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Biomass, composition and activity of organism assemblages along a salinity gradient in sea ice subjected to river discharge in the Baltic Sea

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Abstract

A study was undertaken to examine the activity and composition of the seasonal Baltic Sea land-fast sea-ice biota along a salinity gradient in March 2003 in a coastal location in the SW coast of Finland. Using a multi-variable data set, the less well-known algal and protozoan communities, and algal and bacterial production in relation to the physical and chemical environment were investigated. Also, the first coincident measurements of bacterial production and dissolved organic matter (DOM) in a sea-ice system are reported. Communities in sea ice were clearly autotrophy-dominated with algal biomass representing 79% of the total biomass. Protozoa and rotifers made up 18% of biomass in the ice and bacteria only 3%. Highest biomasses were found in mid-transect bottom ice. Water column assemblages were clearly more heterotrophic: 39% algae, 12% bacteria and 49% for rotifers and protozoa. Few significant correlations existed between DOM and bacterial variables, reflecting the complex origin of ice DOM. Dynamics of dissolved organic carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus (DOC, DON and DOP) were also uncoupled. A functional microbial loop is likely to be present in the studied ice. Existence of an under-ice freshwater plume affects the ecosystem functioning: Under-ice water communities are influenced directly by river-water mixing, whereas the ice system seems to be more independent—the interaction mainly taking place through the formation of active bottom communities.

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Acknowledgments

Financial support for this study was provided by the Walter and Andrée de Nottbeck Foundation and Academy of Finland BIREME-programme. Tvärminne Zoological Station is acknowledged for access to its facilities and support by the station staff. A.-M. Åström (at TZS), I. Lastumäki and K. Hyvärinen (at FIMR) are acknowledged for analysing nutrients, L. Norman and D. Evans (in Bangor) for technical assistance and J. Ehn for help in the field.

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  1. Mats A. Granskog

    Present address: Centre for Earth Observation Science, Department of Environment and Geography, University of Manitoba, 482, R3T2N2, Winnipeg, MB, Canada

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Finnish Institute of Marine Research, P. O. Box 2, 00561, Helsinki, Finland

    Hermanni Kaartokallio

  2. Tvärminne Zoological Station, University of Helsinki, 10900, Hanko, Finland

    Harri Kuosa & Kai Kivi

  3. School of Ocean Sciences, University of Wales–Bangor, Menai Bridge, Angelsey, LL59 5AB, UK

    David N. Thomas

  4. Arctic Centre, University of Lapland, P. O. Box 122, 96101, Rovaniemi, Finland

    Mats A. Granskog

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  1. Hermanni Kaartokallio
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Correspondence to Hermanni Kaartokallio.

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Kaartokallio, H., Kuosa, H., Thomas, D.N. et al. Biomass, composition and activity of organism assemblages along a salinity gradient in sea ice subjected to river discharge in the Baltic Sea. Polar Biol 30, 183–197 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-006-0172-z

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