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Swoboda S, Krumpen T, Nöthig EM, Metfies K, Ramondenc S, Wollenburg J, Fahl K, Peeken I, Iversen M. Release of ballast material during sea-ice melt enhances carbon export in the Arctic Ocean. PNAS NEXUS 2024; 3:pgae081. [PMID: 38560528 PMCID: PMC10978062 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgae081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Globally, the most intense uptake of anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) occurs in the Atlantic north of 50°N, and it has been predicted that atmospheric CO2 sequestration in the Arctic Ocean will increase as a result of ice-melt and increased primary production. However, little is known about the impact of pan-Arctic sea-ice decline on carbon export processes. We investigated the potential ballasting effect of sea-ice derived material on settling aggregates and carbon export in the Fram Strait by combining 13 years of vertical flux measurements with benthic eDNA analysis, laboratory experiments, and tracked sea-ice distributions. We show that melting sea-ice in the Fram Strait releases cryogenic gypsum and terrigenous material, which ballasts sinking organic aggregates. As a result, settling velocities of aggregates increased ≤10-fold, resulting in ≤30% higher carbon export in the vicinity of the melting ice-edge. Cryogenic gypsum is formed in first-year sea-ice, which is predicted to increase as the Arctic is warming. Simultaneously, less sea-ice forms over the Arctic shelves, which is where terrigenous material is incorporated into sea-ice. Supporting this, we found that terrigenous fluxes from melting sea-ice in the Fram Strait decreased by >80% during our time-series. Our study suggests that terrigenous flux will eventually cease when enhanced sea-ice melt disrupts trans-Arctic sea-ice transport and thus, limit terrigenous-ballasted carbon flux. However, the predicted increase in Arctic primary production and gypsum formation may enhance gypsum-ballasted carbon flux and compensate for lowered terrigenous fluxes. It is thus unclear if sea-ice loss will reduce carbon export in the Arctic Ocean.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steffen Swoboda
- MARUM—Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany
| | - Thomas Krumpen
- Alfred Wegener Institute, Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, 27570 Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Eva-Maria Nöthig
- Alfred Wegener Institute, Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, 27570 Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Katja Metfies
- Alfred Wegener Institute, Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, 27570 Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Simon Ramondenc
- MARUM—Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany
- Alfred Wegener Institute, Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, 27570 Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Jutta Wollenburg
- Alfred Wegener Institute, Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, 27570 Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Kirsten Fahl
- Alfred Wegener Institute, Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, 27570 Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Ilka Peeken
- Alfred Wegener Institute, Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, 27570 Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Morten Iversen
- MARUM—Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany
- Alfred Wegener Institute, Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, 27570 Bremerhaven, Germany
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2
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Smith WO, Trimborn S. Phaeocystis: A Global Enigma. ANNUAL REVIEW OF MARINE SCIENCE 2024; 16:417-441. [PMID: 37647611 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-marine-022223-025031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
The genus Phaeocystis is globally distributed, with blooms commonly occurring on continental shelves. This unusual phytoplankter has two major morphologies: solitary cells and cells embedded in a gelatinous matrix. Only colonies form blooms. Their large size (commonly 2 mm but up to 3 cm) and mucilaginous envelope allow the colonies to escape predation, but data are inconsistent as to whether colonies are grazed. Cultured Phaeocystis can also inhibit the growth of co-occurring phytoplankton or the feeding of potential grazers. Colonies and solitary cells use nitrate as a nitrogen source, although solitary cells can also grow on ammonium. Phaeocystis colonies might be a major contributor to carbon flux to depth, but in most cases, colonies are rapidly remineralized in the upper 300 m. The occurrence of large Phaeocystis blooms is often associated with environments with low and highly variable light and high nitrate levels, with Phaeocystis antarctica blooms being linked additionally to high iron availability. Emerging results indicate that different clones of Phaeocystis have substantial genetic plasticity, which may explain its appearance in a variety of environments. Given the evidence of Phaeocystis appearing in new systems, this trend will likely continue in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walker O Smith
