Community-driven variations in snow algae color modulate snow albedo reduction.

ABSTRACT: Snow algae blooms visibly alter snow color and surface energy balance, yet the biological basis of this variability remains unclear. We investigated how pigment composition and community structure shape the optical properties of snow algae blooms of distinct colors - red, orange, and green - co-occurring within the same snowfield in Glacier National Park, USA. We measured the spectral reflectance, pigment composition (HPLC), and algal community composition (18S rRNA amplicon sequencing) of each bloom type to quantify how biological characteristics influence snow reflectance and radiative forcing. Astaxanthin dominated all blooms, while Chla was most abundant in green blooms. Distinct algal taxa characterized each color, with Sanguina dominating red blooms and Chloromonas being more abundan

SUBMITTER: Almela P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12825401 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature