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MMA Student Co-Authors Polar Microbiome Study in Prestigious Journal

Massachusetts Maritime Academy student McCaela Acord co-authors polar microbiome study published in Journal of Phycology, exploring bacterial communities in Southern Ocean phytoplankton ecosystems.

This research matters because polar marine ecosystems are among the most vulnerable to climate change, and understanding microbial interactions within these environments provides critical insights into how ocean ecosystems function and respond to environmental shifts. Phytoplankton like Phaeocystis antarctica form the foundation of marine food webs and play a significant role in global carbon cycling, making their associated microbiomes essential components of planetary health. As climate change accelerates polar warming, studies like this help scientists predict how these delicate ecosystems might respond, informing conservation strategies and climate models. For the general public, this research contributes to our collective understanding of how even microscopic organisms in remote polar regions affect global ecological balance and climate regulation.