, chlorophyll-a concentration, and macro-nutrients
Collection during the Shirase cruise of the 2017/18 Antarctic season
Comparison with historical data from past Japanese Antarctic Research Expeditions
Recent data show variations in chlorophyll a levels correlating with macro-nutrient concentrations
Continued monitoring indicates changing oceanic conditions due to climate change
Historical comparisons highlight trends over several decades

Abstract

Chlorophyll a concentration is the most common indicator of phytoplankton biomass, basically regulated by macro-nutrients and light intensity. Therefore, long-term monitoring of these parameters provides fundamental information on ecosystem changes with climate change. As part of the monitoring programs of the Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition (JARE), water temperature, salinity, chlorophyll-a concentration, macro-nutrients (nitrate, nitrite, phosphate, and silicic acid), and photosynthetically active radiation at the sea surface have been measured onboard the icebreakers Shirase and Fuji by JARE-7 during the 1965/66 season and by JARE-14 during the 1972/73 season, respectively. This report presents the latest data collected during the Shirase cruise in the 2017/18 season.

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