Halocarbon production by snow and ice algae. RiS ID 10435

This project aims to determine the role of snow and ice-bound algae in the production of halocarbons (hydrocarbon gases that contain a halogen such as bromine, iodine or chlorine), generating a comprehensive field data set via gas and biological field analyses. When released into the lower atmosphere, halocarbons can break down into their constituent halogens, which can then deplete ozone. By measuring trace gas concentrations released by snow and ice-bound algae, it will be determined if halocarbon release has the potential to significantly impact atmospheric ozone and if it could influence the interpretation of ice core records.