The rate of ocean-driven retreat of Greenland’s tidewater glaciers remains highly uncertain in predictions of future sea level rise, in part due to poorly constrained glacier-adjacent water properties. Icebergs and their meltwater contributions are likely important modifiers of fjord water properties, yet their effect is poorly understood. Here, we use a 3-D ocean circulation model, coupled to ...

Phenotypic polymorphism is a commonly observed phenomenon in nature, but extremely rare in free-living stages of parasites. We describe a unique case of somatic polymorphism in conspecific cercariae of the bird schistosome Trichobilharzia sp. “peregra”, in which two morphs, conspicuously different in their size, were released from a single Radix balthica snail. A detailed morphometric analysis ...

With the Arctic rapidly changing, the needs to observe, understand, and model the changes are essential. To support these needs, an annual cycle of observations of atmospheric properties, processes, and interactions were made while drifting with the sea ice across the central Arctic during the Multidisciplinary drifting Observatory for the Study of Arctic Climate (MOSAiC) expedition from October ...

Arctic cod (Boreogadus saida) strongly dominates the ichthyoplankton assemblages of High Arctic seas, hence competition with other native species seldom has been studied. Yet, interspecific competition could negatively impact the survival of early life stages of fishes in Arctic areas where higher diversity prevails. We surveyed the ichthyoplankton community of the Greenland Sea, in August–September ...

There has been a considerable number of reports on Hg concentrations in Arctic mammals since the last Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP) effort to review biological effects of the exposure to mercury (Hg) in Arctic biota in 2010 and 2018. Here, we provide an update on the state of the knowledge of health risk associated with Hg concentrations in Arctic marine and terrestrial mammal ...

The coastal domain of the Arctic is in rapid change with shifts in discharge phenology and catchment characteristics. Riverine discharge shapes hydrography, under water light climate, and nutrient dynamics during the brief melt season. Nutrients transported from catchment to coast can stimulate primary productivity, yet light attenuation caused by high surface turbidity is considered a limiting ...

Abstract Through the last centuries it has become high disturbances and interventions in natural areas, which has forced wildlife to interact with humans. This has led to human-wildlife conflicts (HWC), where animals have become a threat to peoples’ safety or livelihood. These conflicts have often ended with species becoming endangered or extinct globally, including Norway. There are small populations ...

Studying movement patterns of individual animals over time can give insight into how they interact with the environment and optimize their foraging strategies. Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) undertake long seasonal migrations between feeding areas in polar regions during summer/early winter and breeding areas in more tropical areas during late winter/spring. The Norwegian Sea is a part of ...

The post-weaning fast of hooded seal pups (Cystophora cristata) is not well understood. What energy sources are being used? How is water balance maintained? How are these mechanisms balanced with thermoregulation? This study aims to answer some questions on the physiological mechanisms in place to assist an Arctic seal pup in the early stages of their life with no source of food or freshwater. ...

Hooded seals (Cystophora cristata) are marine mammals and are characterised as an “Arctic seal” species due to their close association to the pack ice. Their relationship with the ice and water creates challenges in maintaining an internal body temperature of ~37°C. In homeothermic animals, like the hooded seal, shivering is used for thermogenesis, however this can rapidly fatigue skeletal muscle. ...