Seafloor primary production in a changing Arctic Ocean.

ABSTRACT: Phytoplankton and sea ice algae are traditionally considered to be the main primary producers in the Arctic Ocean. In this Perspective, we explore the importance of benthic primary producers (BPPs) encompassing microalgae, macroalgae, and seagrasses, which represent a poorly quantified source of Arctic marine primary production. Despite scarce observations, models predict that BPPs are widespread, colonizing ~3 million km² of the extensive Arctic coastal and shelf seas. Using a synthesis of published data and a novel model, we estimate that BPPs currently contribute ~77 Tg C y^-1 of primary production to the Arctic, equivalent to ~20 to 35% of annual phytoplankton production. Macroalgae contribute ~43 Tg C y^-1, seagrasses contribute ~23 Tg C y^-1,

SUBMITTER: Attard K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10945780 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature