Decline of periglacial zones: biodiversity at risk

Near Antarctica and the Arctic, cold regions known as 'periglacial zones'  may almost disappear by the end of the century due to climate change, according to recent research. If this happens, it will cause major harm to biodiversity and it…

No agreement on protected area off East Antarctic coast

Despite pressure from Australia, France and the EU, the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) recently failed to reach agreement on creating a new Marine Protection Area (MPA) off the East Antarctic coast.…

Methane-eating bacteria found under West Antarctic ice sheet

Scientists from the University of Aberystwyth, Wales, involved in Antarctic research have found ‘methane-eating’ bacteria that act as a kind of biological filter in water samples from Lake Whillans. These potentially beneficial bacteria…