The South Atlantic Dipole via multichannel singular spectrum analysis.

This study analyzes coupled atmosphere-ocean variability in the South Atlantic Ocean. To do so, we characterize the spatio-temporal variability of annual mean sea-surface temperature (SST) and sea-level pressure (SLP) using Multichannel Singular Spectrum Analysis (M-SSA). We applied M-SSA to ERA5 reanalysis data (1959-2022) of South Atlantic SST and SLP, both individually and jointly, and identified a nonlinear trend, as well as two climate oscillations. The leading oscillation, with a period of 13 years, consists of a basin-wide southwest-northeast dipole and is observed both in the individual variables and in the coupled analysis. This mode is reminiscent of the already known South Atlantic Dipole, and it is probably related to the Pacific Decadal Oscillation and to El Niño-Southern Oscillation in the Pacific Ocean. The second oscillation has a 5-year period and also displays a dipolar structure. The main difference between the spatial structure of the decadal, 13-year, and the interannual, 5-year mode is that, in the first one, the SST cold tongue region in the southeast Atlantic's Cape Basin is included in the pole closer to the equator. Together, these two oscillatory modes, along with the trend, capture almost 40% of the total interannual variability of the SST and SLP fields, and of their co-variability. These results provide further insights into the spatio-temporal evolution of SST and SLP variability in the South Atlantic, in particular as it relates to the South Atlantic Dipole and its predictability.

Biogeochemical and oceanographic conditions provide insights about current status of an Antarctic fjord affected by relatively slow glacial retreat.

Understand the origin, transport, and character of organic matter entering Antarctic fjords is essential as they are major components of the global carbon cycle and budget. Macromolecular pools of particulate organic matter, bulk organic geochemistry, major and trace elements in surface sediments from Collins Bay were analysed as source indicators. Oceanographic conditions, bathymetry (multibeam) and grain size were considered as environmental controlling factors. Sediment samples were taken with a van Veen grab, during the ANTAR XXV Peruvian expedition (February 2018), onboard the R/V "BAP Carrasco" from the Peruvian Navy. Biopolymeric composition revealed the predominance of fresh marine protein-rich organic matter in the seafloor of Collins Bay, denoting high quality food resource for marine benthic heterotrophs. Based on Igeo values (between 0 and 1) Collins Bay can be considered unpolluted with natural levels of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn. Distribution of most of these elements with a gradient of decrease from the shallow inner fjord towards the outer deepest fjord, suggest their association with the deposition of detrital material and lithogenic particles supplied by Collins Glacier frontal ablation and runoff. This first comprehensive baseline information would assist in interpreting downcore sedimentary reconstructions and future climate-induce changes.

Rapid freshwater discharge on the coastal ocean as a mean of long distance spreading of an unprecedented toxic cyanobacteria bloom.

Cyanobacterial toxic blooms are a worldwide problem. The Río de la Plata (RdlP) basin makes up about one fourth of South America areal surface, second only to the Amazonian. Intensive agro-industrial land use and the construction of dams have led to generalized eutrophication of main tributaries and increased the intensity and duration of cyanobacteria blooms. Here we analyse the evolution of an exceptional bloom at the low RdlP basin and Atlantic coast during the summer of 2019. A large array of biological, genetic, meteorological, oceanographic and satellite data is combined to discuss the driving mechanisms. The bloom covered the whole stripe of the RdlP estuary and the Uruguayan Atlantic coasts (around 500 km) for approximately 4 months. It was caused by the Microcystis aeruginosa complex (MAC), which produces hepatotoxins (microcystin). Extreme precipitation in the upstream regions of Uruguay and Negro rivers' basins caused high water flows and discharges. The evolution of meteorological and oceanographic conditions as well as the similarity of organisms' traits in the affected area suggest that the bloom originated in eutrophic reservoirs at the lower RdlP basin, Salto Grande in the Uruguay river, and Negro river reservoirs. High temperatures and weak Eastern winds prompted the rapid dispersion of the bloom over the freshwater plume along the RdlP northern and Atlantic coasts. The long-distance rapid drift allowed active MAC organisms to inoculate freshwater bodies from the Atlantic basin, impacting environments relevant for biodiversity conservation. Climate projections for the RdlP basin suggest an increase in precipitation and river water flux, which, in conjunction with agriculture intensification and dams' construction, might turn this extraordinary event into an ordinary situation.