A light perturbation experiment on sea ice at Cape Evans in 1996 found significant differences in biomass accumulation between ice algal assemblages exposed to additional UVB, UVA and PAR irradiances and those exposed to either control or elevated PAR and UVA without UVB. Sea ice with its snow cover removed (and thus exposed to additional UVB, UVA and PAR) had a 40% lower rate of biomass accumulation than sea ice with its snow cover removed but covered with UVB-absorbing mylar. Chlorophyll-specific production under PAR was up to 0.05 mg C (mg Chl a)-1 h-1 although it was approximately 0.02 mg C (mg Chl a)-1 h-1 at ambient under ice irradiances of 2-6 μmol photons m-2 s-1 PAR. UVB irradiation was found to have a greater impact on highly shade-adapted sea ice algal communities beneath thick ice with a thick snow cover than on thinner ice with less snow.
History
Publication title
Botanica Marina
Volume
42
Issue
4
Pagination
401-407
ISSN
0006-8055
Department/School
Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies
Publisher
Walter de Gruyter & Co
Place of publication
Berlin
Repository Status
Restricted
Socio-economic Objectives
Biodiversity in Antarctic and Southern Ocean environments