Polar Front Region Research Articles

Nutrient dynamics and biogeochemical processes at the Polar front of Indian sector of the Southern Ocean: Influence of Circumpolar deep water intrusion

The Circumpolar Deep water (CDW) is one of the largest water masses in the Southern Ocean. The cross-frontal flow of the CDW is a vital mode of redistribution and transport of heat, salts, nutrients, etc. in the ocean. The present study aims to understand the role of the CDW intrusion on nutrient dynamics and biogeochemical processes at the Polar frontal region. The study noted a patch of high nutrients layer at ∼300-400 m in the Polar Front-II, underlying the dicothermal layer or the temperature minimum layer. This high nutrient patch was attributed to the intrusion of the CDW at the Polar front, influencing the physico-chemical processes in the water column. It was evident that, the density gradient, stratification and overall, the combined effect of physico-chemical and biological factors as a consequence of intrusion of the CDW contributed to the formation of the high nitrate patch at the Polar Front-II. Even though, the CDW intrusion did not significantly impact the photic layer dynamics during this study, the possible barrier effect during austral summer contribute to the formation of the high nitrate layer. This feature may be responsible for trapping nutrients in the subsurface due to stratification, made available to the photic region via upwelling processes, consequently triggering changes in the biological community structure and biogeochemical processes.

Effect of environmental drivers on the spatiotemporal distribution of mackerel at age in the Nordic Seas during 2010−20

Abstract A joint spatio–temporal distribution model of mackerel (ages 3–10) was developed to investigate the age-based responses of mackerel to three environmental drivers: sea surface temperature (SST), mixed layer depth, and chlorophyll-a concentration during the summer months 2010–20 in the Nordic Seas. The study showed that SST was the most important variable amongst the ones tested and had the strongest impact on the distribution of the younger age classes (3–5), which had a narrower range of favourable SST and a stronger aversion to cold temperatures than older individuals. Consequently, the impact of SST differed regionally; in the polar front regions, SST explained up to 61% of the variability in the observed density of young individuals, where Arctic water masses likely acted as a barrier to these young individuals. That said, part of it could be confounded with the limited migration capability of young mackerels, which could not reach the furthest frontal regions. In warmer southern waters, the same environmental variables had less explanatory power for mackerel of all ages. Individuals in the south were likely not constrained by temperature and perhaps more influenced by other variables, such as food availability or ocean current (throughout their migration path), for which appropriate data are lacking. Moreover, the model showed that older mackerel were distributed more to the north and west, and their migration pattern changed when the 2013 year-class no longer migrated to the west compared to previous year-classes. Additionally, all-year classes started migrating more eastward from summer 2018.

Circulation and Hydrography in the Northwestern Barents Sea: Insights From Recent Observations and Historical Data (1950–2022)

AbstractThe Barents Sea is one of the main pathways for warm and saline Atlantic Water (AW) entering the Arctic Ocean. It is an important region where water mass transformation and dense‐water production contribute to the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation. Here, we present data from three cruises and nine glider missions conducted between 2019 and 2022 in the northwestern Barents Sea, and compare them with historical data collected between 1950 and 2009. We present circulation pathways, hydrography and volume transports of Atlantic‐ and Arctic‐origin waters. Our observations show that 0.9 ± 0.1 Sv (1 Sv = 106 m3 s−1) of Atlantic‐origin water reaches the Polar Front (PF) region before splitting into several branches and eventually subducting beneath Polar Water (PW). The amount of Atlantic‐origin water stored in the Olga Basin north of the PF is controlled by the density difference between AW and PW, and reached a maximum in the 90s when PW was particularly fresh. In the recent period from 2019 to 2022, the inflow of AW into the Barents Sea freshened by up to 0.1 g kg−1 compared to previous decades. This led to a reduction in the production of dense water, an increased temperature gradient across the PF, and a reduced poleward transport of warm water.

