Measurements of the effects of UV-B on sea ice algal growth and productivity

The growth of sea ice algae was investigated in situ under four different light treatments including a) control; under normal snow cover (10cm) with UV-B and PAR radiation, b) normal snow cover, natural PAR but no UV-B radiation, c) no snow, natural UV-B and PAR radiation and d) no snow, natural PAR radiation but no UV-B. Sea ice algal biomass was measured over a 15 day period.

The second experiment was undertaken in the on site lab at Cape Evans. Cores of sea ice algae were subjected to a range of UV-B and PAR irradiances to simulate the effects of the depleted ozone layer to determine the effects of UV-B on sea ice algal productivity. A heliostat was trialled to obtain a natural solar spectrum.