IGN 15-3
Long term trends in phytoplankton productivity in McMurdo Dry Valley (Antarctica) lakes

Thursday, August 13, 2015
345, Baltimore Convention Center
John C. Priscu, Department of Land Resources & Environmental Sciences, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT
Amy Chiuchiolo, Department of Land Resources & Environmental Sciences, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT
Pamela Santibáñez-Ávila, Department of Land Resources & Environmental Sciences, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT
Maciej K. Obryk, Department of Geology, Portland State University, Portland, OR
Peter T. Doran, Department of Geology and Geophysics, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA
Michael N. Gooseff, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
The McMurdo Dry Valley lakes are highly responsive to changes in climate. More than 20 years of phytoplankton productivity data reveal that these lakes produce up to 9000 kg of new carbon per year. The rate of carbon production is strongly influenced by available light, which is controlled to a large extend by the thickness of the permanent ice cover. In addition, the diffusive flux of inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus from deep aphotic waters exerts a continuous control on primary productivity, whereas large temporal changes in productivity are related to stream input during warm, high flow years.
See more of: Understanding of the Dynamics and Controls of Primary Productivity in a Changing World
See more of: Ignite ESA Sessions
<< Previous Abstract | Next Abstract >>