Drivers of organic carbon distribution and accumulation in the northern Barents Sea

Sedimentary properties and accumulation rates on the continental shelf and in the deep sea reflect temporal oceanographic, biological and chemical processes occurring in the water column and the sediment surface. We used the radionuclides 210Pb, 226Ra, and 137Cs activities to estimate sedimentation rates during the last century at nine stations in the northern Barents Sea region. Elemental (C, N) and stable isotopic composition (δ13C, δ15N) were also analysed from the nine stations sampled in August 2018, and, for five other stations sampled in August and December 2019, and in March and May 2021. Sediment accumulation rates varied between 130 and 1 410 g m−2 y−1. The < 63 μm normalized total organic carbon (TOC63) and the total nitrogen from the sediment surface varied between 0.90–2.56 % and 0.13–0.33 %, respectively. Ice-free shelf stations had higher TOC63 and possibly fresher organic matter (high δ13C, low δ15N) than ice-covered more northern stations. The opposite trend was observed for total inorganic carbon. We found that these trends in biogeochemical parameters were spatially structured by the winter sea ice concentration and biological production differences, and exhibited a south-north separation of the Polar Front region. The low and stable organic carbon accumulation rate (1.7–13.4 g Corg m-2 y−1; ARtoc) is a function of slow sedimentation rates, and high degradation and residence time in the water column and at the sediment–water interface. Overall, the ARtoc has been stable for the past 100 years, with a slight increase from the early 1970s to the present at the shelf and slope stations. Our results highlight that spatial scales of variability of the studied sedimentary parameters are linked to spatial patterns of important environmental variables (e.g., chlorophyll-a, sea ice concentration) in the region. In contrast, no seasonal differences were observed in the sediment parameters of revisited stations, and the dated sediment geochemical profiles did not exhibit substantial longer-term variation. This means that climate-induced changes in variables that modify the sedimentary geochemistry of the environment may affect benthic community activity and structure before leaving a record in ARtoc.

Gene expression patterns of Salpa thompsoni reveal remarkable differences in metabolism and reproduction near the Antarctic Polar Front.

Salpa thompsoni is an important grazer in the Southern Ocean and most abundant in the Antarctic Polar Front (APF) region. During recent decades, their distribution expanded southwards. However, it is unclear whether salps can maintain their populations in the high Antarctic regions throughout the year owing to a poor understanding of their physiological responses to changing environmental conditions. We examined gene expression signatures of salps collected in two geographically close regions south of the APF that differed in water mass composition and productivity. The observed differences in the expression of genes related to reproductive, cellular and metabolic processes reflect variations in water temperature and food supply between the two regions studied here. Our study contributes to a better understanding of the physiological responses of S. thompsoni to changing environmental conditions, and how the species may adapt to a changing environment through potential geographical population shifts under future climate change scenarios.

Polar Front Process Cruise 2022

The cruise KB2022625 (28. September 2022, Tromsø to 13. October 2022, Tromsø) aboard the Research Vessel Kristine Bonnevie is a Polar Front process studies cruise of the Nansen LEGACY project. The study region covered the steep topographic slope southeast of Bjørnøya and the Polar Front region between Hopen and Storebanken, all-in-all spreading 73.5°- 78°N and 19.5°-34.5°E. The objectives are to study frontal mixing processes using microstructure profilers, to deploy and recover a short-term mooring at the Polar Front and to deploy and recover an underwater glider equipped with turbulence sensors. The overarching goal is to collect data allowing for the analysis of physical processes at the Polar Front on sub-tidal to synoptic timescales. Combined with data from previous cruises, the timescales of investigation may be expanded to seasonal and inter-annual periods. During the cruise, we collected measurements of ocean stratification, currents, and microstructure from the vessel as well as from transects using an ocean glider. From the vessel we obtained 267 microstructure profiles down to 0-20 m above seabed, 62 CTD/LADCP profiles down to 5 m above seabed (all with salinity calibration samples taken at the deepest point), and 14 days of underway current profiles. From the glider we obtained 207 profiles (7 days) including using microstructure sensors in the Polar Front region between Hopen and Storebanken.

Detection of foray behaviour in zooplankton of the Antarctic Polar Front region

In addition to diel vertical migration, individual zooplankton may also make a number of shorter-term migrations, or forays, into the surface layers from deeper depths. Direct observation of these forays is limited, particularly in the open ocean, which hinders our understanding of carbon flux via the biological carbon pump (BCP). We designed a novel net device capable of trapping zooplankton during such forays. The motion-compensated upward and downward looking (MUDL) net device consisted of 2 conical nets, one looking upwards and the other looking downwards, designed for stationary deployment at a set depth, into which migrating individuals must swim to be captured. The device was deployed at different time points within the diel cycle and at contrasting environments across the Antarctic Polar Front region in the southwestern Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean. A range of zooplankton species were captured, with differences in abundance and species composition between times of day, net directions and sites. Of particular note was the large contribution of the copepod Oithona spp. to catches of both the upward and downward looking nets. Our study demonstrates the utility of our MUDL net for future ecosystem studies in the open ocean, particularly in relation to quantifying vertical carbon flux via the BCP.

