Sea Ice Microbial Communities in AntarcticaThese communities may provide an important food resource in deep-water pelagic systems

TLDR: The role and importance of sea ice microbial communities in the Antarctic marine ecosystem and the physical and chemical attributes of their habitat have been studied for several decades as discussed by the authors, but fundamental questions about their role remain, including whether these communities represent a significant food source for benthic or pelagic food webs in ice-covered oceans.

Abstract: ccounts of early naturalists first suggested the richness of Antarctic waters. Along with observations of abundant stocks of great whales, seals, and seabirds came reports of sea ice floes stained and discolored by algae. Although sea ice microbial communities (SIMCOs) have been observed and studied for several decades, fundamental questions about their role remain. Do these communities represent a significant food source for benthic or pelagic food webs in ice-covered oceans? If so, what factors contribute to their productivity? Studies of SIMCOs in the landfast ice at McMurdo Sound and in the pack ice region of the Weddell Sea are part of an ongoing effort to understand the role and importance of sea ice communities in the Antarctic marine ecosystem and the physical and chemical attributes of their habitat.