Metabolism and Ion Transport in the Arctic Amphipod Gammarus oceanicus

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Gammarid amphipods form an important trophic link between algae and meiofauna, and fishes, birds, and seals in high Arctic latitude environments. Their success may be attributed to physiological mechanisms that allow them to flourish under extreme cold temperatures and changing salinities induced by freezing and melting sea ice. The proposed research focuses on extraordinarily abundant Arctic amphipod that lives in the intertidal zone and under sea ice. Energy cost of osmoregulation will be examined by direct measurement of oxygen consumption in a graded series of salinities and temperatures. Physiological measurements will be complemented by determinations of activity of ion-transport protein: Na-K ATPase. In addition, the ultrastructure of gill membranes will be examined for changes in quantity of ion transport sites and structure as a function of salinity and temperature. The project will be done in collaboration with scientists from the University of Trondheim, and in cooperation with the Norwegian Polar Institute for Arctic Research. Norwegian scientists will be conducting parallel experiments on the response of internal sodium, potassium, chloride and free amino acids to changing salinity and temperature.