Seasonal Development of Ice Algae and its Prediction from Environmental Factors near Resolute, N.W.T., Canada

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• Main Authors: Welch, Harold E., Bergmann, Martin A.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1989
• Subjects: Canada; ice algae; Sea ice
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/f89-227; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/f89-227

Development of ice algae growing at the bottom of first-year congelation sea ice near Resolute, N.W.T. (75°N) was studied 1984–86. Ice algae moved downwards 1.5 cm∙d −1 as the ice thickened. Biomass increased logarithmically with doubling times on the order of 4–8 d, reaching over 150 mg chlorophyll a∙m −2 in 1985 and over 300 mg∙m −2 in 1986. Algal development was synchronous up to 120 km from the main study site. Snow cover controlled algal growth indirectly by its effect on light. Algal biomass was predictable from snow thickness and date, or snow thickness and light equally well (overall r 2 = 0.77 for 1985 and 1986 combined). Ice-associated amphipods were correlated with reduced ice algal biomass, but Si and NO 3 concentrations and tidal cycle had little or no detectable effect. Snow depth frequency distribution data are given. Peak ice algal biomass under low snow in 1986 was equal to 0.5 t dry weight and 4.7 kg Si∙ha −1 .