The influence of winter water on phytoplankton blooms in the Chukchi Sea

摘要: Abstract The flow of nutrient-rich winter water (WW) through the Chukchi Sea plays an important and previously uncharacterized role in sustaining summer phytoplankton blooms. Using hydrographic biogeochemical data collected as part ICESCAPE program (June–July 2010–11), we examined bloom dynamics relation to distribution circulation WW (defined with potential temperature ≤−1.6 °C) across shelf. Characterized by high concentrations nitrate (mean: 12.3±5.13 µmol L−1) that typically limits primary production this region, was correlated extremely biomass, mean chlorophyll a were 3-fold higher (8.64±9.75 µg L−1) than adjacent warmer (2.79±5.58 µg L−1). Maximum (~30 µg L−1) positioned at interface between shallower, more light availability. Comparing satellite-based calculations open duration nutrient concentrations, oxygen saturation revealed widespread evidence under-ice blooms prior our sampling, properties indicating had already terminated many places where no longer present. Our results suggest are sustained for along pathways biological hotspots region (e.g. mouth Barrow Canyon) largely driven confluence these productive