Whale bones and macroalgae as source of nutrients and cations in the nearshore geoecosystem of Admiralty Bay (King George Island, Antarctica)

In the area of the western shore of Admiralty Bay (SSSI No 8), the remains of 52 whale skulls were found; along the shores of the entire bay 175 skulls were reported. These skulls of whales caught in the area at the beginning of the 20th century are now considered as protected elements of the landscape. Whale bones provide a continuous source of chemical elements and nutrients that are released into the environment; they also cumulate elements of anthropogenic origin, e.g. Pb. The bones of whales as well as macroalgae and penguin feathers might be the source of calcium, phosphorus, carbon, nitrogen and sulphur for the land ecosystem.