Siliceous micro- and nanoplankton fluxes over the Northwind Ridge and their relationship to environmental conditions in the western Arctic Ocean

Siliceous planktons are valuable indicators of the environmental conditions in both modern and past marine settings. However, contrast to diatoms radiolarians, other siliceous micro- nanoplankton Arctic Ocean have been rarely explored. In this study, silicoflagellates, endoskeletal dinoflagellate Actiniscus pentasterias chrysophyte cysts were investigated one-year mooring sediment trap material (from August 2008 September 2009) collected Northwind Ridge, western Ocean. The silicoflagellate assemblage was dominated by Stephanocha speculum, accounting for > 71% total composition. While S. speculum overwhelmingly abundant summer, medianoctisol octonaria more frequent during winter. export fluxes A. did not show clear seasonal pattern except a peak value 2009. We suggest that high flux reflects nutrient rich environment at sea ice edge rather than cold under conditions. High recorded summer 2009 peaking late July early August, ~10 times higher 2008. Peak melting occurred simultaneously. addition, observed encystment might be triggered population density, hence indicating favorable phytoplankton blooming. These provides information on but requires further investigations consolidate knowledge robust use paleoceanography.