Our goal is the study of interactions between sea ice and ocean and of
their influence on planktonic communities. We use a physical model wh
ich includes explicitly melting dynamics and mixed-layer physics. A on
e-dimensional model of the water column with a k-l turbulent closure i
s applied. The sea-ice model is the one proposed by Semtner (1976); we
add a parameterization of leads. We enlighten the importance, in this
kind of model, of the sharing of the energy between lateral and basal
meltings. The biological model comprises two state variables: phytopl
ankton and zooplankton biomasses. Melting induces a persistent shallow
mixed layer and thus appropriate conditions for primary production. I
f ice melting is present, high biomasses are possible even with high l
osses. The absence of ice nearly forbids a massive bloom to form. Some
sensitivity studies have shown that grazing pressure is a key factor
governing the evolution of biomasses. The biomasses are also sensitive
to little modifications of the photosynthetic production. The initial
amount of phytoplankton or the presence of ice algae seems to be of l
esser importance.