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Sea ice microbial dynamics over an annual ice cycle in Prydz Bay, Antarctica

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Abstract

Microbial community dynamics within the fast sea ice of Prydz Bay (68°S 78°E) were investigated over an annual cycle at two sites (1 and 3 km offshore) between April and November 2008. There are few long-term sea ice studies, and few that cover the phase of winter darkness when autotrophic processes are curtailed. Mean chlorophyll a concentrations in the ice column ranged between 0.76 and 44.8 μg L−1 at the 1-km site (Site 1) and 3.11–144.6 μg L−1 at the 3-km site (Site 2). Highest chlorophyll a usually occurred at the base of the ice. Bacterial concentrations ranged between 0.30 and 2.08 × 108 cells L−1, heterotrophic nanoflagellates (HNAN) between 0.21 × 105 and 2.98 × 105 cells L−1 and phototrophic nanoflagellates (PNAN) 0–1.06 × 105 cells L−1. While HNAN occurred throughout the year, PNAN were largely absent in winter. Dinoflagellates were a conspicuous and occasionally an abundant element of the community (maximum 17,460 cells L−1), while ciliates were sparse. The bacterial community showed considerable morphological diversity with a dominance of filamentous forms. Bacterial production continued throughout the year ranging between 0 and 22.92 μg C L−1 day−1 throughout the ice column. Lowest rates occurred between late June and early August. The sea ice sustained an active and diverse microbial community through its annual extent. The data suggest that during winter darkness the microbial community is dominated by heterotrophic processes, sustained by a pool of dissolved organic carbon.

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Acknowledgments

We are indebted to the support of the Davis expeditioners during 2008/09 for their assistance with fieldwork. This work was funded by grants from the University of Tasmania and the Australian Antarctic Research Assessment Committee.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia

    Harriet Paterson

  2. School of Geographical Studies, Bristol Glaciology Centre, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1SS, UK

    Johanna Laybourn-Parry

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  1. Harriet Paterson
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  2. Johanna Laybourn-Parry
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Correspondence to Johanna Laybourn-Parry.

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Paterson, H., Laybourn-Parry, J. Sea ice microbial dynamics over an annual ice cycle in Prydz Bay, Antarctica. Polar Biol 35, 993–1002 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-011-1146-3

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