Aerosol-boundary layer dynamics and its effect on aerosol radiative forcing and atmospheric heating rate in the Indian Ocean sector of Southern Ocean

The study examines the thermodynamic structure of the marine atmospheric boundary layer (MABL) and its effect on the aerosol dynamics in the Indian Ocean sector of Southern Ocean (ISSO) between 30°S-67°S and 57°E-77°E. It includes observations of aerosols and meteorology collected during the Xth Southern Ocean Expedition conducted in December 2017. The results revealed the effect of frontal-region-specific air-sea coupling on the thermodynamic structure of MABL and its role in regulating aerosols in ISSO. The MABL over the subtropical front was unstable and formed a well-evolved mixed layer (≈2400 m) capped by low-level inversions (≈660 m). Convective activities in the Sub-Antarctic Frontal region were associated with the Agulhas Retroflection Current, which supported the formation of a well-developed mixed layer (≈1860 m). The mean estimates of aerosol optical depth (AOD) and black carbon (BC) mass concentrations were 0.095 ± 0.006 and 50 ± 14 ng m−3, respectively, and the resultant clear sky direct shortwave radiative forcing (DARF) and atmospheric heating rate (HR) were 1.32 ± 0.11 W m−2 and 0.022 ± 0.002 K day−1, respectively. In the polar front (PF) region, frequent mid-latitude cyclones led to highly stabilized MABL, supported low-level multi-layered clouds (>3-layers) and multiple high-level inversions (strength > 0.5 K m−1 > 3000 m). The clouds were mixed-phased with temperatures less than −12 °C at 3000 m altitude. Interestingly, there was higher loading of dust and BC aerosols (276 ± 24 ng m−3), maximum AOD (0.109 ± 0.009), clear sky DARF (1.73 ± 0.02 W m−2), and HR (0.029 ± 0.005 K day−1). This showed an accumulation of long-range advected anthropogenic aerosols within baroclinic-boundaries formed over the PF region. Specifically, in the region south of PF, weak convection caused weakly-unstable MABL with a single low-level inversion followed by no clouds/single-layer clouds. Predominant clean maritime air holding a small fraction of dust and BC accounted for lower estimates of AOD (0.071 ± 0.004), BC concentrations (90 ± 55 ng m−3) and associated clear sky DARF and HR were 1.16 ± 0.06 W m−2 and 0.019 ± 0.001 K day−1, respectively.

Exogenous production of cold-active cellulase from polar Nocardiopsis sp. with increased cellulose hydrolysis efficiency.

The present work was designed to isolate and characterise the actinobacteria in the Polar Front region of the Southern Ocean waters and species of Nocardiopsis and Streptomyces were identified. Among those, the psychrophilic actinobacterium, Nocardiopsis dassonvillei PSY13 was found to have good cellulolytic activity and it was further studied for the production and characterisation of cold-active cellulase enzyme. The latter was found to have a specific activity of 6.36 U/mg and a molar mass of 48kDa with a 22.9-fold purification and 5% recovery at an optimum pH of 7.5 and a temperature of 10°C. Given the importance of psychrophilic actinobacteria, N. dassonvillei PSY13 can be further exploited for its benefits, meaning that the Southern Ocean harbours biotechnologically important microorganisms that can be further explored for versatile biotechnological and industrial applications.

Observations of surface water phytoplankton community in the Indian Ocean: A transect from tropics to polar latitudes

