There are two objectives of this field project. The first is to evaluate and compare techniques used in monitoring sea ice algae primary production. The second objective is to use these techniques in determining the environmental cause of uncharacteristically low biomass/production in the fjord. To achieve objective 1, a series of in situ and laboratory incubations will be done to assess potential technique based differences in production rate (14C tracer, oxygen optode, ‘bag incubations’). Differences in optical environments will also be compared by culturing in different light, particularly scattering, environments. To assess objective 2, in situ algae will be monitored with coincident recording of environmental variables such as sea ice micro-scale growth-melt, nutrients, light etc.

Site: Kanajorusuit Fjord, Nuuk, Greenland

PI: Karley Campbell