Research on cryosestic communities in Svalbard: the snow algae of temporary snowfields in Petuniabukta, Central Svalbard

Although the observations of the colored snow in Svalbard are dated from 17 th century, the research in cryosestic algae during last 50 years was focused to NW part of Svalbard, Hornsund and Sveagruva areas. No observations have been reported for the Central or East Svalbard yet, with exception of Longyearbyen and Sveagruva areas. In Petuniabukta, two types of possible cryoseston habitats were recognized: 1) temporal snow fields that melt-away in summer completely, and 2) perennial glacier surfaces. During summer seasons 2009 - 2011, ten temporary snow field samples were sampled in the Petuniabukta area. The cryosestic communities did not cause visible snow coloration, however the presence of snow algae was revealed by light microscope. In samples, zygospores of Chlamydomonas cf. nivalis, were dominant. Other found species included Chlamydomonas nivalis, Chloromonas nivalis, Cryodactylon glaciale, and cf. Chainomonas sp. No motile stages of snow algae were observed. Due to low cell concentration and association of the cells with dust grains, wind transport of snow algae to the snow fields seems to be more possible than presence of a stable cryosestic community growing in situ.