Phytoplankton, the primary producers in all aquatic systems, plays an important role in key biogeochemical processes that are linked to higher trophic levels and climate variability. The present study deals with the phytoplankton community structure in the Indian Ocean, particularly in the higher latitudes with respect to environmental variables to understand the region specific dominant community and its governing environmental settings. The study areas were selected along the latitudinal transect between 3oN and 53oS (northern Indian Ocean to Indian Ocean sector of Southern Ocean). The surface water phytoplankton community based on microscopy coupled with diagnostic pigment indices showed marked variation in community structure from tropical to polar latitudes of the Indian Ocean. The Prokaryotic diagnostic pigment (ProkDP) dominated in the Equatorial and South Equatorial regions, the Flagellate diagnostic pigment (FlagDP) in the North Equatorial region (NER), Southern Tropical Indian Ocean and Sub-tropical Front (STF) region whereas, the Diatom diagnostic pigment (DiatDP) dominated only at the Polar Front (PF) region. The influence of a suite of environmental variables - temperature, nutrients, salinity and mixed layer depth (MLD), on the dominant phytoplankton groups at the STF and PF was observed. This understanding of community dominance from this poorly explored area with respect to influencing factors is very vital baseline information to design the perturbation experiments in future work to understand the phytoplankton process studies of each region.

Distribution and abundance of pteropods in the western Barents Sea

Abstract The abundance and horizontal distribution of three pteropod species, Limacina helicina, Limacina retroversa and Clione limacina were examined in the western entrance of the Barents Sea (Polar Front region) in August 2011. Sixteen samples were collected from 8 sampling sites located along a latitudinal transect. The southern part of the study area (south of 73°N) was dominated by L. retroversa, while L. helicina was mostly observed north of 73°N. Surface water temperature differences between the coldest and the warmest station were around 8°C. The highest density of L. retroversa was found in the south, near the Norwegian coast (nearly 52 000 ind. 1000 m−3), while the highest density of L. helicina was observed in the region of the Arctic water masses (nearly 13 000 ind. 1000 m−3). The sampled population of pteropods comprised mainly juvenile stages. Redundancy analysis (RDA) of the relationships between environmental factors (mean and surface salinity, mean temperature, sampling depth, chlorophyll concentration) and the population structure showed that mean temperature was the most important factor in the study area, explaining 70.5% of the pteropod community variation.

Plankton patchiness in the Polar Front region of the West Spitsbergen Shelf

MEPS Marine Ecology Progress Series Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsTheme Sections MEPS 560:1-18 (2016) - DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps11925 FEATURE ARTICLEPlankton patchiness in the Polar Front region of the West Spitsbergen Shelf Emilia Trudnowska*, Marta Gluchowska, Agnieszka Beszczynska-Möller, Katarzyna Blachowiak-Samolyk, Slawomir Kwasniewski Institute of Oceanology Polish Academy of Sciences, 81-712 Sopot, Poland *Corresponding author: emilia@iopan.gda.pl ABSTRACT: Plankton patchiness, a widely known but poorly studied phenomenon, was investigated concurrently with measurements of environmental conditions in the Polar Front region west of Spitsbergen in summer (June-July) 2012. Continuous high-resolution observations were made using a laser optical plankton counter, a fluorometer and CTD along several sections in the surface 50 m of the sea with additional data from zooplankton net sampling and full-depth range hydrographical measurements at stations. The observed patches differed in terms of size, number and distribution patterns. They occupied only a minor portion of the studied ocean area (2-17%), but contained plankton concentrations that were 3-17 times higher than the concentrations in the background waters. The generation and existence of patches was associated with particular conditions created by increased primary production, optimal hydrography, discontinuities in the density field and/or the presence of meanders or eddies. The distribution of small size fraction patches, consisting of the phytoplankton, inorganic particles and detritus, was closely related to specific patterns in hydrography. The medium-size zooplankton and marine snow were concentrated mainly in conjunction with discontinuities in density field. The distribution of the large copepods was independent of any oceanographic feature detected in this study, which points towards biological cues as factors regulating zooplankton aggregation processes. Diverse mechanisms of patch formation as well as their ecological significance are discussed in the context of planktonic responses to the structured environment in the region of the Polar Front. KEY WORDS: Zooplankton · Patchiness · Zooplankton distribution · Laser optical plankton counter · Eddy · Polar Front · West Spitsbergen Current Full text in pdf format Information about this Feature Article NextCite this article as: Trudnowska E, Gluchowska M, Beszczynska-Möller A, Blachowiak-Samolyk K, Kwasniewski S (2016) Plankton patchiness in the Polar Front region of the West Spitsbergen Shelf. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 560:1-18. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps11925 Export citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in MEPS Vol. 560. Online publication date: November 24, 2016 Print ISSN: 0171-8630; Online ISSN: 1616-1599 Copyright © 2016 Inter-Research.

