| > Oceanography > Issues > Archive > Volume 24, Number 3 |
2011, Oceanography 24(3):302–308, http://dx.doi.org/10.5670/oceanog.2011.81
Holes in Progressively Thinning Arctic Sea Ice
Lead to New Ice Algae Habitat
Authors | Abstract | Full Article | Citation | References
Authors
Sang Heon Lee | Department of Oceanography, Pusan National University, Busan, Korea
C. Peter McRoy | International Arctic Research Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, USA
Hyoung Min Joo | Korea Polar Research Institute, Incheon, Korea
Rolf Gradinger | Institute of Marine Science, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, USA
Xuehua Cui | Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA
Mi Sun Yun | Korea Polar Research Institute, Incheon, Korea
Kyung Ho Chung | Korea Polar Research Institute, Incheon, Korea
Sung-Ho Kang | Korea Polar Research Institute, Incheon, Korea
Chang-Keun Kang | Ocean Science & Technology Institute, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Korea
Eun Jung Choy | Korea Polar Research Institute, Incheon, Korea
Seunghyun Son | IM Systems Group, Rockville, MD, USA
Eddy Carmack | Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Institute of Ocean Sciences, Sidney, BC, Canada
Terry E. Whitledge | Institute of Marine Science, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, USA
Abstract
The retreat and thinning of Arctic sea ice associated with climate warming is resulting in ever-changing ecological processes and patterns. One example is our discovery of myriad new "marine aquaria" formed by melt holes in the perennial sea ice. In previous years, these features were closed, freshwater melt ponds on the surface of sea ice. Decreased ice thickness now allows these ponds to melt through to the underlying ocean, thus creating a new marine habitat and concentrating a food source for the ecosystem through accumulation of algae attached to refreezing ice in late summer. This article describes the formation of these late-season algal masses and comments on their overall contribution to Arctic ecosystems and the consequences of a continued decline in sea ice.
Full Article
Citation
Lee, S.H., C.P. McRoy, H.M. Joo, R. Gradinger, X. Cui, M.S. Yun, K.H. Chung, S.-H. Kang, C.-K. Kang, E.J. Choy, S. Son, E. Carmack, and T.E. Whitledge. 2011. Holes in progressively thinning Arctic sea ice lead to new ice algae habitat. Oceanography 24(3):302–308, http://dx.doi.org/10.5670/oceanog.2011.81.
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