Macro-Nutrient Stoichiometry of Glacier Algae From the Southwestern Margin of the Greenland Ice Sheet

Glacier algae residing within the surface ice of glaciers and sheets play globally significant roles in biogeochemical cycling, albedo feedbacks, melt world’s cryosphere. Here, we present an assessment macro-nutrient stoichiometry glacier algal assemblages from southwestern Greenland Ice Sheet (GrIS) margin, where widespread blooms proliferate during summer seasons. Samples taken mid-2019 ablation season revealed overall lower cellular carbon (C), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) content than predicted by standard microalgal content:biovolume relationships, elevated C:N C:P ratios all cases, with estimated C:N:P 1,997:73:1. We interpret to reflect adaptation their characteristic oligotrophic environment. Such requirements would aid proliferation across nutrient poor cryosphere a warming world. Up-scaling our observations indicated potential for accumulate ∼ 29 kg C km 2 1.2 N marginal location mid-ablation period (early August), confirming previous modeling estimates. While long-term fate autochthonous production remains unconstrained, data presented here provide insight into possible quality dissolved organic matter that may be released