Low 210Pb in the upper thermocline in the Canadian Basin: scavenge process over the Chukchi Sea

210Pb was measured during the 3rd Chinese National Arctic Research Expedition cruise to investigate its spatial pattern in the western Arctic Ocean, as well as its relation with the thermocline in the Canadian Basin. The specific activities varied from 0.04 to 2.72, 0.013 to 4.37, and 0.1 to 4.85 Bq/m3 for dissolved, particulate, and bulk 210Pb, respectively, corresponding to respective averages of 0.65, 0.43, and 1.08 Bq/m3. In the Canadian Basin, the minimum 210Pb activities occurred in the thermocline, which was characterized by low temperature of-1.52°C and salinity of 33.1. Combining the spatial distribution of 210Pb and hydrographical characteristics in the western Arctic Ocean, this scenario was ascribed to the effective scavenging of 210Pb when the Pacific water flowed across the Chukchi Shelf. Quantitatively, this interpretation was supported by both the shorter residence times and higher scavenging efficiencies(SE) of dissolved 210Pb over the Chukchi Shelf. The highest SE values were observed in the Herald Shoal and bottom waters over the slope.     

南极普里兹湾及其邻近海域表层水镭同位素的分布及应用

中国第27次南极科学考察期间(2010年12月30日至2011年1月16日),对普里兹湾及其邻近海域表层海水进行了226Ra和228Ra的分析,结果表明:226Ra和228Ra比活度的变化范围分别为1.47—2.43Bq/m3和0.17—0.45Bq/m3,平均值分别为2.13Bq/m3和0.29Bq/m3,228Ra/226Ra)A.R.(228Ra与226Ra的活度比)的变化范围为0.08—0.20,平均值为0.14。根据盐度和226Ra的质量平衡方程,计算出研究海域表层水中冰融水、南极夏季表层水和普里兹湾中深层水的份额。研究海域表层水中温度、盐度、226Ra、228Ra、228Ra/226Ra)A.R.和冰融水份额的空间分布显示,在埃默里冰架前沿海域,西侧海域较东侧海域具有低温、高盐、高226Ra、低228Ra、低228Ra/226Ra)A.R.、低冰融水份额的特征,证实埃默里冰架下水体东进西出的运动规律。根据埃默里冰架前沿东、西侧水体228Ra/226Ra)A.R.的差异,估算出埃默里冰架下表层水体东进西出所经历的时间为1.85a。此外,在普里兹湾湾口中部海域(66.5—67.5°S,72°—74°E),观察到次表层水的上升通风作用,该区域较高的228Ra含量和228Ra/226Ra)A.R.证明这些表层水体并非来自湾外绕极深层水的上涌,而可能来自湾内埃默里冰架输出水体。     

大洋表层水中~(226)Ra的分布

采用碳酸盐富集－EDTA纯化－Ba（Ra）SO4制源－α计数法，测定了我国第13,14 次南极科学考察期间，从西太平洋、南大西洋和东印度洋采集的 16个表层水样中的226 Ra比活度。测定结果表明，表层水中溶解态226Ra的比活度范围：西太平洋为 0．46──0．95Bq·m－3，平均值为 0．66Bq·m-3；东印度洋为0．5 6──1．2 7 Bq·m-3，平均值为0．81 Bq·m-3；南大西洋为1．17──1．63Bq·m－3，平均值为 1．45 Bq·m－3。还测定了上述海域 5个表层水样中颗粒态226Ra比活度为0.006──0．030Bq·m－3，颗粒态226Ra很低，只占溶解态的1．0％──2．6％，说明226Ra主要以溶解态形式存在于上述洋区。测定结果还表明，52°S以南离南极较近的测站226Ra比活度较高，特别是 60°Ｓ以南的南大洋海域，226Ra比活度更高，与其他作者的测定结果一致。     

2008年夏季西北冰洋观测区叶绿素a和初级生产力粒级结构

对2008年夏季在西北冰洋172°～143.6°W的楚科奇海及其北部海区对粒度分级叶绿素a和初级生产力现场观测资料,对观测区的空间分布特征进行了研究.结果表明,观测海区表层叶绿素a浓度为0.013～19.367 μg/dm3,平均值为0.677士2.2661 μg/dm3,次表层水叶绿素a浓度高于其它水层.水柱叶绿素a...     

北黄海水体的^224 Ra

用锰纤维富集-射气法测量了北黄海水体的^224 Ra，研究了该海域夏季和冬季2个季节^224 Ra比活度及其垂直分布，并对其进行了比较研究．北黄海夏季^224 Ra 比活度为0．24—3．48Bq／m2，平均值为1．14Bq／m2；冬季^224 Ra比活度为0．37～6．68Bq／m2，平均值为0．94Bq／m2．北黄海的表层水有3个^224 Ra 高值区，分别位于东北部海域、渤海海峡南部和北黄海中北部海区．30m水深将^224 Ra比活度的垂直分布分成上层和下层2层．在0～30m水层，夏季，随着水深增加^224 Ra比活度逐渐增加，比活度变化较小；冬季部分站位由表层向下^224 Ra比活度逐渐降低．30m水深以下，^224 Ra比活度随着水深的增加而增加，而且变化幅度较大．由^224 Ra比活度的垂直分布得出该海域的垂直涡动扩散系数为2．5～43．5cm2／s，夏季北黄海冷水团中心海域底层溶解态化学物质输运补给到上层所经历的时间为9～15d左右．     

白令海表层营养盐水平输送的镭-228示踪

对白令海表层海水228Ra的分析表明,白令海表层海水228Ra比活度从低于检测限变化至0.81 Bq/m3,低于西北冰洋陆架区的报道值。表层水228Ra比活度和228Ra/226Ra)_A.R.的空间分布均呈现由西南部中心海盆向东北部陆架区增加的趋势。由228Ra/226Ra)_A.R.和盐度的关系揭示出白令海环流、白令海陆坡流和阿拉斯加沿岸流对228Ra和228Ra/226Ra)_A.R.分布有明显影响。运用一维稳态扩散模型计算出白令海由中心海盆向东北部陆架方向上水体混合的水平涡动扩散系数为1.9×108 m2/d。结合海盆-陆架界面营养盐的水平浓度梯度,估算得硝酸盐、活性磷酸盐和活性硅酸盐由白令海中心海盆向东北部陆架区的水平输送通量,该通量对白令海东北部陆架区新生产力的贡献很小,其他途径输送的营养盐更为重要。     

Regional estimates of POC export flux derived from thorium-234 in the western Arctic Ocean

1Introduction CarboncyclingintheArcticOceanplaysanim- portantroletoglobalchange.Traditionally,marine productivityintheArcticOceanisthoughttobevery low,andthussomebiogeochemicalprocessessuchas particleexportandcyclingofnutrientsarenotsoac- tivebecauseofthembeingcoveredperenniallybyice, lowtemperatureandshorttimeofphotosynthesis (PlattandRao,1975).Afewpreviousestimatesof particulateorganiccarbon(POC)exportindicateda neglectablemagnitudeinthecentralArcticOcean (Baconetal.,1989).However,recen…     

应用镭-226解读南极普里兹湾表层水的来源与运移

中国第22次南极科学考察航次(2005年12月至2006年1月)期间,利用Mn-纤维富集大体积表层海水中的Ra同位素,并通过222Rn直接射气法测量226Ra的比活度,结果表明,普里兹湾表层水的226Ra比活度变化为0.92~2.09 Bq/m3,平均值为1.61 Bq/m3,在深海区域表现出226Ra含量高的特征。从空间分布看,表层水226Ra比活度呈现出由湾内向湾外增加的反常态势,反映出不同Ra含量水团的混合影响2。26Ra比活度与盐度的关系证实研究海域表层水的Ra含量主要受三种端元水体的混合所控制:其一为具有镭含量高、盐度高特征的南极夏季表层水;其二为低镭、低盐特征的冰融水;其三为高盐、中等镭含量的普里兹湾中深层水,该水体的226Ra纯粹由海底沉积物间隙水向上扩散所维持。结合S-226Ra示踪体系及上述三端元混合模型,计算出各组成水体的比例并描绘出它们的空间分布。南极夏季表层水的份额由湾外向湾内逐渐降低,并且在68°E断面向南影响范围较大;冰融水的比例由湾内向湾外降低,并且在湾内东部的高温水体中具有最大贡献;普里兹湾中深层水中受沉积物镭来源影响比较显著的区域出现在湾内西北部,其影响向湾外逐渐降低。冰融水与普里兹湾中深层水份额分别于普里兹湾湾顶东、西部出现高值的分布特征证实埃默里冰架前沿海流东进、西出的运移规律。     

