9318772 Stoecker Flagellated microalgae that exist in brine pools within land- fast sea-ice in McMurdo Sound, Antarctica, will be investigated. The research focuses on the growth and life history of the dominant cysts-forming brine microalgae. Oceanographers envisioned that cysts of brine microalgae may be important paleoenvironmental indicators of past global climates. Dr. Stoecker plans both field and laboratory experiments to evaluate the physiological growth responses of flagellated microalgae and cyst formation to changes in temperature, salinity, inorganic nutrients and irradiance. The presence of brine microalgal cysts from sea-ice will also be assessed in the water column and sediments under annual sea-ice. This research will provide significant biological information on the interaction of brine microalgae in land-fast ice and underlying marine sediments. ***
