Summary

We determined the effects of UVR (280 – 400 nm) on Antarctic marine protists over the summer of 2001/02 in incubation experiments with light exposures of PAR, PAR+UVAR and PAR+UVAR+UVBR. We found few harmful effects of UVBR exposure in November and December when ozone concentrations ranged from 352 - 315 DU. However, UVBR significantly reduced chl a, POC and protist concentrations in January when the ozone fell below <300 DU. Concentrations of ozone around the Antarctic coastline are commonly <300 DU between January and April, coinciding with high protist biomass. Thus, ozone depletion in mid to late summer may significantly affect Antarctic marine productivity.

Authors:Thomson P.G. Davidson A.T. Cadman N. Published in: 2006 Category 3: Abstract Program area: Biology
Thomson P.G., Davidson A.T., Cadman N. (2006) Effects of ozone depletion on natural communities of Antarctic marine protists, Abstracts of the SCAR Open Science Conference, Hobart, 12-14 July 2006. 0016/402;

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