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Fast direct melting of brackish sea-ice samples results in biologically more accurate results than slow buffered melting

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Abstract

Sea-ice samples intended for biological analyses, e.g., chlorophyll-a, cell enumeration of algae and protozoa and primary production, are affected by the sampling and sample processing methods. In this study, we compared different sample processing methods by melting Baltic Sea ice samples in different ways (direct melting, buffered melting in filtered seawater (FSW) and buffered melting in artificial seawater at two different salinities with added nutrients) at two temperatures [+4 °C and room temperature (RT)]. We show that sea-ice samples intended for most commonly used biological analyses can be melted without the addition of FSW. In particular, adding artificial seawater should be avoided. To minimize biological processes, such as growth, death, predation and pigment degradation, the melting should be done rapidly at RT preferably by gently shaking the sample to keep the melt cool.

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Acknowledgments

This study was funded by Walter and Andrée de Nottbeck Foundation (JMR, MM, JP, SM, JU) and Finnish Environment Institute (RA). Nordic Council of Ministers is acknowledged for funding on travel and accommodation granted for Nordic Network on Sea-ice Research (NetICE). All of the fieldwork and laboratory work were made possible by the facilities established in Tvärminne Zoological station, University of Helsinki. The skilled staff and personnel of the Tvärminne Zoological Station, especially Mervi Sjöblom and Eeva Nikkola who carried out the nutrient analyses, are acknowledged for their help and laboratory assistance during the experiment. Marine Research Centre of Finnish Environment Institute provided office space and laboratory assistance, of which the greatest gratitude goes to Johanna Oja who provided us the light microscopic cell enumeration of algae and protozoa. The three anonymous reviewers are also acknowledged. This study is a contribution to SCOR Working Group140 BEPSII (Biogeochemical Exchange Processes at the Sea-Ice Interfaces) task group 1 working on methodologies for guides to best practices.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Tvärminne Zoological Station, University of Helsinki, J. A. Palménintie 260, 10900, Hanko, Finland

    Janne-Markus Rintala, Jonna Piiparinen, Markus Majaneva, Susann Müller & Jari Uusikivi

  2. Department of Environmental Sciences, P.O. Box 65, 00014, University of Helsinki, Finland

    Janne-Markus Rintala, Jaanika Blomster, Markus Majaneva & Susann Müller

  3. Marine Research Centre, Finnish Environment Institute, P.O. Box 140, 00251, Helsinki, Finland

    Janne-Markus Rintala, Jonna Piiparinen, Markus Majaneva, Jari Uusikivi & Riitta Autio

  4. Department of Physics, P.O. Box 64, 00014, University of Helsinki, Finland

    Jari Uusikivi

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  1. Janne-Markus Rintala
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Correspondence to Janne-Markus Rintala.

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Rintala, JM., Piiparinen, J., Blomster, J. et al. Fast direct melting of brackish sea-ice samples results in biologically more accurate results than slow buffered melting. Polar Biol 37, 1811–1822 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-014-1563-1

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