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Photosynthetic light requirement near the theoretical minimum detected in Arctic microalgae

Author

Listed:
  • Clara J. M. Hoppe

    (Alfred-Wegener-Institut—Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung)

  • Niels Fuchs

    (University of Hamburg)

  • Dirk Notz

    (University of Hamburg)

  • Philip Anderson

    (Scottish Association for Marine Science)

  • Philipp Assmy

    (Fram Centre)

  • Jørgen Berge

    (UiT The Arctic University of Norway)

  • Gunnar Bratbak

    (University of Bergen)

  • Gaël Guillou

    (Environment and Societies (CNRS—University of La Rochelle))

  • Alexandra Kraberg

    (Alfred-Wegener-Institut—Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung)

  • Aud Larsen

    (NORCE Norwegian Research Centre)

  • Benoit Lebreton

    (Environment and Societies (CNRS—University of La Rochelle))

  • Eva Leu

    (Akvaplan-niva)

  • Magnus Lucassen

    (Alfred-Wegener-Institut—Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung)

  • Oliver Müller

    (University of Bergen)

  • Laurent Oziel

    (Alfred-Wegener-Institut—Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung)

  • Björn Rost

    (Alfred-Wegener-Institut—Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung
    University Bremen)

  • Bernhard Schartmüller

    (UiT The Arctic University of Norway)

  • Anders Torstensson

    (Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    Community Planning Services—Oceanography)

  • Jonas Wloka

    (Independent Researcher)

Abstract

Photosynthesis is one of the most important biological processes on Earth, providing the main source of bioavailable energy, carbon, and oxygen via the use of sunlight. Despite this importance, the minimum light level sustaining photosynthesis and net growth of primary producers in the global ocean is still unknown. Here, we present measurements from the MOSAiC field campaign in the central Arctic Ocean that reveal the resumption of photosynthetic growth and algal biomass buildup under the ice pack at a daily average irradiance of not more than 0.04 ± 0.02 µmol photons m−2 s−1 in late March. This is at least one order of magnitude lower than previous estimates (0.3–5 µmol photons m−2 s−1) and near the theoretical minimum light requirement of photosynthesis (0.01 µmol photons m−2 s−1). Our findings are based on measurements of the temporal development of the under-ice light field and concurrent measurements of both chlorophyll a concentrations and potential net primary production underneath the sea ice at 86 °N. Such low light requirements suggest that euphotic zones where photosynthesis can occur in the world’s oceans may extend further in depth and time, with major implications for global productivity estimates.

Suggested Citation

  • Clara J. M. Hoppe & Niels Fuchs & Dirk Notz & Philip Anderson & Philipp Assmy & Jørgen Berge & Gunnar Bratbak & Gaël Guillou & Alexandra Kraberg & Aud Larsen & Benoit Lebreton & Eva Leu & Magnus Lucas, 2024. "Photosynthetic light requirement near the theoretical minimum detected in Arctic microalgae," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-10, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-51636-8
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-51636-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Mathieu Ardyna & Kevin Robert Arrigo, 2020. "Phytoplankton dynamics in a changing Arctic Ocean," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 10(10), pages 892-903, October.
    2. L. Oziel & A. Baudena & M. Ardyna & P. Massicotte & A. Randelhoff & J.-B. Sallée & R. B. Ingvaldsen & E. Devred & M. Babin, 2020. "Faster Atlantic currents drive poleward expansion of temperate phytoplankton in the Arctic Ocean," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-8, December.
    3. Michael J. Behrenfeld & Robert T. O’Malley & Emmanuel S. Boss & Toby K. Westberry & Jason R. Graff & Kimberly H. Halsey & Allen J. Milligan & David A. Siegel & Matthew B. Brown, 2016. "Revaluating ocean warming impacts on global phytoplankton," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 6(3), pages 323-330, March.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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