Archer Fiord Phytoplankton Measurements from 2023 Arctic Expedition

Water samples from four stations in Archer Fiord were analyzed for primary productivity, chlorophyll a, and phytoplankton taxonomy. These 2023 measurements establish a baseline for the unique, ice-rich Tuvaijuittuq ecosystem within the 5-year ArcticCORE program. The data supports research on productive capacity and ecosystem structure in Baffin Bay.

Use Cases

• Analyze chlorophyll a concentrations across four sampling stations to map primary productivity gradients in Archer Fiord.
• Compare phytoplankton taxonomy data to characterize species diversity and community structure in the Tuvaijuittuq refuge area.
• Use primary productivity and flow cytometry measurements to establish ecological baselines for future climate change comparisons.
• Correlate phytoplankton community data from upstream Archer Fiord with downstream fisheries management models for Baffin Bay.

Strengths

• Data originates from a targeted 2023 expedition under the multi-year ArcticCORE program led by Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
• Includes multiple analytical measurements per sample: primary productivity, chlorophyll a, flow cytometry, and detailed taxonomy.
• Focuses on the ecologically significant Tuvaijuittuq region, known for retaining the Arctic's oldest and thickest sea ice.

Limitations

• The dataset's complete size, row count, and specific column structure are not provided in the input.
• Spatial coverage is limited to four sampling stations within a single fiord system.
• As a 2023 snapshot, it represents a single temporal point within a longer-term monitoring program.

Provenance

Source

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Collection Method

Water collection and laboratory analysis for primary productivity, chlorophyll a, phytoplankton flow cytometry, and taxonomy.

Time Range

2023

Freshness

Last updated in March 2026, indicating potential post-processing or metadata revisions.

Geography

Archer Fiord, connected to Baffin Bay in the Tuvaijuittuq region of the eastern Arctic.