Airborne Lidar Observations of a Spring Phytoplankton Bloom in the Western Arctic Ocean

One of the most notable effects climate change is decrease in sea ice Arctic Ocean. This expected to affect distribution phytoplankton as retreats earlier. We were interested vertical and horizontal Chukchi Sea May. Measurements made with an airborne profiling lidar that allowed us cover large areas. The profiles showed a uniform attenuation scattering from surface limit penetration at depth about 30 m. Both parameters greater open water than under ice. Depolarization decreased increased. A cluster analysis 2019 data revealed four distinct clusters based on depolarization ratio. was associated water, one pack ice, waters along land-fast appeared be scattered throughout region. first three likely result different assemblages phytoplankton, while last may have been artifact thin fog atmosphere.