Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2022-916
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2022-916
27 Sep 2022
 | 27 Sep 2022

The sensitivity of primary productivity in Disko Bay, a coastal Arctic ecosystem to changes in freshwater discharge and sea ice cover

Eva Friis Møller, Asbjørn Christensen, Janus Larsen, Kenneth David Mankoff, Mads Hvid Ribergaard, Mikael Kristian Sejr, Philip Wallhead, and Marie Maar

Abstract. The Greenland Ice Sheet is melting, and the rate of ice loss has increased 6-fold since the 1980s. At the same time, the Arctic sea ice extent is decreasing. Melt water runoff and sea ice reduction both influence light and nutrient availability in the coastal ocean with implications for the timing, distribution and magnitude of phytoplankton production. However, the integrated effect of both glacial and sea ice melt is highly variable in time and space, making it challenging to quantify. In this study, we evaluate the relative importance of these processes for the primary productivity of Disko Bay, West Greenland, one of the most important areas for biodiversity and fisheries around Greenland. We use a high-resolution 3D coupled hydrodynamic-biogeochemical model for 2004 to 2018 validated against in situ observations and remote sensing products. The model estimated net primary production (NPP) varied between 90–147 gC m-2 year-1 during 2004–2018, a period with variable freshwater discharges and sea ice cover. NPP correlated negatively with sea ice cover, and positively with freshwater discharge. Fresh water discharge had a strong local effect within ∼25 km of the source sustaining productive hot spot during summer. When considering the annual NPP at bay scale, sea ice cover was the most important controlling factor. In scenarios with no sea ice in spring, the model predicted ∼30 % increase in annual production compared to a situation with high sea ice cover. Our study indicates that decreasing ice cover and more freshwater discharge can work synergistically and will likely increase primary productivity of the coastal ocean around Greenland.

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Journal article(s) based on this preprint

05 Apr 2023
The sensitivity of primary productivity in Disko Bay, a coastal Arctic ecosystem, to changes in freshwater discharge and sea ice cover
Eva Friis Møller, Asbjørn Christensen, Janus Larsen, Kenneth D. Mankoff, Mads Hvid Ribergaard, Mikael Sejr, Philip Wallhead, and Marie Maar
Ocean Sci., 19, 403–420, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-19-403-2023,https://doi.org/10.5194/os-19-403-2023, 2023
Short summary
Eva Friis Møller, Asbjørn Christensen, Janus Larsen, Kenneth David Mankoff, Mads Hvid Ribergaard, Mikael Kristian Sejr, Philip Wallhead, and Marie Maar

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2022-916', Anonymous Referee #1, 14 Nov 2022
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Eva Møller, 21 Dec 2022
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2022-916', Anonymous Referee #2, 16 Nov 2022
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Eva Møller, 21 Dec 2022

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2022-916', Anonymous Referee #1, 14 Nov 2022
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Eva Møller, 21 Dec 2022
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2022-916', Anonymous Referee #2, 16 Nov 2022
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Eva Møller, 21 Dec 2022

Peer review completion

AR: Author's response | RR: Referee report | ED: Editor decision | EF: Editorial file upload
AR by Eva Møller on behalf of the Authors (21 Dec 2022)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Referee Nomination & Report Request started (04 Jan 2023) by Ismael Hernández-Carrasco
RR by Anonymous Referee #2 (09 Jan 2023)
ED: Publish subject to minor revisions (review by editor) (23 Jan 2023) by Ismael Hernández-Carrasco
AR by Eva Møller on behalf of the Authors (02 Mar 2023)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Publish as is (05 Mar 2023) by Ismael Hernández-Carrasco
AR by Eva Møller on behalf of the Authors (07 Mar 2023)  Manuscript 

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

05 Apr 2023
The sensitivity of primary productivity in Disko Bay, a coastal Arctic ecosystem, to changes in freshwater discharge and sea ice cover
Eva Friis Møller, Asbjørn Christensen, Janus Larsen, Kenneth D. Mankoff, Mads Hvid Ribergaard, Mikael Sejr, Philip Wallhead, and Marie Maar
Ocean Sci., 19, 403–420, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-19-403-2023,https://doi.org/10.5194/os-19-403-2023, 2023
Short summary
Eva Friis Møller, Asbjørn Christensen, Janus Larsen, Kenneth David Mankoff, Mads Hvid Ribergaard, Mikael Kristian Sejr, Philip Wallhead, and Marie Maar
Eva Friis Møller, Asbjørn Christensen, Janus Larsen, Kenneth David Mankoff, Mads Hvid Ribergaard, Mikael Kristian Sejr, Philip Wallhead, and Marie Maar

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Latest update: 12 Sep 2024
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Short summary
Melt from the Greenland ice sheet and sea ice both influence light and nutrient availability in the Arctic coastal ocean. We use a 3D coupled hydrodynamic-biogeochemical model to evaluate the relative importance of these processes for timing, distribution and magnitude of phytoplankton production in Disko Bay, West Greenland. Our study indicates that decreasing sea ice and more freshwater discharge can work synergistically and increase primary productivity of the coastal ocean around Greenland.