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Antarctic pack ice algal distribution: floe-scale spatial variability and predictability from physical parameters
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-19, 09:37 authored by Klaus MeinersKlaus Meiners, Arndt, S, Sophie BestleySophie Bestley, Krumpen, T, Ricker, R, Milnes, M, Newbery, K, Freier, U, Jarman, S, King, R, Proud, R, So KawaguchiSo Kawaguchi, Meyer, BAntarctic pack ice serves as habitat for microalgae which contribute to Southern Ocean primary production and serve as important food source for pelagic herbivores. Ice algal biomass is highly patchy and remains severely undersampled by classical methods such as spatially restricted ice coring surveys. Here we provide an unprecedented view of ice algal biomass distribution, mapped (as chlorophyll a) in a 100 m by 100 m area of a Weddell Sea pack ice floe, using under-ice irradiance measurements taken with an instrumented remotely operated vehicle. We identified significant correlations (p < 0.001) between algal biomass and concomitant in situ surface measurements of snow depth, ice thickness, and estimated sea ice freeboard levels using a statistical model. The model's explanatory power (r2 = 0.30) indicates that these parameters alone may provide a first basis for spatial prediction of ice algal biomass, but parameterization of additional determinants is needed to inform more robust upscaling efforts.
History
Publication title
Geophysical Research LettersVolume
44Issue
14Pagination
7382-7390ISSN
0094-8276Department/School
Institute for Marine and Antarctic StudiesPublisher
Amer Geophysical UnionPlace of publication
2000 Florida Ave Nw, Washington, USA, Dc, 20009Rights statement
Copyright 2017 Commonwealth of AustraliaRepository Status
- Restricted