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Antarctic pack ice algal distribution: floe-scale spatial variability and predictability from physical parameters

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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, B
Antarctic 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 Letters

Volume

44

Issue

14

Pagination

7382-7390

ISSN

0094-8276

Department/School

Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies

Publisher

Amer Geophysical Union

Place of publication

2000 Florida Ave Nw, Washington, USA, Dc, 20009

Rights statement

Copyright 2017 Commonwealth of Australia

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Biodiversity in Antarctic and Southern Ocean environments

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