Arctic Marine Phototrophic Systems: Functions of Sea Ice Stabilization

Abstract

A forgotten nineteenth-century report provides evidence that there are two floras, not one, on the bottom of arctic sea ice, distinguishable in time, species composition, and, perhaps, nutrient condition. A halocline flora is also noted from recent studies that is analogous in habitat to the ice floras. Thus at least three separate autotrophic systems augment phytoplankton production in arctic seas. These augmenting systems seem to be a function of stability provided by sea ice.Key words: sea ice, ice algae, phytoplankton, halocline flora, ecosystem stability