Fears for ocean life after huge bergs collide

AN ENORMOUS iceberg that struck a glacier off Antarctica and dislodged another massive block of ice could lower the levels of oxygen in the world's oceans, leading to loss of life.

The two bergs were drifting together about 90 miles off the continent following the collision two weeks ago. Australian Antarctic Division glaciologist Neal Young yesterday said the first berg, 60 miles long, collided with the giant floating Metz Glacier, shaving off a new one. "They are now floating right next to each other," he said.

The new iceberg measures 48 miles by 24 miles and holds the equivalent of roughly a fifth of the world's annual total water usage. Experts are concerned about the effect of the massive displacement of ice on the water next to the glacier, which is important for ocean currents.

With part of the glacier gone, the area could fill with sea ice, which would disrupt the ability of the dense and cold water to sink. The sinking water is what spills into ocean basins and feeds the global ocean currents with oxygen, experts say.

As a result, parts of the world's oceans may lose oxygen and most of the life there would die.