Importance of deep mixing and silicic acid in regulating phytoplankton biomass and community in the iron-limited Antarctic Polar Front region in summer

Phytoplankton community structure and their physiological response in the vicinity of the Antarctic Polar Front (APF; 44°S to 53°S, centred at 10°E) were investigated as part of the ANT-XXVIII/3 Eddy-Pump cruise conducted in austral summer 2012. Our results show that under iron-limited (<0.3μmolm−3) conditions, high total chlorophyll-a (TChl-a) concentrations (>0.6mgm−3) can be observed at stations with deep mixed layer (>60m) across the APF. In contrast, light was excessive at stations with shallower mixed layer and phytoplankton were producing higher amounts of photoprotective pigments, diadinoxanthin (DD) and diatoxanthin (DT), at the expense of TChl-a, resulting in higher ratios of (DD+DT)/TChl-a. North of the APF, significantly lower silicic acid (Si(OH)4) concentrations (<2mmolm−3) lead to the domination of nanophytoplankton consisting mostly of haptophytes, which produced higher ratios of (DD+DT)/TChl-a under relatively low irradiance conditions. The Si(OH)4 replete (>5mmolm−3) region south of the APF, on the contrary, was dominated by microphytoplankton (diatoms and dinoflagellates) with lower ratios of (DD+DT)/TChl-a, despite having been exposed to higher levels of irradiance. The significant correlation between nanophytoplankton and (DD+DT)/TChl-a indicates that differences in taxon-specific response to light are also influencing TChl-a concentration in the APF during summer. Our results reveal that provided mixing is deep and Si(OH)4 is replete, TChl-a concentrations higher than 0.6mgm−3 are achievable in the iron-limited APF waters during summer.

Adaptations of phytoplankton in the Indian Ocean sector of the Southern Ocean during austral summer of 1998—2014

This study investigates the effects of light and temperature on the surface water diatoms and chlorophytes, phytoplankton in the Indian Ocean sector of the Southern Ocean (SO) during the austral summer of 1998‒2014. Significant longitudinal variations in hydrographic and biological parameters were observed at the Sub tropical front (STF), Sub Antarctic front (SAF) and Polar front (PF) along 56°E‒58°E. The concentrations of total surface chlorophyll a (Chl a), diatoms, and chlorophytes measured by the National Aeronautics Space Agency (NASA) estimated by the Sea-Viewing Wide Field-of-View Sensors (SeaWiFS), the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectro Radiometer (MODIS), and the NASA Ocean Biological Model (NOBM) were used in the study. Variations in the concentration of total Chl a was remarkable amongst the fronts during the study period. The contribution of diatoms to the total concentration of surface Chl a increased towards south from the STF to the PF while it decreased in the case of chlorophytes. The maximum photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) was observed at the STF and it progressively decreased to the PF through the SAF. At the PF region the contribution of diatoms to the total Chl a biomass was ≥80%. On the other hand, the chlorophytes showed a contrary distribution pattern with ≥70% of the total Chl a biomass recorded at the STF which gradually decreased towards the PF, mainly attributed to the temperate adaptation. This clearly reveals that the trend of diatoms increased at the STF and decreased at the SAF and the PF. Further, the trend of chlorophytes was increased at the STF, SAF and PF with a shift in the community in the frontal system of the Indian Ocean sector of the SO.

Deep chlorophyll maximum and primary productivity in Indian Ocean sector of the Southern Ocean: Case study in the Subtropical and Polar Front during austral summer 2011

To understand the implications of deep chlorophyll maximum (DCM) on primary productivity (PP), 3-hourly observations (over 72h) were carried out at the Polar Front (PF) and the Subtropical Front (STF) of the Indian Ocean sector of Southern Ocean during the austral summer (February) 2011. Pronounced vertical variations in hydrographic parameters (temperature, salinity, density, dissolved oxygen) were observed between the fronts, whereas temporal (diurnal) variations of these parameters within the fronts were minimal during the study period. At the PF, a well-defined temperature minimum layer (TML), which is the winter residue of Antarctic Surface Water (AASW), was observed between 50 and 320m. The DCM observed at the PF (~75m) was more prominent than that at the STF and coincided with the upper boundary of the TML. The elevated chlorophyll a (Chl a) concentration in DCM is believed to result from the proliferation of the low-light adapted phytoplankton (shade flora). Due to the presence of a strong DCM the average column-integrated Chl a was nearly two times higher at the PF than at the STF yielding ~1.4 times higher column integrated PP (IPP) at the PF (211mgCm−2d−1) compared to the STF (152mgCm−2d−1). Higher Chl a and productivity at the PF was attributed to the dominance of diatoms as indicated from diagnostic pigment analysis by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Owing to their higher sinking rate, the diatoms with sequestered CO2, would generate substantial export production/flux, thereby making the PF region as a sink for atmospheric CO2.

