The biological consequences of increased ultraviolet (UV) radiation reaching the Earth's surface due to the Antarctic Ozone Hole has recently been documented. Based on direct in situ measurements of ultraviolet radiation and primary productivity, it was estimated that ozone-related damage to phytoplankton resulted in a minimum of six to twelve per cent reduction in primary productivity within the marginal ice zone of the Southern Ocean. This project will further examine this topic by developing a space and time climatology of incident and penetrating spectral irradiance for the Southern Ocean. Also, the magnitude and kinetics of UV dependent production of organic carbon and UV photodamage will be determined. The data will be examined in the context of a bio-optical model of primary productivity. Results will contribute significantly to abilities to predict changes within phytoplankton communities experiencing enhanced UV radiation and provide an empirical basis for developing models attempting to assess the consequences for higher trophic levels in the Antarctic food web.