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, William & Mary, Gloucester Point, Virginia, USA;
- School of Oceanography, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Scarlett Trimborn
- Division of Biosciences, Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Bremerhaven, Germany;
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3
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Bergmann M, Allen S, Krumpen T, Allen D. High Levels of Microplastics in the Arctic Sea Ice Alga Melosira arctica, a Vector to Ice-Associated and Benthic Food Webs. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:6799-6807. [PMID: 37083047 PMCID: PMC10157888 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c08010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Plastic pollution has become ubiquitous with very high quantities detected even in ecosystems as remote as Arctic sea ice and deep-sea sediments. Ice algae growing underneath sea ice are released upon melting and can form fast-sinking aggregates. In this pilot study, we sampled and analyzed the ice algaeMelosira arcticaand ambient sea water from three locations in the Fram Strait to assess their microplastic content and potential as a temporary sink and pathway to the deep seafloor. Analysis by μ-Raman and fluorescence microscopy detected microplastics (≥2.2 μm) in all samples at concentrations ranging from 1.3 to 5.7 × 104 microplastics (MP) m-3 in ice algae and from 1.4 to 4.5 × 103 MP m-3 in sea water, indicating magnitude higher concentrations in algae. On average, 94% of the total microplastic particles were identified as 10 μm or smaller in size and comprised 16 polymer types without a clear dominance. The high concentrations of microplastics found in our pilot study suggest thatM. arctica could trap microplastics from melting ice and ambient sea water. The algae appear to be a temporary sink and could act as a key vector to food webs near the sea surface and on the deep seafloor, to which its fast-sinking aggregates could facilitate an important mechanism of transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Bergmann
- HGF-MPG Group for Deep Sea Ecology and Technology, Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, 27570 Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Steve Allen
- Ocean Frontiers Institute, Dalhousie University, B3H 4R2 Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Thomas Krumpen
- Sea Ice Physics, Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, 27570 Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Deonie Allen
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Science, University of Birmingham, B15 2TT Birmingham, U. K
- School of Physical and Chemical Sciences, University of Canterbury, 8041 Christchurch, New Zealand
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4
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Koch CW, Brown TA, Amiraux R, Ruiz-Gonzalez C, MacCorquodale M, Yunda-Guarin GA, Kohlbach D, Loseto LL, Rosenberg B, Hussey NE, Ferguson SH, Yurkowski DJ. Year-round utilization of sea ice-associated carbon in Arctic ecosystems. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1964. [PMID: 37029106 PMCID: PMC10081986 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37612-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Sea ice primary production is considered a valuable energy source for Arctic marine food webs, yet the extent remains unclear through existing methods. Here we quantify ice algal carbon signatures using unique lipid biomarkers in over 2300 samples from 155 species including invertebrates, fish, seabirds, and marine mammals collected across the Arctic shelves. Ice algal carbon signatures were present within 96% of the organisms investigated, collected year-round from January to December, suggesting continuous utilization of this resource despite its lower proportion to pelagic production. These results emphasize the importance of benthic retention of ice algal carbon that is available to consumers year-round. Finally, we suggest that shifts in the phenology, distribution and biomass of sea ice primary production anticipated with declining seasonal sea ice will disrupt sympagic-pelagic-benthic coupling and consequently the structure and the functioning of the food web which is critical for Indigenous Peoples, commercial fisheries, and global biodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chelsea W Koch
- Natural History Museum, London, SW7 5BD, England.
- University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Solomons, MD, US.
