For once, it’s not about the penguin, but about the algae it is standing on. Marine macroalgae like these on Macquarie Island contain a variety of substances that could be beneficial to human health. (Photo: Michael Wenger) Antarctic algae may have a stronger...
Actually, Melosira arctica, Alga of the Year 2016, is a single-celled organism. But it forms large carpets under the Arctic sea ice, which then sink into the deep sea as lumps. In the process, they also transport a dangerous cargo: Microplastics. Image: Oliver Müller,...
Southern right whales spend the austral winter in the warmer waters off the Valdez Peninsula, where they give birth to their calves. Weighing between 50 and 80 tons, the animals are popular with local tourism officials for whale-watching tours and often display...
The Arctic sea ice is not only home to polar bears and seals. A variety of different organisms live under and on the ice, including ice algae. These use the brine channels in the ice to survive. Many even require the ice in their reproductive cycle. Picture: Michael...
The red and green areas on snow patches on the Antarctic Peninsula come from various types of algae that find perfect growing conditions under or on the snow. Mostly thanks to the penguins. Photo: Michael Wenger Snow should be white and as a child you are always...