Longer ice‐free conditions and increased run‐off from the ice sheet will impact primary production in Young Sound, Greenland
Maar, M.; Larsen, J.; Schourup-Kristensen, V.; Møller, E.F.; Winding, M.H.S.; Meire, L.; Sejr, M.K. (2025). Longer ice‐free conditions and increased run‐off from the ice sheet will impact primary production in Young Sound, Greenland. JGR: Biogeosciences 130(5): e2024JG008468. https://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2024jg008468
In: Journal of Geophysical Research-Biogeosciences. AMER GEOPHYSICAL UNION: Washington. ISSN 2169-8953; e-ISSN 2169-8961, more
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| Author keywords |
Greenland; climate change; fjord; light; primary production; sea ice cover |
| Authors | | Top |
- Maar, M.
- Larsen, J.
- Schourup-Kristensen, V.
- Møller, E.F.
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- Winding, M.H.S.
- Meire, L., more
- Sejr, M.K.
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| Abstract |
The Arctic coastal ocean is among the habitats most impacted by climate change due to the cumulative impact of several interacting drivers. The high-Arctic Young Sound in north-east Greenland is characterized by a short ice-free period (July–October). The system is influenced by high run-off, mainly from glacial meltwater during summer (June–September) affecting the turbidity. Our analysis showed that Young Sound has experienced a longer period without sea ice since 1950 due to global warming and increased run-off due to melting of the land-terminating glaciers. We applied a 3D ecosystem model for Young Sound to estimate present-day primary production and potential future change (25 and 50 years) in different scenarios of future sea ice-free periods and run-off. The light model was improved by including suspended particulate matter (SPM) released with the freshwater sources. A shorter period with sea ice coverage gave an increase of annual primary production due to a longer productive season in the model. Increased glacial run-off was found to decrease annual primary production due to more light attenuation from SPM. However, a spatial displacement of primary production was observed in the water column and between areas due to changes in light and nutrient availability. When longer ice-free periods and higher run-off were combined, primary production showed a modest increase overall except for areas with a deep productive layer suffering from stronger light limitation. The present study can contribute to a better understanding and generalization of future productivity of Greenland fjords. |
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