Turnover of trophic markers and lipid carbon in distinct Arctic marine food webs, RIS ID 6668

In a context of sea ice decrease in the Arctic, this PhD project focuses on a combination of field and laboratory investigations to improve the understanding of the basic lipid metabolism and physiological adaptations of distinct Arctic food webs. One of the main focuses of this project is the unique food chain phytoplankton - Limacina helicina - Clione limacina and their ability to adapt their current life history strategies and physiology to a changing Arctic. In this case, due to its very sensitive ar agonite shell, Limacina helicina will be very vulnerable, when the pH-value will decrease. Moreover the monophagous pteropod Clione limacina, feeding exclusively on L. helicina, will probably lose its prey and therefore not survive the entire global chang es. We aim to ultimately arrive at an improved understanding of the basic lipid metabolism and physiological adaptations of these Arctic key species.