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Research ESRIG - Energy and Sustainability Research Institute Groningen Centre for Isotope Research - CIO Research

Towards non-intrusive, high resolution primary production estimates in the Western Antarctic Peninsula region using Fast Repetition Rate fluorometry and experimentally derived electron requirements for carbon fixation

Launching a boat (photo by Neil Spencer) and Phytoplankton (photo by Gemma Kulk)
Launching a boat (photo by Neil Spencer) and Phytoplankton (photo by Gemma Kulk)

Summary

Large scale, satellite derived data demonstrate changing marine primary productivity in the Western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP) region due to regional warming. However, field based primary production measurements are needed to support and verify this and, ultimately, to understand the biogeochemical and ecological impacts. The common 14C and/or 13C incorporation techniques require bottle incubations which restrict the number of measurements. As a result, these techniques are not suitable for measurements at high temporal frequency. A detailed perception of climate change impacts would therefore benefit from the development and implementation of non-intrusive primary production estimates.

Fast Repetition Rate fluorometry (FRRf) is increasingly used in Antarctic regions to generate high-resolution estimates of gross primary production. However, research is needed to accurately convert FRRf derived Electron Transport Rates (ETR) into carbon fixation rates for phytoplankton key species and natural assemblages. In the proposed study we will develop this non-intrusive method to estimate phytoplankton primary production at the Rothera Time Series (RaTS) station in the WAP. We will first assess ETR/carbon fixation relationships under relevant conditions (irradiance, temperature, nutrient) using isolated key species from the area. To validate fluorescence based productivity estimates, two field campaigns will be executed where 14-C incorporation, FRRf/ETR, and phytoplankton composition will be followed as a function of environmental conditions.

The proposed project will facilitate implementation of automated FRRs technology at RaTS station. Furthermore, it will yield two full seasons of high resolution primary production data, which will provide essential information on the factors that regulate primary production in this rapidly changing region.

Last modified:18 January 2022 3.35 p.m.