Collaborative Research: EAGER: Impact of freshwater input and stratification on ecological and biogeochemical regimes from shelf to basin in the Siberian Arctic

Marine ecosystems in the Siberian Arctic are experiencing substantial changes to their environment based on ocean currents, freshwater inputs, and increased prevalence of contamination such as microplastics. Phytoplankton are the base of the food web of these ecosystems so changes in phytoplankton communities can lead to changes in higher trophic levels. This project will look at phytoplankton alongside physical conditions such as nutrients, temperature, salinity, and contaminants within the East Siberian and Laptev seas as part of the Nansen and Amundsen Basins Observational System cruise in fall 2025. Phytoplankton characteristics including who lives there and how healthy they are will be determined by using pictures and colors (pigments) collected from water samples. This project will inform on how continued changes in the Arctic Ocean will impact lower trophic species composition.