Arctic Sea Ice: Channels of Life - Middle Arctic Ocean Producers (Plants)

Arctic Sea Ice: Channels of Life
Rolf Gradinger, Assistant Professor
Institute of Marine Science, University of Alaska
NOAA Ocean Explorations

A Microscopic Haven
Until recently, diatoms were considered to be the most important microorganisms inside the ice in terms of abundance and productivity, but a greater complexity is now appreciated. Several hundred unicellular species of algae are the main primary producers in this environment. Largely based on studies of sea ice known as "coastal fast" and "first-year level" ice, algal primary production contributes from 4 to 26% of the total primary production in seasonally ice-covered Arctic waters. This fraction can be expected to increase to 50% or more in perennially ice-covered waters due to the reduction in shortwave radiation penetrating the water column.

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