The role of iron as a micro-nutrient to the Antarctic sea-ice zone algal community - Casey Data

Brief description

Public Description of the Project
This project will assess the importance of the trace micro-nutrient element iron to Antarctic sea-ice algal communities during the International Polar Year (2007-2009). We will investigate the biogeochemistry of iron, including a comprehensive examination of its distribution, speciation, cycling and role in fuelling ice-edge phytoplankton blooms. A significant part of this research will concentrate on the the influence of organic exopolysaccharides on iron solubility, complexation and bioavailability, both within the ice and in surrounding snow and surface seawater. This innovative research will improve our understanding of key processes that control the productivity of the climatically-important Antarctic sea-ice zone.

Project objectives:
This project will assess the importance of the trace element iron (Fe) as a micro-nutrient to seasonal sea-ice algal communities in the Australian sector of Antarctica during the International Polar Year (2007-09). We will investigate the biogeochemistry of Fe, including a comprehensive examination of its distribution, speciation, cycling and role in fuelling ice-edge phytoplankton blooms. A significant part of this research will concentrate on the influence of organic exopolysaccharides (EPS) on Fe solubility and complexation (and hence bioavailability), both within the ice and in surrounding surface waters. This innovative research will improve our understanding of key processes that control the productivity of the climatically-important Antarctic sea-ice zone.

This metadata record describes data collected at Casey Station as part of project 3026.

Collected data from the time series experiment in sea ice near Casey station Antarctica (66 degrees 13 minutes 07 seconds S, 110 degrees 39 minutes 02 seconds E). Measurements were made at the same location during seven consecutive study days between 10 November and 2 December 2009. Variables measured were pFe (particulate Fe), TDFe (total dissolvable Fe), dFe (dissolved Fe), plFe (particulate leachable Fe), PON (particulate organic nitrogen), POC (particulate organic carbon), Chl a (Chlorophyll a), salinity, ice temperature, vb/v (brine volume fraction), mean daily air temperature, and max daily air temperature.
Measurements were taken on each study day of the snow directly overlying the sea ice (SNOW), a shallow and a deep brine (B- and B+, respectively), three sections of the sea ice core at median depths 3, 33, and 73 centimeters (SI1, SI2, and SI3, respectively) as well as two consecutive sections in the lower most basal ice (SI4 and SI5). Finally, four samples were taken of the underlying seawater at 0, 5, 10 and 15 m (SW0, SW5, SW10 and SW15, respectively).

Lineage

Progress Code: completed

Statement: See the parent record for further information.