Abstract
This work summarizes ice algal studies, presented as biomass and species temporal and spatial distribution, during 11 cruises conducted between 1986 and 2012. The majority of the biomass was found as loosely attached sub-ice algal layers, and sampling required diving. A maximum of 40 mg chlorophyll m−2 and 15.4 × 109 cells m−2 was measured in May. The species diversity was separated in zones based on ice thickness, with the highest biodiversity in the medium-thick ice of 30–80 cm. Nitzschia frigida was the most common species. There was a significant positive relationship between the dominance of this species and ice thickness, and it dominated completely in thick ice. Other common species, such as N. promare and Fossulaphycus arcticus reacted oppositely, by becoming less dominant in thick ice, but the positive correlation between total cell numbers and number of these three species indicated that they would most likely dominate in most populations. Melosira arctica was found several times below medium-thick annual ice. Algae occurred from top to bottom in the ice floes and in infiltration layers, but in very low numbers inside the ice. The bipolar dinoflagellates Polarella glacialis inhabited the ice, both as vegetative cells and cysts. The algal layers detached from the ice and sank in late spring when melting started. The cells in the sediments form an important food source for benthic animals throughout the year. Fjord populations survive the winter on the bottom and probably form next year’s ice algal inoculum. A few ‘over-summer’ populations found in sheltered locations might provide supplementary food for ice amphipods in late summer. The future faith of the ice flora is discussed in view of a warmer climate, with increased melting of the Arctic ice cover.
Highlights
Data on ice algal species from the Arctic, covering the last 140 years, have been found in a number of various sources
Maximum biomass was found in spring, with 39 mg chlorophyll m−2 and 15.4 × 109 cells m−2 (Figure 2) in May 1996 and May 2004, respectively
Some species lack cell numbers, these were only found in the cleaned samples or in lumps of ice floating in leads
Summary
Data on ice algal species from the Arctic, covering the last 140 years, have been found in a number of various sources. They were compiled to a first assessment of pan-Arctic biodiversity of ice algae [1]. A couple of studies exist from the Arctic Ocean [7,8] Several of these investigations include few samples, so that the biomass distribution in the eastern Arctic is still fairly unknown. The present set of data sum up our knowledge of the biomass, species distribution, and biodiversity of the Barents Sea sub-ice algal flora during 11 cruises from 1986 until 2004, covering the months April–September, and from the high north in the 2012 winter
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