| | - Thomas A Brown
- Scottish Association for Marine Science, Oban, PA37 1QA, Scotland
| | - Rémi Amiraux
- Centre for Earth Observation Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | | | | | | | - Doreen Kohlbach
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram Centre, Tromsø, 9296, Norway
| | - Lisa L Loseto
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Freshwater Institute, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Bruno Rosenberg
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Freshwater Institute, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Nigel E Hussey
- Integrative Biology, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, N9B 3P4, Canada
| | - Steve H Ferguson
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Freshwater Institute, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - David J Yurkowski
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Freshwater Institute, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
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5
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Thompson SP, Kennedy H, Butler BM, Day SJ, Safi E, Evans A. Laboratory exploration of mineral precipitates from Europa's subsurface ocean. J Appl Crystallogr 2021; 54:1455-1479. [PMID: 34667451 PMCID: PMC8493616 DOI: 10.1107/s1600576721008554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The precipitation of hydrated phases from a chondrite-like Na-Mg-Ca-SO4-Cl solution is studied using in situ synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction, under rapid- (360 K h-1, T = 250-80 K, t = 3 h) and ultra-slow-freezing (0.3 K day-1, T = 273-245 K, t = 242 days) conditions. The precipitation sequence under slow cooling initially follows the predictions of equilibrium thermodynamics models. However, after ∼50 days at 245 K, the formation of the highly hydrated sulfate phase Na2Mg(SO4)2·16H2O, a relatively recent discovery in the Na2Mg(SO4)2-H2O system, was observed. Rapid freezing, on the other hand, produced an assemblage of multiple phases which formed within a very short timescale (≤4 min, ΔT = 2 K) and, although remaining present throughout, varied in their relative proportions with decreasing temperature. Mirabilite and meridianiite were the major phases, with pentahydrite, epsomite, hydrohalite, gypsum, blödite, konyaite and loweite also observed. Na2Mg(SO4)2·16H2O was again found to be present and increased in proportion relative to other phases as the temperature decreased. The results are discussed in relation to possible implications for life on Europa and application to other icy ocean worlds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen P. Thompson
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0DE, United Kingdom
| | - Hilary Kennedy
- School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, Anglesey LL59 5AB, United Kingdom
| | - Benjamin M. Butler
- Environmental and Biochemical Sciences, The James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen AB15 8QH, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah J. Day
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0DE, United Kingdom
| | - Emmal Safi
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0DE, United Kingdom
- Astrophysics Group, Lennard-Jones Laboratories, Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire ST5 5BG, United Kingdom
| | - Aneurin Evans
- Astrophysics Group, Lennard-Jones Laboratories, Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire ST5 5BG, United Kingdom
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6
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Trudnowska E, Lacour L, Ardyna M, Rogge A, Irisson JO, Waite AM, Babin M, Stemmann L. Marine snow morphology illuminates the evolution of phytoplankton blooms and determines their subsequent vertical export. Nat Commun 2021; 12:2816. [PMID: 33990580 PMCID: PMC8121919 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-22994-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The organic carbon produced in the ocean's surface by phytoplankton is either passed through the food web or exported to the ocean interior as marine snow. The rate and efficiency of such vertical export strongly depend on the size, structure and shape of individual particles, but apart from size, other morphological properties are still not quantitatively monitored. With the growing number of in situ imaging technologies, there is now a great possibility to analyze the morphology of individual marine snow. Thus, automated methods for their classification are urgently needed. Consequently, here we present a simple, objective categorization method of marine snow into a few ecologically meaningful functional morphotypes using field data from successive phases of the Arctic phytoplankton bloom. The proposed approach is a promising tool for future studies aiming to integrate the diversity, composition and morphology of marine snow into our understanding of the biological carbon pump.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Léo Lacour
- Takuvik Joint International Laboratory (CNRS and Université Laval), Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Mathieu Ardyna
- Department of Earth System Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Laboratoire d'Océanographie de Villefranche, LOV, Villefranche-sur-Mer, France
| | - Andreas Rogge
- Institute for Ecosystem Research, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
- Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Center for Polar and Marine Research, Polar Biological Oceanography Section, Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Jean Olivier Irisson
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Laboratoire d'Océanographie de Villefranche, LOV, Villefranche-sur-Mer, France
| | - Anya M Waite
- Ocean Frontier Institute and Department of Oceanography, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Marcel Babin
- Takuvik Joint International Laboratory (CNRS and Université Laval), Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Lars Stemmann
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Laboratoire d'Océanographie de Villefranche, LOV, Villefranche-sur-Mer, France
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7
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Rowlands E, Galloway T, Manno C. A Polar outlook: Potential interactions of micro- and nano-plastic with other anthropogenic stressors. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 754:142379. [PMID: 33254857 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Revised: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Polar marine ecosystems may have higher sensitivity than other ecosystems to plastic pollution due to recurrent physical and biological features; presence of ice and high UV radiation, slow growth rates and weak genetic differentiation of resident biota, accumulation of persistent organic pollutants and heavy metals, and fast rates of warming and global ocean acidification. Here, we discuss potential sources of and exposure to micro- and nano-plastic in polar marine ecosystems and potential mixture effects of micro- and nano-plastic coupled with chemical and climate related stressors. We address the anthropogenic contaminants likely to be 'high risk' for interactions in Arctic and Antarctic waters for reasons such as accumulation under sea-ice, a known sink for plastic particulates. Consequently, we address the potential for localised plastic-chemical interactions and possible seasonal fluctuations in interactions associated with freeze-thaw events. The risks for keystone polar species are also considered, incorporating the behavioural and physiological traits of biota and addressing potential 'hotspot' areas. Finally, we discuss a possible direction for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Rowlands
- British Antarctic Survey, High Cross, Madingley Rd, Cambridge CB3 0ET, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; University of Exeter, College of Life and Environmental Science, Streatham Campus, Stocker Rd, Exeter EX4 4PY, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
| | - Tamara Galloway
- University of Exeter, College of Life and Environmental Science, Streatham Campus, Stocker Rd, Exeter EX4 4PY, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Clara Manno
- British Antarctic Survey, High Cross, Madingley Rd, Cambridge CB3 0ET, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
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8
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Nöthig EM, Lalande C, Fahl K, Metfies K, Salter I, Bauerfeind E. Annual cycle of downward particle fluxes on each side of the Gakkel Ridge in the central Arctic Ocean. PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. SERIES A, MATHEMATICAL, PHYSICAL, AND ENGINEERING SCIENCES 2020; 378:20190368. [PMID: 32862819 PMCID: PMC7481669 DOI: 10.1098/rsta.2019.0368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Two mooring arrays carrying sediment traps were deployed from September 2011 to August 2012 at ∼83°N on each side of the Gakkel Ridge in the Nansen and Amundsen Basins to measure downward particle flux below the euphotic zone (approx. 250 m) and approximately 150 m above seafloor at approximately 3500 and 4000 m depth, respectively. In a region that still experiences nearly complete ice cover throughout the year, export fluxes of total particulate matter (TPM), particulate organic carbon (POC), particulate nitrogen (PN), biogenic matter, lithogenic matter, biogenic particulate silica (bPSi), calcium carbonate (CaCO3), protists and biomarkers only slightly decreased with depth. Seasonal variations of particulate matter fluxes were similar on both sides of the Gakkel Ridge. Somewhat higher export rates in the Amundsen Basin and differences in the composition of the sinking TPM and bPSi on each side of the Gakkel Ridge probably reflected the influence of the Lena River/Transpolar Drift in the Amundsen Basin and the influence of Atlantic water in the Nansen Basin. Low variations in particle export with depth revealed a limited influence of lateral advection in the deep barren Eurasian Basin. This article is part of the theme issue 'The changing Arctic Ocean: consequences for biological communities, biogeochemical processes and ecosystem functioning'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva-Maria Nöthig
- Polar Biological Oceanography, Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI), Am Handelshafen 12, Bremerhaven, Bremen 27570, Germany
- e-mail:
| | - Catherine Lalande
- Amundsen Science, Pavillon Alexandre-Vachon, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, CanadaG1 V 0A6
| | - Kirsten Fahl
- Polar Biological Oceanography, Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI), Am Handelshafen 12, Bremerhaven, Bremen 27570, Germany
| | - Katja Metfies
- Polar Biological Oceanography, Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI), Am Handelshafen 12, Bremerhaven, Bremen 27570, Germany
| | - Ian Salter
- Polar Biological Oceanography, Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI), Am Handelshafen 12, Bremerhaven, Bremen 27570, Germany
