RESUMEN
Ongoing warming is leading to the accelerated shrinkage of glaciers located on Arctic islands. Consequently, the influence of glacial meltwater on phytoplankton primary production in Arctic bays becomes critically important in an era of warming. This work studies the spatiotemporal variation of primary production and chlorophyll a concentration in the bays along the eastern coast of the Novaya Zemlya archipelago. Data were collected during nine cruises performed from July to October (2013-2022). The effect of underwater photosynthetically available radiation (PAR) and nutrients on primary production was assessed separately for bays influenced by glacial meltwater (glacial bays) and those without such influence (non-glacial bays). The median value of water column-integrated primary production (IPP) for all bays was 38 mgC m-2 d-1, characterizing them as oligotrophic areas. IPP in non-glacial bays was found to be 2.3-fold and 1.4-fold higher than that in glacial bays during summer and autumn, respectively. Underwater PAR was the main abiotic factor determining IPP during the ice-free period. In the entire bays nutrient concentrations were high, exceeding the limiting values for growth and photosynthesis of phytoplankton. It was concluded that the high turbidity from glacial meltwater runoff leads to decreased underwater PAR and, consequently, to a decline in IPP. This study demonstrates that rapid warming could have a negative impact on the productivity of high Arctic bays and their adjacent areas.
Asunto(s)
Clorofila A , Monitoreo del Ambiente , Cubierta de Hielo , Fitoplancton , Regiones Árticas , Clorofila A/análisis , Bahías , Clorofila/análisis , Estaciones del Año , Fotosíntesis , Agua de Mar/químicaRESUMEN
Beached macrolitter (>2,5 cm) abundance and composition in the Russian (Eastern) part of the Barents Sea and the adjacent part of the Kara Sea was assessed for 2021-2023. Average densities of beach litter on the coasts are 675 items/100 m and 37 kg/100 m (0.27 items/m2 and 0.015 kg/m2). Annual litter budgets for Cape Zhelaniya beaches are 0.49 items/m2 per year and 0.023 kg/m2 per year. The northernmost tip of Novaya Zemlya is shown to be a beach litter accumulation hot-spot on Novaya Zemlya archipelago, where litter is brought by surface currents and trapped by sea ice margins. Up to 80 % of beached marine macrolitter is made of plastics, originating from vessels. A certain accumulation strip of a beach was identified (14 m - 27.5 m distance from the waterline), and significance of the beach backshore was shown in litter accumulation. Beach litter accounting methodologies on the Arctic beaches are discussed.
Asunto(s)
Playas , Monitoreo del Ambiente , Regiones Árticas , Federación de Rusia , Plásticos/análisisRESUMEN
New data on the diet of the wild reindeer (Rangifer tarandus pearsoni) on the Yuzhny Island of the Novaya Zemlya archipelago in the summer are presented. The coprological method shows the predominance of vascular plants in the studied samples of reindeer feces. The selectivity of reindeer in relation to pasture habitats and forage groups of plants indicates that the area and variety of forage lands in the summer are sufficient for the reindeer and are not limiting factors for it.