Abstract
Rapidly changing conditions in high-latitude coastal systems can significantly impact biogeochemical cycles because these systems are strongly influenced by freshwater discharged from melting glaciers and streams on land. Generally, Antarctic coastal areas are considered high-productivity areas in which phytoplankton growth prevails under various environmental conditions (e.g., oceanographic and meteorological conditions). This study provides carbon uptake rates of phytoplankton in Marian Cove during summer (January-February 2019). Daily depth-integrated carbon uptake varied greatly and averaged 0.8 g C m–2 day–1, with a maximum of 4.52 mg g C m–2 day–1 recorded on 14 January. Similarly, the observed biomass standing stocks were very high (up to 19.5 mg m–3 chlorophyll a) and were dominated by microphytoplankton (20–200 μm), representing 84% of total chlorophyll a (chl-a). The depth-integrated chl-a and carbon uptake decreased from outer to inner areas (close to the glacial front) in the cove. As the austral summer progressed, the freshening of the surface waters coincided with high water stability and suspended material and with low productivity when nanophytoplankton were present (2–20 μm; >60%). These findings suggest that both photosynthetically active radiation penetrating the water column and enhanced turbidity control light availability for phytoplankton, as well as their community compositions.
Highlights
High-latitude polar regions are more vulnerable to climate change than other regions
The Western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP) is the region experiencing the greatest warming in the world (Vaughan et al, 2003; Meredith and King, 2005; Turner et al, 2005), and the temperature has increased at an average rate of 0.5 degrees per decade in some locations in the WAP (Vaughan et al, 2003; Oliva et al, 2017)
The aims of this study were (1) to examine the temporal and spatial variations in the carbon uptake rates of phytoplankton as phytoplankton succession occurred during summer (January–February 2019) in Marian Cove and (2) to investigate the mechanisms controlling the carbon dynamics that are related to environmental conditions
Summary
High-latitude polar regions are more vulnerable to climate change than other regions. The Western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP) is the region experiencing the greatest warming in the world (Vaughan et al, 2003; Meredith and King, 2005; Turner et al, 2005), and the temperature has increased at an average rate of 0.5 degrees per decade in some locations in the WAP (Vaughan et al, 2003; Oliva et al, 2017) These changes include shifting patterns in wind speed and direction, reductions in sea ice and in the ice shelf, and glacial retreat Distinct changes in the productivity and biomass of phytoplankton reflect shifts in environmental conditions
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