03712nas a2200157 4500008004100000245021300041210006900254260001200323300001600335490000800351520308500359100002203444700002103466700002103487856004603508 2014 eng d00aThe permanent ice cover of Lake Bonney, Antarctica: The influence of thickness and sediment distribution on photosynthetically available radiation and chlorophyll-a distribution in the underlying water column0 apermanent ice cover of Lake Bonney Antarctica The influence of t c09/2014 a1879 - 18910 v1193 a

The thick permanent ice cover on the lakes of the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica, inhibits spatial lake sampling due to logistical constraints of penetrating the ice cover. To date most sampling of these lakes has been made at only a few sites with the assumption that there is a spatial homogeneity of the physical and biogeochemical properties of the ice cover and the water column at any given depth. To test this underlying assumption, an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) was deployed in Lake Bonney, Taylor Valley. Measurements were obtained over the course of 2 years in a 100 × 100 m horizontal sampling grid (at a 0.2 m vertical resolution). Additionally, the AUV measured the ice thickness (in water equivalent) and collected images looking up through the ice, which were used to quantify sediment distribution on the surface and within the ice. Satellite imagery was used to map sediment distribution on the surface of the ice. We present results of the spatial investigation of the sediment distribution on the ice cover and its effects on biological processes, with particular emphasis on photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). The surface sediment is a secondary controller of the ice cover thickness, which in turn controls the depth-integrated PAR in the water column. Our data revealed that depth-integrated PAR was negatively correlated with depth-integrated chlorophyll-a (r = 0.88, p < 0.001, n = 83), which appears to be related to short-term photoadaptation of phytoplanktonic communities to spatial and temporal variation in PAR within the water column.

1 aObryk, Maciek, K.1 aDoran, Peter, T.1 aPriscu, John, C. uhttp://doi.wiley.com/10.1002/2014JG002672