Glossary

Inorganic chemical compounds that algae ingest in large quantities and require in order to produce biomass.

In glaciology, the difference between a body of ice’s mass gain and mass loss is referred to as its mass balance.

Autonomous measuring system that uses acoustic methods to determine sea-ice and snow thickness.

Every summer, the snow cover on Arctic sea ice melts completely, leaving behind ponds of meltwater.

This global “conveyor belt” redistributes massive amounts of heat, salt, nutrients and gases among all oceans.

Gaseous hydrocarbon.

A type of electromagnetic wave.

An extensive underwater mountain range that can in some cases include individual islands above sea level.

Model used to explain the occurrence of glacial and interglacial periods by means of quasi-periodic variations in Earth’s orbit, which result in changed exposure to solar radiation.

Single-celled or multicellular eukaryotic lifeform (microorganism) that can use a mix of organic / inorganic sources of carbon, i.e., can also use photosynthesis.

Mixotrophs are those organisms that can use a mix of organic / inorganic sources of carbon, i.e., can also use photosynthesis.

Regulates the consumption and production of chemicals containing chlorine or bromine, which can destroy stratospheric ozone.

Old ice that is at least two metres thick and has survived at least two summers.