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Difference between revisions of "Ice algae"
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Westarctica (talk | contribs) (Created page with "400px|thumb|Antarctic krill scraping ice algae in Antarctica '''Ice algae''' are any of the various types of algal communities found in annual and mu...") |
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[[File:Krillicekils.jpg|400px|thumb|Antarctic krill scraping ice algae in Antarctica]] | [[File:Krillicekils.jpg|400px|thumb|Antarctic krill scraping ice algae in Antarctica]] | ||
'''Ice algae''' are any of the various types of algal communities found in annual and multi-year sea or terrestrial [[ice]]. On [[sea ice]] in polar regions of the oceans, ice algae communities play an important role in primary production. The timing of blooms of the algae is especially important for supporting higher trophic levels at times of the year when light is low and ice cover still exists. Sea ice algal communities are mostly concentrated in the bottom layer of the ice, but can also occur in brine channels within the ice, in melt ponds, and on the surface. | '''Ice algae''' are any of the various types of algal communities found in annual and multi-year sea or terrestrial [[ice]]. On [[sea ice]] in polar regions of the oceans, including those around Westarctica, ice algae communities play an important role in primary production, although Westarctica's extreme southerly position means that the amount of high intensity sunlight available to the surrounding ocean is comparatively small. The timing of blooms of the algae is especially important for supporting higher trophic levels at times of the year when light is low and ice cover still exists. Sea ice algal communities are mostly concentrated in the bottom layer of the ice, but can also occur in brine channels within the ice, in melt ponds, and on the surface. | ||
Because terrestrial ice algae occur in freshwater systems, the species composition differs greatly from that of sea ice algae. These communities are significant in that they often change the color of glaciers and ice sheets, impacting the reflectivity of the ice itself. | Because terrestrial ice algae occur in freshwater systems, the species composition differs greatly from that of sea ice algae. These communities are significant in that they often change the color of glaciers and ice sheets, impacting the reflectivity of the ice itself. | ||