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Drilling through an ice floe for ice algae in the Bering Sea.

Drilling through an ice floe for ice algae in the Bering Sea.
Drilling through an ice floe for ice algae in the Bering Sea.
Drilling through an ice floe for ice algae in the Bering Sea.
Drilling through an ice floe for ice algae in the Bering Sea.
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348156
Linder, Christopher L.
Drilling through an ice floe for ice algae in the Bering Sea.
Still Image
04/12/2009
graphics/PD5_dailys/cl_20090412115449.jpg
Caption from Polar Discovery: Katrin Iken went out to the ice again, this time in a small boat. Unlike childhood when getting candy is a big deal, "when you're an adult, chocolate is no longer a limiting factor," she says. "Now, ice algae is a limiting factor." This year the Easter Bunny gave her ice algae, although he made her work for it. She had to drill five feet through the ice floe.
Image of The Day caption:
In an April 2009 polar expedition, 41 scientists led by WHOI biologist Carin Ashjian set off on the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy to examine how climate change might be affecting the delicately balanced ecosystem of the Bering Sea. Spring is when the ice begins to melt and break up, allowing the sun to penetrate open water and provide energy for photosynthetic marine plants to fluorish. This sets the whole ecosystem in motion. On this particular day, researchers drill five feet through the ice floe to reach and sample algae growing beneath and inside the ice. Other WHOI personnel on the expedition included technician Philip Alatalo and research associate and photographer Chris Linder.
Photo by Chris Linder
© Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
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