LONDON, Feb. 21 (Xinhua) -- A team of international scientists will set off for a giant Antarctic iceberg on Wednesday in an attempt to study marine life revealed by the breaking of Larsen C ice shelf, the Guardian reported.

The scientists, led by the British Antarctic Survey, are eager to reach the newly discovered ecosystem in "a race against time" before the undersea environment is exposed to light and subjected to changes. They expect to reach the area within a week.

A 5,800-square-km iceberg, called A68, broke off the Larsen C ice shelf on the Antarctic peninsula in July 2017. It was believed to be one of the 10 largest icebergs ever recorded.

"From hidden ecosystems revealed by calving icebergs, to our reserch missions to the seafloor which have found an abundance of rare and vulnerable species. This place is bursting with life and a vast Antarctic Ocean sanctuary would help us protect it in all its forms." the group's head of oceans Will McCallum was quoted by the Guardian report as saying.

Climate change had already affected the seas around Antarctica and is warming some coastal waters, the report said.