- Faroe Marine Research Institute, Tørshaven, Faroe Islands
| | - Eduard Bauerfeind
- Polar Biological Oceanography, Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI), Am Handelshafen 12, Bremerhaven, Bremen 27570, Germany
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9
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Orkney A, Platt T, Narayanaswamy BE, Kostakis I, Bouman HA. Bio-optical evidence for increasing Phaeocystis dominance in the Barents Sea. PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. SERIES A, MATHEMATICAL, PHYSICAL, AND ENGINEERING SCIENCES 2020; 378:20190357. [PMID: 32862820 PMCID: PMC7481673 DOI: 10.1098/rsta.2019.0357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Increasing contributions of prymnesiophytes such as Phaeocystis pouchetii and Emiliania huxleyi to Barents Sea (BS) phytoplankton production have been suggested based on in situ observations of phytoplankton community composition, but the scattered and discontinuous nature of these records confounds simple inference of community change or its relationship to salient environmental variables. However, provided that meaningful assessments of phytoplankton community composition can be inferred based on their optical characteristics, ocean-colour records offer a potential means to develop a synthesis between sporadic in situ observations. Existing remote-sensing algorithms to retrieve phytoplankton functional types based on chlorophyll-a (chl-a) concentration or indices of pigment packaging may, however, fail to distinguish Phaeocystis from other blooms of phytoplankton with high pigment packaging, such as diatoms. We develop a novel algorithm to distinguish major phytoplankton functional types in the BS and apply it to the MODIS-Aqua ocean-colour record, to study changes in the composition of BS phytoplankton blooms in July, between 2002 and 2018, creating time series of the spatial distribution and intensity of coccolithophore, diatom and Phaeocystis blooms. We confirm a north-eastward expansion in coccolithophore bloom distribution, identified in previous studies, and suggest an inferred increase in chl-a concentrations, reported by previous researchers, may be partly explained by increasing frequencies of Phaeocystis blooms. This article is part of the theme issue 'The changing Arctic Ocean: consequences for biological communities, biogeochemical processes and ecosystem functioning'.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Orkney
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford, 3 South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3AN, UK
- e-mail:
| | - T. Platt
- Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Prospect Place, Plymouth PL1 3DH, UK
| | - B. E. Narayanaswamy
- Scottish Association for Marine Science, Scottish Marine Institute, Oban PA37 1QA, UK
| | - I. Kostakis
- School of Computing, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth PO1 3HE, UK
- Physics Department, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 ONG, UK
| | - H. A. Bouman
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford, 3 South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3AN, UK
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10
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Tekman MB, Wekerle C, Lorenz C, Primpke S, Hasemann C, Gerdts G, Bergmann M. Tying up Loose Ends of Microplastic Pollution in the Arctic: Distribution from the Sea Surface through the Water Column to Deep-Sea Sediments at the HAUSGARTEN Observatory. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2020; 54:4079-4090. [PMID: 32142614 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b06981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies have shown that despite its remoteness, the Arctic region harbors some of the highest microplastic (MP) concentrations worldwide. Here, we present the results of a sampling campaign to assess the vertical distribution of MP particles (>11 μm) at five stations of the HAUSGARTEN observatory. Water column samples were taken with large volume pumps by filtering 218-561 L of seawater at two to four depth strata (near-surface, ∼300 m, ∼1000 m, and above seafloor), and sediment samples were taken with a multiple corer. MP concentrations in the water column ranged between 0 and 1287 N m-3 and in the sediment from 239 to 13 331 N kg-1. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) imaging with automated data analysis showed that polyamide (39%) and ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (23%) were the most abundant polymers within the water samples and polyethylene-chlorinated (31%) in sediments. MPs ≤ 25 μm accounted for more than half of the synthetic particles in every sample. The largest MP particle recorded was in the 200 μm size class. The concentrations of fibers were not reported, as fiber detection by FTIR imaging was not available at the time of analyses. Two- and three-dimensional simulations of particle transport trajectories suggest different pathways for certain polymer types. A positive correlation between MP size composition and particulate organic carbon indicates interactions with biological processes in the water column.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mine B Tekman
- Alfred-Wegener-Institut, Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Am Handelshafen 12, 27570 Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Claudia Wekerle
