In the Baltic Sea ice, the spectral absorption coefficients for particulate matter (PM) were about two times higher at ultraviolet wavelengths than at photosynthetically available radiation (PAR) wavelengths. PM absorption spectra included significant absorption by mycosporine‐like amino acids (MAAs) between 320 and 345 nm. In the surface ice layer, the concentration of MAAs (1.37 µg L−1) was similar to that of chlorophyll a, resulting in a MAAs‐to‐chlorophyll a ratio as high as 0.65. Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) intensity and the ratio of UVR to PAR had a strong relationship with MAAs concentration (R2 = 0.97, n = 3) in the ice. In the surface ice layer, PM and especially MAAs dominated the absorption (absorption coefficient at 325 nm: 0.73 m−1). In the columnar ice layers, colored dissolved organic matter was the most significant absorber in the UVR (< 380 nm) (absorption coefficient at 325 nm: 1.5 m−1). Our measurements and modeling of UVR and PAR in Baltic Sea ice show that organic matter, both particulate and dissolved, influences the optical properties of sea ice and strongly modifies the UVR exposure of biological communities in and under snow‐free sea ice.

Sea-ice samples intended for biological analyses, e.g., chlorophyll-a, cell enumeration of algae and protozoa and primary production, are affected by the sampling and sample processing methods. In this study, we compared different sample processing methods by melting Baltic Sea ice samples in different ways (direct melting, buffered melting in filtered seawater (FSW) and buffered melting in artificial seawater at two different salinities with added nutrients) at two temperatures [?4°C and room temperature (RT)]. We show that sea-ice samples intended for most commonly used biological analyses can be melted without the addition of FSW. In particular, adding artificial seawater should be avoided. To minimize biological processes, such as growth, death, predation and pigment degradation, the melting should be done rapidly at RT preferably by gently shaking the sample to keep the melt cool.

In the Baltic Sea ice, the spectral absorption coefficients for particulate matter (PM) were about two times higher at ultraviolet wavelengths than at photosynthetically available radiation (PAR) wavelengths. PM absorption spectra included significant absorption by mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) between 320 and 345 nm. In the surface ice layer, the concentration of MAAs (1.37 μg L(-1)) was similar to that of chlorophyll a, resulting in a MAAs-to-chlorophyll a ratio as high as 0.65. Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) intensity and the ratio of UVR to PAR had a strong relationship with MAAs concentration (R(2) = 0.97, n = 3) in the ice. In the surface ice layer, PM and especially MAAs dominated the absorption (absorption coefficient at 325 nm: 0.73 m(-1)). In the columnar ice layers, colored dissolved organic matter was the most significant absorber in the UVR (< 380 nm) (absorption coefficient at 325 nm: 1.5 m(-1)). Our measurements and modeling of UVR and PAR in Baltic Sea ice show that organic matter, both particulate and dissolved, influences the optical properties of sea ice and strongly modifies the UVR exposure of biological communities in and under snow-free sea ice.

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ABSTRACT. Measurements of under-ice turbulence were performed using an acoustic threedimensional current meter with an attached fast-repetition temperature-conductivity sensor at two coastal areas in the Baltic Sea during two winters. Observations covered both the ice-growth and spring-melt periods. The objective of these measurements was to obtain knowledge of under-ice turbulence and oceanic heat and salt fluxes to and from the ice in the coastal fast-ice region using eddy correlation techniques. The maximum observed daily average heat flux was 1 W m -2 , and the maximum for 10 min periods was an order of magnitude larger. Under-ice turbulence was much smaller than that recorded in the oceans and in coastal regions with tide. These results provide better knowledge of under-ice turbulence and heat-flux variations and are useful for the future development of a Baltic Sea ice salinity model.

Bio-optics is a powerful approach for estimating photosynthesis rates, but has seldom been applied to sea ice, where measuring photosynthesis is a challenge. We measured absorption coefficients of chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM), algae, and non-algal particles along with solar radiation, albedo and transmittance at four sea-ice stations in the Gulf of Finland, Baltic Sea. This unique compilation of optical and biological data for Baltic Sea ice was used to build a radiative transfer model describing the light field and the light absorption by algae in 1-cm increments. The maximum quantum yields and photoadaptation of photosynthesis were determined from 14 C-incorporation in photosynthetic-irradiance experiments using melted ice. The quantum yields were applied to the radiative transfer model estimating the rate of photosynthesis based on incident solar irradiance measured at 1-min intervals. The calculated depth-integrated mean primary production was 5 mg C m-2 d-1 for the surface layer (0-20 cm ice depth) at Station 3 (fast ice) and 0.5 mg C m-2 d-1 for the bottom layer (20-57 cm ice depth). Additional calculations were performed for typical sea ice in the area in March using all ice types and a typical light spectrum, resulting in depth-integrated mean primary production rates of 34 and 5.6 mg C m-2 d-1 in surface ice and bottom ice, respectively. These calculated rates were compared to rates determined from 14 C incorporation experiments with melted ice incubated in situ. The rate of the calculated photosynthesis and the rates measured in situ at Station 3 were lower than those calculated by the bio-optical algorithm for typical conditions in March in the Gulf of Finland by the bio-optical algorithm. Nevertheless, our study shows the applicability of bio-optics for estimating the photosynthesis of sea-ice algae.

The stable oxygen isotopic composition (δ18O), texture and stratigraphy of landfast ice in Santala Bay, Gulf of Finland, were studied annually from 1999 to 2009. Apart from one year when there was no ice, maximum ice thickness ranged from 0.22 to 0.60 m. Maximum ice thickness was determined primarily by average air temperature, and a simple accumulated freezing-degree-day–ice-thickness model explained 86% of ice-thickness variance. the total ice thickness each winter was dominated by columnar ice and intermediate granular/columnar ice formed at the base of the ice cover. Meteoric ice (snow ice and superimposed ice) accumulated at the top of the ice cover each winter and constituted 4–39% of the total ice thickness (ice mass). Snow ice formed in seven of the ten winters; superimposed ice formed in only three winters. the snow fraction in the meteoric ice contributed 1–30% annually of the total ice mass, with an average of 8.8%.

Salt segregation and isotopic fractionation during sea-ice formation can be parameterized as a function of the ice growth rate. We performed a study to investigate if the salt segregation models derived for saline sea-ice studies are pertinent during the growth of Baltic Sea ice in brackish water. We used a time series of ice-salinity profiles and modeled growth rates to examine the relationship between effective salt segregation and growth rate. The results show that models derived for saline sea water are not directly applicable for use in the brackish waters of the Baltic Sea. We derived a simple model for the effective salt segregation in relation to ice growth rate, for a wide range of growth rates, pertinent for use in low-salinity Baltic Sea conditions and in the future development of a Baltic Sea ice salinity model.