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Role of sea ice in global biogeochemical cycles: emerging views and challenges
Citation
Vancoppenolle, M and Meiners, K and Michel, C and Bopp, L and Brabant, F and Carnat, G and Delille, B and Lannuzel, D and Madec, G and Moreau, S and Tison, J-L and Van Der Merwe, P, Role of sea ice in global biogeochemical cycles: emerging views and challenges, Quaternary Science Reviews: International Multidisciplinary Review and Research Journal, 79, (Nov) pp. 207-230. ISSN 0277-3791 (2013) [Refereed Article]
Copyright Statement
Copyright 2013 Elsevier
DOI: doi:10.1016/j.quascirev.2013.04.011
Abstract
Observations from the last decade suggest an important role of sea ice in the global biogeochemical
cycles, promoted by (i) active biological and chemical processes within the sea ice; (ii) fluid and gas
exchanges at the sea ice interface through an often permeable sea ice cover; and (iii) tight physical,
biological and chemical interactions between the sea ice, the ocean and the atmosphere. Photosynthetic
micro-organisms in sea ice thrive in liquid brine inclusions encased in a pure ice matrix, where they find
suitable light and nutrient levels. They extend the production season, provide a winter and early spring
food source, and contribute to organic carbon export to depth. Under-ice and ice edge phytoplankton
blooms occur when ice retreats, favoured by increasing light, stratification, and by the release of material
into the water column. In particular, the release of iron e highly concentrated in sea ice e could have
large effects in the iron-limited Southern Ocean. The export of inorganic carbon transport by brine
sinking below the mixed layer, calcium carbonate precipitation in sea ice, as well as active iceatmosphere
carbon dioxide (CO2) fluxes, could play a central role in the marine carbon cycle. Sea ice
processes could also significantly contribute to the sulphur cycle through the large production by ice
algae of dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP), the precursor of sulphate aerosols, which as cloud
condensation nuclei have a potential cooling effect on the planet. Finally, the sea ice zone supports
significant oceaneatmosphere methane (CH4) fluxes, while saline ice surfaces activate springtime atmospheric bromine chemistry, setting ground for tropospheric ozone depletion events observed near
both poles. All these mechanisms are generally known, but neither precisely understood nor quantified
at large scales. As polar regions are rapidly changing, understanding the large-scale polar marine
biogeochemical processes and their future evolution is of high priority. Earth system models should in
this context prove essential, but they currently represent sea ice as biologically and chemically inert.
Palaeoclimatic proxies are also relevant, in particular the sea ice proxies, inferring past sea ice conditions
from glacial and marine sediment core records and providing analogues for future changes. Being highly
constrained by marine biogeochemistry, sea ice proxies would not only contribute to but also benefit
from a better understanding of polar marine biogeochemical cycles.
Item Details
Item Type: | Refereed Article |
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Keywords: | sea ice, biogeochemistry, climate |
Research Division: | Earth Sciences |
Research Group: | Oceanography |
Research Field: | Chemical oceanography |
Objective Division: | Environmental Management |
Objective Group: | Marine systems and management |
Objective Field: | Measurement and assessment of marine water quality and condition |
UTAS Author: | Meiners, K (Dr Klaus Meiners) |
UTAS Author: | Lannuzel, D (Associate Professor Delphine Lannuzel) |
UTAS Author: | Moreau, S (Dr Sebastien Moreau) |
UTAS Author: | Van Der Merwe, P (Dr Pier van der Merwe) |
ID Code: | 89848 |
Year Published: | 2013 |
Web of Science® Times Cited: | 131 |
Deposited By: | CRC-Antarctic Climate & Ecosystems |
Deposited On: | 2014-03-17 |
Last Modified: | 2017-10-31 |
Downloads: | 1 View Download Statistics |
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