The nature of particulate iron inputs in high Arctic fjord during the spring season

The Arctic is one of the most vulnerable regions experiencing the effects of Climate Change. Glacier melting together with permafrost thawing are predicted to increase the influx of particulate matter, together new organic and inorganic matter into the Arctic coastal ecosystem (McGuire et al., 2009). The effects of these inputs combined with the effects of Ocean Acidification are likely change the chemical nature (speciation) and therefore the bioavailability of both bioactive and potentially toxic trace elements. Among the trace metals, iron plays an essential role for marine microorganisms and its low concentrations make iron a limiting nutrient, hence controlling growth of marine microorganisms in ~30% of the world oceans. The Arctic ecosystem is not iron limited, yet the low concentrations and the lack of extensive data available, call for the revision of the relevance placed so far on this and other trace elements in the Arctic changing ecosystem. Svalbard, being a hub for Arctic research can constitute a platform for further investigations. In a previous study in Svalbard in Kongsfjorden (Zhang et al., 2015), the authors argued that glaciers may provide less bioavailable iron than it had been thought before and highlighted the need for sampling in a wider variety of glacial locations and conditions. For this reason the FeGlacial is focused on collecting more data on the matter and expanding the studied area. The seasonal sampling will in IsA station, that was established in December 2011 at UNIS in order to study seasonal variation and inter-annual variability within the marine ecosystem and potential climate change effects. Spatial distribution of iron will be analysed by collecting and studying samples from several stations in Billifjorden during summer. By sampling at Isa station and in Billefjorden we will receive spatial and seasonal dynamics of the iron influx in the area that will allow us to study the process more thoroughly.