An iceberg once bigger than Delaware dumped nearly 1 trillion tons of water in the ocean - USA TODAY

What was once the biggest iceberg in the world was found to release over 167 billion tons of freshwater during  a three month period and nearly one trillion tons in its lifespan, which could have profound effects on wildlife, scientists say.

However when the iceberg broke off, it began to drift across the Southern Ocean.

 Scientists said the iceberg broke apart just before it could have hit the seabed.

A team of international scientists then examined the size of the iceberg since it first broke off over three years ago using three satellites to check area size and two to examine the thickness.

The team found the iceberg had released over 167 billion tons of water around the island in a three month period.