Sea ice presence is linked to higher carbon export and vertical microbial connectivity in the Eurasian Arctic Ocean

• Published in: Communications Biology
• Main Authors: Eduard Fadeev, Andreas Rogge, Simon Ramondenc, Eva-Maria Nöthig, Claudia Wekerle, Christina Bienhold, Ian Salter, Anya M. Waite, Laura Hehemann, Antje Boetius, Morten H. Iversen
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Nature Portfolio 2021
• Subjects: Biology (General); QH301-705.5; Arctic; Arctic Ocean; Fram Strait; Sea ice
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-021-02776-w; https://doaj.org/article/815ed5e3ac7b44f1a3befebaf9a341ec

Fadeev et al. explore carbon export dynamics along the water column using microscopic analysis, 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, and physical modeling of data from long-term sediment traps in the Fram Strait. Their results indicate that larger aggregates from sea-ice and under-ice diatom blooms are responsible for higher export efficiency and vertical microbial connectivity, suggesting that continuous sea-ice loss may result in decreased pelagic-benthic coupling, with resultant impacts on marine food webs.