Evolution of stable isotope composition of POM in a coastal zone covered by fast ice

What is it about?

Concentration and stable isotope composition of particulate organic carbon and nitrogen were analysed in fast ice and in the underlying seawater at Terra Nova Bay in 2004. The trends of particulate matter were compared to those of dissolved inorganic and organic matter, to analyse the most important biological processes in the ice. Exceptionally, the study covered a phase of ice break out, permitting the analysis of these processes during the transition toward an ice-free coastal environment.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

In spring, a large quantity of particulate organic matter accumulates in fast ice due to the biological activity. This pool of matter shows a highly variable isotope composition of carbon and nitrogen, as a result of the heterogeneity of the growth conditions in ice habitats and of their fast temporal evolution. During the events of ice breakout, ice particulate is clearly released in the coastal waters, but its export in larger regions of the Southern Ocean should be better quantified.