Algorithms to estimate Antarctic sea ice algal biomass from under-ice irradiance spectra at regional scales


Contact
Gerhard.Dieckmann [ at ] awi.de

Abstract

The presence of algal pigments in sea ice alters under-ice irradiance spectra, and the relationship between these variables can be used as a non-invasive means for estimating ice- associated algal biomass on ecologically relevant spatial and temporal scales. While the influence of snow cover and ice algal biomass on spectra transmitted through the snow-ice matrix has been examined for the Arctic, it has not been tested for Antarctic sea ice at regional scales. We used paired measurements of sea ice core chla concentrations and hyperspectral-transmitted under-ice irradiances from 59 sites sampled off East Antarctica and in the Weddell Sea to develop algorithms for estimating algal biomass in Antarctic pack ice. We compared 4 approaches that have been used in various bio-optical studies for marine systems: normalised difference indices, ratios of spectral irradiance, scaled band area and empirical orthogonal functions. The percentage of vari- ance explained by these models ranged from 38 to 79%, with the best-performing approach being normalised difference indices. Given the low concentrations of integrated chl a observed in our study compared with previous studies, our statistical models performed surprisingly well in explaining variability in these concentrations. Our findings provide a basis for future work to develop methods for non-invasive time series measurements and medium- to large-scale spatial mapping of Antarctic ice algal biomass using instrumented underwater vehicles.



Item Type
Article
Authors
Divisions
Primary Division
Programs
Primary Topic
Publication Status
Published
Eprint ID
39094
DOI 10.3354/meps11396

Cite as
Melbourne-Thomas, J. , Meiners, K. M. , Mundy, C. J. , Schallenberg, C. , Tattersall, K. L. and Dieckmann, G. S. (2015): Algorithms to estimate Antarctic sea ice algal biomass from under-ice irradiance spectra at regional scales , Marine Ecology Progress Series, 536 , pp. 107-121 . doi: 10.3354/meps11396


Download
[thumbnail of m536p107(1).pdf]
Preview
PDF
m536p107(1).pdf

Download (1MB) | Preview
Cite this document as:

Share
Add to AnyAdd to TwitterAdd to FacebookAdd to LinkedinAdd to PinterestAdd to Email


Citation

Geographical region

Research Platforms

Campaigns
ANT > XXIII > 7


Actions
Edit Item Edit Item