An arctic climate such as northern Scandinavia is characterized by cold and long winters, and short and cool summers. Precipitation is generally in the snow form and annual precipitation for these regions is less than 20 inches. Temperature has a major influence on aquatic life in these regions. Temperature decreases in the winter and as sea ice solidifies, the amount of pore pace within the ice is reduced and the salinity increases. Organisms must be adapted to prevent the growth of ice crystals in their bodies. Organisms are also adapted to the ice melting and forming. For example, in the spring light becomes available for photosynthesis and ice algae develops. Organic material accumulates and as ice melts, the material is released and fuels
