Primary Productivity patterns in the Arctic: The 10 year SeaWiFS record

Victoria J Hill, Old Dominion University, vhill@odu.edu (Presenting)
Dick Zimmerman, Old Dominion University, rzimmerm@odu.edu
Patricia Matrai, Bigalow Labs, pmatrai@bigelow.org
Elise Olsen, Bigalow Labs, eolson@bigelow.org

Our aim was to study patterns of primary productivity in the Arctic Ocean using the 10 year satellite record available from SeaWiFs. A model based on biomass was applied to average monthly chlorophyll retrieved from satellite imagery. The annual productivity calculated in this way, in the surface layer of the ocean, ranged from 90 to 110 Tg C yr-1. Considerable interannual variation was observed, but there was no significant trend over the 10 year period. Open water area was the primary driver of variability in productivity. Analysis of functional regions reveals the Chukchi Sea to be the only region with a significant increasing trend in primary productivity over time. Future increases in open water area will impact the central basin, resulting in amplified productivity. However, productivity in shelf regions is currently nutrient, not light limited and therefore, is not expected to experience any further increases.