Major Environmental Concerns  

[ Land Degradation | Forests | Biodiversity | Marine and Ice | Ozone Depletion | Pollution | Population ]

Ice edges and associated waters are key areas of productivity in all regions of the Arctic (Smith and Sakshaug, 1990). Melting ice causes an increase in the stability of the water column, which allows phytoplankton to be retained (phytoplankton bloom) in a defined active photosynthetic layer at the ice edge (Marshall, 1957). Contaminants that accumulate on the sea ice surface are released to sea surface waters when the ice melts. Most melting and subsequent particle/contaminant release occurs in the marginal ice zone where biological activity is concentrated in surface waters. Fauna associated with the ice edge form an important pathway for contaminants to enter the food web between primary producers and fish, sea birds, and mammals (Futsaeter et al., 1991).

United Nations Environment Programme