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Export of Algal Biomass from the Melting Arctic Sea Ice

Authors :
Antje, Boetius
Sebastian, Albrecht
Karel, Bakker
Christina, Bienhold
Janine, Felden
Mar, Fernández-Méndez
Stefan, Hendricks
Christian, Katlein
Catherine, Lalande
Thomas, Krumpen
Marcel, Nicolaus
Ilka, Peeken
Benjamin, Rabe
Antonina, Rogacheva
Elena, Rybakova
Raquel, Somavilla
Frank, Wenzhöfer
Xiaotong, Xiao
Source :
Science. 339:1430-1432
Publication Year :
2013
Publisher :
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), 2013.

Abstract

In the Arctic, under-ice primary production is limited to summer months and is restricted not only by ice thickness and snow cover but also by the stratification of the water column, which constrains nutrient supply for algal growth. Research Vessel Polarstern visited the ice-covered eastern-central basins between 82° to 89°N and 30° to 130°E in summer 2012, when Arctic sea ice declined to a record minimum. During this cruise, we observed a widespread deposition of ice algal biomass of on average 9 grams of carbon per square meter to the deep-sea floor of the central Arctic basins. Data from this cruise will contribute to assessing the effect of current climate change on Arctic productivity, biodiversity, and ecological function.

Details

ISSN :
10959203 and 00368075
Volume :
339
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Science
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....472a09ea3f364182ff060d3b510a3f2f
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1231346