Life on Antarctic icebergs, artwork. Icebergs hold trapped material deposited in the ice on land, which they release as they melt. This released material supports a community (ecology) of animals and plants that feed on the nutrients released into the water. This is known as the 'halo effect', and the affected area can be more than 3 kilometres across. The larger icebergs can be many kilometres across, supporting large amounts of life. Above there is a seabird (upper right) and below (depth indicator at centre) there is a web of phytoplankton (lower left), krill (lower right) and fish (centre left). This effect may help remove carbon from the atmosphere.