Validation of Thorpe-scale-derived vertical diffusivities against microstructure measurements in the Kerguelen region

Abstract. The Thorpe scale is an energy-containing vertical overturning scale of large eddies associated with shear-generated turbulence. This study investigates indirect estimates of vertical diffusivities from the Thorpe scale method in the polar front region east of the Kerguelen Islands based on fine-scale density profiles gathered during the 2011 KEOPS2 (KErguelen Ocean and Plateau compared Study 2) cruise. These diffusivities are validated in comparison with diffusivities estimated from the turbulence dissipation rate directly measured via a TurboMAP (Turbulence ocean Microstructure Acquisition Profiler) microstructure profiler. The results are sensitive to the choice of the diffusivity parameterization and the overturn ratio Ro, and the optimal results have been obtained from the parameterization by Shih et al. (2005) and the Ro = 0.25 criterion, rather than the parameterization by Osborn (1980) and the Ro = 0.2 criterion originally suggested by Gargett and Garner (2008). The Thorpe-scale-derived diffusivities in the KEOPS2 region show a high degree of spatial variability, ranging from a canonical value of O(10−5) m2 s−1 in the Winter Water layer and in the area immediately north of the polar front to a high value of O(10−4) m2 s−1 in the seasonal thermocline between the surface mixed layer and the Winter Water. The latter high diffusivities are found especially over the shallow plateau southeast of the Kerguelen Islands and along the polar front that is attached to the escarpment northeast of the islands. The interaction of strong frontal flow with prominent bottom topography likely causes the observed elevated mixing rates.

Control of sedimentation by active tectonics, glaciation and contourite-depositing currents in Endurance Basin, South Georgia

Endurance Basin is an elongate broadly WNW–ESE trending basin located on the northern margin of the Scotia Sea, adjacent to the southern margin of the South Georgia micro-continent. Bathymetric and TOPAS sub-bottom profile data acquired in 2010 by the British research ship RRS James Clark Ross map this basin and its sedimentology for the first time. Endurance Basin contains a number of sub-basins and a substantial glaciogenic fan. The northern margin of Endurance Basin is formed by a series of steep slopes and intervening troughs. These are interpreted as a left-stepping en echelon array of oblique, strike–slip faults whilst the sub-basins are separated by compressional dip–slip faults. It appears that South Georgia is moving NW with respect to the basin. We interpret five seismic facies from TOPAS data, which are associated with distinct sedimentologies. The most striking units in the basin fill are: substantial contourite drifts located in the NW of the basin and on its southern margin; and two distinct mass transport deposits that pond in the centre of the basin. Combined with the known regional oceanographic setting, the contourites provide evidence of broadly eastward flowing bottom currents, entering the basin from at least two locations. Although landslide scars are present on the steep northern basin margin, the imaged mass transport deposits are interpreted to have been sourced from the glaciogenic fan, located in the SE of the basin, and from a contourite unit located on the basin's southern margin. Sediments from these events are transported at least 40km. The contourite drift sequence is at least 100m thick in the west of the basin and may contain a palaeoenvironmental archive of Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) flow and the climate of South Georgia extending to the Pliocene. Such an archive would allow the reconstruction of ACC flow through the Pleistocene glaciations and provide a means of linking ocean circulation and climate records in the sub-Antarctic Polar Front region.