Western Arctic primary productivity regulated by shelf-break warm eddies

The response of phytoplankton to the Beaufort shelf-break eddies in the western Arctic Ocean is examined using the eddy-resolving coupled sea ice–ocean model including a lower-trophic marine ecosystem formulation. The regional model driven by the reanalysis 2003 atmospheric forcing from March to November captures the major spatial and temporal features of phytoplankton bloom following summertime sea ice retreat in the shallow Chukchi shelf and Barrow Canyon. The shelf-break warm eddies spawned north of the Barrow Canyon initially transport the Chukchi shelf water with high primary productivity toward the Canada Basin interior. In the eddy-developing period, the anti-cyclonic rotational flow along the outer edge of each eddy moving offshore occasionally traps the shelf water. The primary production inside the warm eddies is maintained by internal dynamics in the eddy-maturity period. In particular, the surface central area of an anti-cyclonic eddy acquires adequate light, nutrient, and warm environment for photosynthetic activity partly attributed to turbulent mixing with underlying nutrient-rich water. The simulated biogeochemical properties with the dominance of small-size phytoplankton inside the warm eddies are consistent with the observational findings in the western Arctic Ocean. It is also suggested that the light limitation before autumn sea ice freezing shuts down the primary production in the shelf-break eddies in spite of nutrient recovery. These results indicate that the time lag between the phytoplankton bloom in the shelf region following the summertime sea ice retreat and the eddy generation along the Beaufort shelf break is an important index to determine biological regimes in the Canada Basin.     

2008年夏季加拿大海盆永久冰区的淡水累积现象

A combination of δ~(18)O and salinity data was employed to explore the freshwater balance in the Canada Basin in summer 2008.The Arctic river water and Pacific river water were quantitatively distinguished by using different saline end-members.The fractions of total river water,including the Arctic and Pacific river water,were high in the upper 50 m and decreased with depth as well as increasing latitude.In contrast,the fraction of Pacific river water increased gradually with depth but decreased toward north.The inventory of total river water in the Canada Basin was higher than other arctic seas,indicating that Canada Basin was a main storage region for river water in the Arctic Ocean.The fraction of Arctic river water was higher than Pacific river water in the upper 50 m while the opposite was true below 50 m.As a result,the inventories of Pacific river water were higher than those of Arctic river water,demonstrating that the Pacific inflow through the Bering Strait is the main source of freshwater in the Canada Basin.Both the river water and sea-ice melted water in the permanent ice zone were more abundant than those in the region with sea-ice just melted.The fractions of total river water,Arctic river water,Pacific river water increased northward to the north of 82°N,indicating an additional source of river water in the permanent ice zone of the northern Canada Basin.A possible reason for the extra river water in the permanent ice zone is the lateral advection of shelf waters by the Trans-Polar Drift.The penetration depth of sea-ice melted waters was less than 30 m in the southern Canada Basin,while it extended to 125 m in the northern Canada Basin.The inventory of seaice melted water suggested that sea-ice melted waters were also accumulated in the permanent ice zone,attributing to the trap of earlier melted waters in the permanent ice zone via the Beaufort Gyre.     

北黄海水体的226Ra和228Ra

用锰纤维富集-射气法测定了北黄海海水中的镭同位素226Ra和228Ra,研究了该海域水体中镭同位素的含量和分布.研究结果表明北黄海水体夏季226Ra的比活度为1.80～4.35 Bq/m3,平均值为3.06 Bq/m3;冬季226Ra的比活度为2.08～5.20 Bq/m3,平均值为3.28 Bq/m3.北黄海夏季228Ra的比活度为3.85～25.60 Bq/m3,平均值为10.60 Bq/m3;冬季228Ra的比活度为3.14～15.60Bq/m3,平均值为7.66 Bq/m3.该数据范围和中国近海其他海域、孟加拉湾、泰国昭披耶河口、濑户内海等海域相近.北黄海东北部海域,渤海海峡靠近山东半岛的海区和中北部海区表层镭同位素活度较高.C1断面镭同位素的分布特征从镭同位素的方面证实了渤海海峡水交换表现为北进南出特征这一结论的正确性.226Ra和228Ra的垂直分布较为复杂,大部分站位呈现出底层活度变高的趋势,其他少数站位呈现出中间层活度高的分布特征,不同来源的镭同位素输入至该海域形成了这样的分布特征.     

