UV radiation and photosynthetic production in Antarctic sea ice microalgae

✍ Scribed by Ken G. Ryan

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 1992
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 403 KB
• Volume: 13
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1011-1344
• DOI: 10.1016/1011-1344(92)85063-z

✦ Synopsis

During spring when ozone depletion is at its maximum, up to 10% of the surface UV radiation may penetrate Antarctic sea ice to the algal community growing at the lower surface. These algae ultimately form a major portion of the food web in the Southern Ocean and reduction in productivity due to enhanced UV radiation may have serious implications for all marine life. The small (5%) but statistically significant reduction in photosynthetic production observed as a result of UV treatment of ice microalgae indicates that the effect on these algae at least may not be as drastic as sometimes predicted.