The Melting of the Greenland Ice Sheet and Its Impact on Coastal Biochemistry

Projektleder:
Lorenz Meire

Fakultet / Forskningsinstitution:
Naturvidenskab – Grønlands Naturinstitut

Titel:
The Melting of the Greenland Ice Sheet and Its Impact on Coastal Biochemistry 

Beskrivelse:
The overall goal of this research project is to better constrain and quantify the impact of glacial melt water on the highly productive marine ecosystems around Greenland. Here, we hypothesize that in contrast to land terminating glaciers, large marine termination glaciers are crucial in sustaining the high productivity of the Greenland fiords. Upwelling induces by sub glacial freshwater discharge and icebergs are important in supplying nutrients to the surface waters which sustains a high productivity. This high productivity is important for the high secondary production (zooplankton and fishery) which has been observed in Greenland fiords. To investigate this, hydro graphic surveys will be conducted in two fiord systems (Nuup Kangerlua and Ameralik) that are located in similar climatic region, but which are affected by land and marine terminating-glaciers. In this way, we will quantify the impact of glacial melt water and icebergs on factors that govern primary production (vertical mixing, light and nutrients). As such, this project will increase our understanding of the role of glaciers in the productivity of fiord systems ans how this productivity might be affected by climate change in the future.