Southern Polar Front macroecological and biogeographical insights gained from benthic Ostracoda

The Southern Ocean is one of the least known marine ecosystems on Earth, but the importance of understanding its biological and geochemical characteristics are urgent, because of the fast changing climate. Primary productivity is a key factor in ecosystem functioning, since this is the only process (except for the rare chemosynthesis) transforming solar energy into organic material, which can later be processed by all other living beings. Herein we investigate how primary productivity in the euphotic zone influences the biodiversity on the sea bed at abyssal depths, using Ostracoda (Crustacea) as a model. We also discuss the biogeographical pattern of the ostracod fauna. Samples collected from the Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean close to the Southern Polar Front (i.e. ~51°S) during the SYSTCO II expedition are the basis for our analyses. For the statistical tests, we used samples collected with an epibenthic sledge, which has the advantages of sampling a far larger area than traditional gears (i.e. grabs and corers), and also collect Myodocopida and Halocyprida rarely recorded in ostracod studies. However, because of its large mesh size (i.e. 300 and 500μm) the epibenthic sledge fails to recover small sized ostracods. Most benthic and benthopelagic ostracod species inhabiting the Southern Polar Front region are either endemic to the Southern Ocean or occur close to it. We conclude that ostracod assemblages living below areas of high primary productivity seem to be different to those below low productivity zones, but that assemblages living west of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge are not significantly distinct from the ones living to the east of this putative barrier.

Description of the biogeochemical features of the subtropical southeastern Atlantic and the Southern Ocean south of South Africa during the austral summer of the International Polar Year

Abstract. Meridional and vertical distributions of several biogeochemical parameters were studied along a section in the southeastern Atlantic and the Southern Ocean south of South Africa during the austral summer 2008 of the International Polar Year to characterize the biogeochemical provinces and to assess the seasonal net diatom production. Based on analyses of macro-nutrients, ammonium (NH4), chlorophyll a, (Chl a), phaeopigments, biogenic silica (BSi), particulate inorganic carbon (PIC), and particulate organic carbon and nitrogen (POC and PON, respectively), four biogeochemical domains were distinguished along the section: the subtropical Atlantic, the confluence zone of the subtropical and subantarctic domains, the Polar Frontal Zone (PFZ) in the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC), and the north-eastern branch of the Weddell Gyre. The subtropical region displayed extremely low nutrient concentrations featuring oligotrophic conditions, and sub-surface maxima of Chl a and phaeopigments never exceeded 0.5 µg L−1 and 0.25 µg L−1, respectively. The anticyclonic and cyclonic eddies crossed in the Cape Basin were characterized by a deepening and a rise, respectively, of the nutrients isoclines. The confluence zone of the subtropical domain and the northern side of the ACC within the subantarctic domain displayed remnant nitrate and phosphate levels, whereas silicate concentrations kept to extremely low levels. In this area, Chl a level of 0.4–0.5 µg L−1 distributed homogenously within the mixed layer, and POC and PON accumulated to values up to 10 µM and 1.5 µM, respectively, indicative of biomass accumulation along the confluence zone during the late productive period. In the ACC domain, the Polar Frontal Zone was marked by a post-bloom of diatoms that extended beyond the Polar Front (PF) during this late summer condition, as primarily evidenced by the massive depletion of silicic acid in the surface waters. The accumulation of NH4 to values up to 1.25 µM at 100 m depth centred on the PF and the accumulation of BSi up to 0.5 µM in the surface waters of the central part of the PFZ also featured a late stage of the seasonal diatom bloom. The silica daily net production rate based on the seasonal depletion of silicic acid was estimated to be 11.9 ± 6.5 mmol m−2 d−1 in the domain of the vast diatom post-bloom, agreeing well with the previously recorded values in this province. The Weddell Gyre occasionally displayed relative surface depletion of silicic acid, suggesting a late stage of a relatively minor diatom bloom possibly driven by iceberg drifting releases of iron. In this domain the estimated range of silica daily net production rate (e.g. 21.1 ± 8.8 mmol m−2 d−1) is consistent with previous studies, but was not significantly higher than that in the Polar Front region.

Phytoplankton abundance and community structure in the Antarctic polar frontal region during austral summer of 2009

The Antarctic polar front region in the Southern Ocean is known to be most productive. We studied the phytoplankton community structure in the Indian sector at this frontal location during late austral summer (February, 2009) onboard R/V Akademic Boris Petrov. We used the phytoplankton and microheterotrophs abundance, as also the associated physico-chemical parameters to explain the low phytoplankton abundance in the study region. This study emphasizes the shift of phytoplankton, from large (>10 μm) to small ( 10 μm) phytoplankton abundance during the late austral summer. This study highlights the highly productive polar front nevertheless becomes a region of low phytoplankton abundance, due to community shifts towards pico-phytoplankton (<10 μm) during late austral summer.