POSTER Session 2

SPATIAL CHANGES IN SUMMER IN SITU PRIMARY PRODUCTION IN SPITSBERGEN FJORDS OVER THE PERIOD 1994-2019

We present comprehensive results of primary production (PP) studies within the Spitsbergen fjords, over 25 years (1994-2019), across 45 stations and 348 incubation levels at various depths. Primary production and hydrological parameters were measured at 28 sampling stations in Kongsfjorden and 17 in Hornsund, with the locations of “Glacier”, “Inner”, and “Outer” zones defined to reflect the varying influence of glacial meltwater. The highest PP values were observed in the Glacier and Inner zones of Hornsund, particularly in the water layer up to 3 meters depth, exceeding 20 mgC m-3h-1. A notable decline in PP with increasing depth was observed in both fjords, with the Glacier zones displaying the highest productivity at the surface. The study also highlights the influence of glacial meltwater on surface water conditions, affecting the PP in the upper layers of both fjords. The observed gradient in the depth of maximum primary production toward the mouth of the fjord varied between the two fjords, with Kongsfjord displaying more dynamic variations. The spatial distribution of integrated primary production (Pi) suggested lower productivity in the glacial regions, likely due to light limitation caused by high concentrations of mineral particulate matter. The values of Pi were considerably higher in Hornsund, approximately twice as high overall, with specific emphasis on the Glacier and Inner zones where Pi values were about 6.5 times and 2.5 times higher, respectively, compared to those observed in Kongsfjord.

Joanna Stoń-Egiert, Institute of Oceanology Polish Academy of Sciences, Poland, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4274-8979

Katarzyna Dragańska-Deja, Institute of Oceanology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poland, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5869-3167

Józef Wiktor, Institute of Oceanology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poland, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2344-0047

Mirosława Ostrowska, Institute of Oceanology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poland, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3738-3565

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