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We suggest the application of a flux parameterization commonly used over terrestrial areas for calculation of CO2 fluxes over sea ice surfaces. The parameterization is based on resistance analogy. We present a concept for parameterization of the CO2 fluxes over sea ice suggesting to use properties of the atmosphere and sea ice surface that can be measured or calculated on a routine basis. Parameters, which can be used in the conceptual model, are analysed based on data sampled from a seasonal fast-ice area, and the different variables influencing the exchange of CO2 between the atmosphere and ice are discussed. We found the flux to be small during the late winter with fluxes in both directions. Not surprisingly we find that the resistance across the surface controls the fluxes and detailed knowledge of the brine volume and carbon chemistry within the brines as well as knowledge of snow cover and carbon chemistry in the ice are essential to estimate the partial pressure of pCO2 and CO2 flux. Further investigations of surface structure and snow cover and driving parameters such as heat flux, radiation, ice temperature and brine processes are required to adequately parameterize the surface resistance.

The present study compared O2 exchange measurements, fluorometry and 14c incubations for measuring productivity of sea-ice algae. It is demonstrated that brine leaking out of ice during freezing conditions is supersaturated with respect to O2, while the melting water released during thawing is undersaturated with O2. This results in a highly variable O2 concentration at the ice-water interface during expanding or shrinking of sea ice. Consequently, great care should be taken when inferring biological activity from O2 exchange rates, whether they are obtained via microprofiles, bulk incubations or direct measurement of O2 concentrations in water below sea ice. Accounting for the O2 dynamics related to changes in sea-ice structure, the photosynthetic activity of a mixed ice algal culture, as measured by net O2 exchange rates and 14C incubation, co-varied as a function of biomass and irradiance. The ratio between the net O2 efflux and the gross C fixation rate (the photosynthetic quotient) was similar for frozen and non-frozen ice algal communities and averaged 1.43 ± 0.48. Quantification of the relative electron transport rate (ETR) from photosystem II (PSII) and the minimum fluorescence yield (F0) by a pulse-amplitude-modulated (PAM) fluorometer offers a fast, simple and non-invasive approach for estimating activity and biomass of ice algal communities. The relative ETR measurements correlated with the other 2 measures for primary production. However, the correlation was non-linear, leading to a poor resolution of the fluorometer approach at higher photosynthetic activities. A similar observation was made for the correlation between measurements and the concentration of chlorophyll a.

Dansk titel: Forskere tager temperaturen på miljøet i Nordøstgrønland (Grønlandsposten)

Dansk titel: På vagt for hvalrossen (Grønlandsposten)

Dansk titel: Livet under havisen (Grønlandsposten)

Greenland's bed topography is a primary control on ice flow, grounding line migration, calving dynamics, and subglacial drainage. Moreover, fjord bathymetry regulates the penetration of warm Atlantic water (AW) that rapidly melts and undercuts Greenland's marine-terminating glaciers. Here we present a new compilation of Greenland bed topography that assimilates seafloor bathymetry and ice thickness data through a mass conservation approach. A new 150 m horizontal resolution bed topography/bathymetric map of Greenland is constructed with seamless transitions at the ice/ocean interface, yielding major improvements over previous data sets, particularly in the marine-terminating sectors of northwest and southeast Greenland. Our map reveals that the total sea level potential of the Greenland ice sheet is 7.42 ± 0.05 m, which is 7 cm greater than previous estimates. Furthermore, it explains recent calving front response of numerous outlet glaciers and reveals new pathways by which AW can access glaciers with marine-based basins, thereby highlighting sectors of Greenland that are most vulnerable to future oceanic forcing.