What question did this study set out to answer?

This research aims to evaluate the impact of hydrographic properties on phytoplankton fatty acid profiles in the Canadian Arctic.

January 25, 2026Open Access

Phytoplankton fatty acid proportions in the Canadian Arctic are strongly affected by temperature, salinity, and phosphate in late summer.

Key Points

This research aims to evaluate the impact of hydrographic properties on phytoplankton fatty acid profiles in the Canadian Arctic.
Phytoplankton samples collected from Canadian Arctic in 2019 and 2021.
Clustering regions based on hydrographic properties.
Comparative analysis of lipid and fatty acid profiles across clusters.
MUFA proportions were lower in warmer, deep water regions compared to lower salinity areas in 2019.
In 2021, Σω3% and PUFA levels were significantly higher in Baffin Bay than in lower salinity regions.
DHA/EPA levels negatively correlated with phosphate concentrations across both years.

Abstract

Phytoplankton form the base of the food web and act as the main source of both energy, and ω3 essential fatty acids in marine ecosystems. In the Arctic, the effects of climate change are exacerbated compared to lower latitudes. Expected shifts in phytoplankton growth due to climate change in the Arctic are dependent on water physicochemistry, especially temperature, salinity, and nutrient concentrations. The goal of this investigation was to, 1) assess which Canadian Arctic (CA) regions were significantly different based on biomarkers of phytoplankton condition and community assemblage, and 2) identify which hydrographic properties and dissolved inorganic nutrient concentrations correlated with those biomarkers. Phytoplankton samples were collected from the CA in 2019 (July-September) and 2021 (August-October). CA regions were clustered based on similar hydrographic properties, and then lipid and FA profiles were compared. In 2019, there was variation in monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) proportions: cluster groups in very deep water, with higher temperature and lower oxygen saturation (Davis Strait stations) were significantly lower compared to cluster groups defined by lower salinity and light transmission (East Barrow Strait and Lancaster Sound stations) in both surface (p = 0.001) and sub-surface chlorophyll maximum waters (SCM)(p = 0.008). In 2021, a year with more expansive coverage of the CA compared to 2019, Σω3% and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) were significantly higher in cluster groups containing Baffin Bay stations compared to the clusters defined by lower salinity (Beaufort Sea and the Canadian Arctic Archipelago stations) in both surface (p < 0.001) and SCM waters (p < 0.001). Across both years and both SCM and surface waters, DHA/EPA (two ω3 essential fatty acids) negatively correlated with phosphate. Overall, FA proportions in the CA are strongly affected by physiochemical conditions in late summer with MUFA responding mainly to physical changes, while PUFA responded heavily to phosphate changes.

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