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Paleolimnological significance of observed distribution patterns of chrysophyte cysts in arctic pond environments

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Abstract

In a survey of 35 high arctic ponds, chrysophycean cysts were relatively more common in moss periphyton and epilithon habitats, than in surface sediment samples. The highest percentages of cysts relative to diatoms were found in the semi-aquatic mosses. Although chrysophytes are generally considered to be planktonic, periphytic taxa may be common in high latitudes. The ratio of diatom frustules to chrysophyte cysts in arctic sediment cores may be tracking different environmental variables than paleolimnologists may intuitively expect based on observations from more temperate regions.

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Douglas, M.S.V., Smol, J.P. Paleolimnological significance of observed distribution patterns of chrysophyte cysts in arctic pond environments. J Paleolimnol 13, 79–83 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00678112

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