- Alfred-Wegener-Institut, Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Klußmannstrasse 3d, 27570 Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Claudia Lorenz
- Alfred-Wegener-Institut, Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Kurpromenade, 27498 Helgoland, 27570 Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Sebastian Primpke
- Alfred-Wegener-Institut, Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Kurpromenade, 27498 Helgoland, 27570 Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Christiane Hasemann
- Alfred-Wegener-Institut, Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Am Handelshafen 12, 27570 Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Gunnar Gerdts
- Alfred-Wegener-Institut, Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Kurpromenade, 27498 Helgoland, 27570 Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Melanie Bergmann
- Alfred-Wegener-Institut, Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Am Handelshafen 12, 27570 Bremerhaven, Germany
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11
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de Sousa AGG, Tomasino MP, Duarte P, Fernández-Méndez M, Assmy P, Ribeiro H, Surkont J, Leite RB, Pereira-Leal JB, Torgo L, Magalhães C. Diversity and Composition of Pelagic Prokaryotic and Protist Communities in a Thin Arctic Sea-Ice Regime. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2019; 78:388-408. [PMID: 30623212 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-018-01314-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2018] [Accepted: 12/25/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
One of the most prominent manifestations of climate change is the changing Arctic sea-ice regime with a reduction in the summer sea-ice extent and a shift from thicker, perennial multiyear ice towards thinner, first-year ice. These changes in the physical environment are likely to impact microbial communities, a key component of Arctic marine food webs and biogeochemical cycles. During the Norwegian young sea ICE expedition (N-ICE2015) north of Svalbard, seawater samples were collected at the surface (5 m), subsurface (20 or 50 m), and mesopelagic (250 m) depths on 9 March, 27 April, and 16 June 2015. In addition, several physical and biogeochemical data were recorded to contextualize the collected microbial communities. Through the massively parallel sequencing of the small subunit ribosomal RNA amplicon and metagenomic data, this work allows studying the Arctic's microbial community structure during the late winter to early summer transition. Results showed that, at compositional level, Alpha- (30.7%) and Gammaproteobacteria (28.6%) are the most frequent taxa across the prokaryotic N-ICE2015 collection, and also the most phylogenetically diverse. Winter to early summer trends were quite evident since there was a high relative abundance of thaumarchaeotes in the under-ice water column in late winter while this group was nearly absent during early summer. Moreover, the emergence of Flavobacteria and the SAR92 clade in early summer might be associated with the degradation of a spring bloom of Phaeocystis. High relative abundance of hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria, particularly Alcanivorax (54.3%) and Marinobacter (6.3%), was also found. Richness showed different patterns along the depth gradient for prokaryotic (highest at mesopelagic depth) and protistan communities (higher at subsurface depths). The microbial N-ICE2015 collection analyzed in the present study provides comprehensive new knowledge about the pelagic microbiota below drifting Arctic sea-ice. The higher microbial diversity found in late winter/early spring communities reinforces the need to continue with further studies to properly characterize the winter microbial communities under the pack-ice.
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Affiliation(s)
- António Gaspar G de Sousa
- CIIMAR/CIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos s/n, 4450-208, Porto, Portugal.
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua Campo Alegre s/n, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal.
| | - Maria Paola Tomasino
- CIIMAR/CIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos s/n, 4450-208, Porto, Portugal
| | - Pedro Duarte
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram Centre, N-9296, Tromsø, Norway
| | | | - Philipp Assmy
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram Centre, N-9296, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Hugo Ribeiro
- CIIMAR/CIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos s/n, 4450-208, Porto, Portugal
| | - Jaroslaw Surkont
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Rua da Quinta Grande, 6, 2780-156, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Ricardo B Leite
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Rua da Quinta Grande, 6, 2780-156, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - José B Pereira-Leal
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Rua da Quinta Grande, 6, 2780-156, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Luís Torgo
- LIAAD - Laboratory of Artificial Intelligence and Decision Support, INESC Tec, Porto, Portugal
- Faculty of Computer Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada, USA
| | - Catarina Magalhães
- CIIMAR/CIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos s/n, 4450-208, Porto, Portugal
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua Campo Alegre s/n, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
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