白令海和西北冰洋表层沉积物磁化率特征初步研究

为了准确解释环境磁学参数记录的极地古气候环境变化信息,本研究对白令海和西北冰洋61个站位的表层沉积物进行了高、低频质量磁化率(χ)、非磁滞磁化率(χARM)和磁化率-温度(k-T)分析,以探明该区沉积物中磁性矿物的种类、来源与搬运路径。结果显示,样品的χ具有明显的地域分布特征。白令海的χ值整体高于楚科奇海,并在育空河口外侧和圣劳伦斯岛南侧较高,向北和向西南方向逐渐减小。楚科奇海中东部陆架上表层沉积χ值高于阿拉斯加沿岸,而西北冰洋深海平原和洋脊区的χ值最低。χARM的变化趋势与质量磁化率相似,但频率磁化率的变化趋势与质量磁化率正好相反。k-T分析结果显示阿留申海盆沉积物中的铁磁性矿物以磁赤铁矿占主导,白令海陆架育空河口外侧和圣劳伦斯岛南北两侧为磁铁矿,白令海陆架西部和楚科奇海陆架中东部为磁赤铁矿和磁铁矿,楚科奇海阿拉斯加沿岸为黄铁矿,而西北冰洋陆坡、深海平原和洋脊区为胶黄铁矿和黄铁矿,但高纬度区沉积物中的胶黄铁矿含量更高。沉积物中磁性矿物的区域性分布受沉积物来源、洋流和底质环境等因素的控制。白令海和楚科奇海陆架磁赤铁矿来源于亚洲大陆,白令海陆架东部的磁铁矿来自育空河流域,阿拉斯加沿岸沉积物中的黄铁矿,应为阿拉斯加西北部陆源侵蚀来源的或早期成岩作用形成的,西北冰洋深海盆区的胶黄铁矿,为自生成因的。     

Evaluation of shelf–basin interaction in the western Arctic by use of short-lived radium isotopes: The importance of mesoscale processes

Shelf–basin exchange in the western Arctic was evaluated by use of water-column analyses of ²²⁸Ra/²²⁶Ra ratios and the first measurements of the short-lived ²²⁴Ra (T_1/2=3.64 d) in the Arctic. During the 2002 shelf–basin interaction (SBI) program, excess ²²⁴Ra was detected over the shelf but was not found seaward of the shelf-break. Similarly, the ²²⁸Ra/²²⁶Ra ratio dropped rapidly from the shelf across the shelf-break. Consequently, the model age gradient (elapsed time since shelf residence) northward across the Chukchi Shelf increased from 1–5 years nearshore to approximately 14 years in surface waters sampled off shelf at the southern margin of the Beaufort Gyre. This steep gradient is consistent with very slow exchange between the Chukchi Shelf and the Beaufort Gyre, whereby Bering Strait inflow is constrained by the Earth's rotation to follow local isobaths and does not easily move into deeper water. The strong dynamic control inhibiting water that enters the system through Bering Strait from flowing north across isobaths also would lead to a long recirculation time of river water emptied into the Beaufort Gyre. Possible mechanisms that can generate cross-shelf currents that break the topographic constraint to follow isobaths, and thereby transport water (and associated properties) off the shelves include wind-induced upwelling/downwelling, meandering jets, and eddies. Evidence of such a process was found during the ICEX project in the Beaufort Sea in April 2003 when excess ²²⁴Ra was measured over 200 km from any shelf source. This required an NE offshore flow of 40 cm s⁻¹ assuming that the source water derives from the mouth of Barrow Canyon. A weak northeastward flow was measured using an LADCP within the upper 300 m of the ocean, but was of lower speed than required by the ²²⁴Ra_xs at the time of the ICEX occupation.     

Glimpses of Arctic Ocean shelf–basin interaction from submarine-borne radium sampling

Evidence of shelf-water transfer from temperature, salinity, and ²²⁸Ra/²²⁶Ra sampling from the nuclear submarine USS L. Mendel Rivers SCICEX cruise in October, 2000 demonstrates the heterogeneity of the Arctic Ocean with respect to halocline ventilation. This likely reflects both time-dependent events on the shelves and the variety of dispersal mechanisms within the ocean, including boundary currents and eddies, at least one of which was sampled in this work. Halocline waters at the 132 m sampling depth in the interior Eurasian Basin are generally not well connected to the shelves, consonant with their ventilation within the deep basins, rather than on the shelves. In the western Arctic, steep gradients in ²²⁸Ra/²²⁶Ra ratio and age since shelf contact are consistent with very slow exchange between the Chukchi shelf and the interior Beaufort Gyre. These are the first radium measurements from a nuclear submarine.     

Dissolved aluminium and the silicon cycle in the Arctic Ocean

Concentrations of dissolved (0.2 µm filtered) aluminium (Al) have been determined for the first time in the Eurasian part of the Arctic Ocean over the entire water column during expedition ARK XXII/2 aboard R.V. Polarstern (2007). An unprecedented number of 666 samples was analysed for 44 stations along 5 ocean transects. Dissolved Al in surface layer water (SLW) was very low, close to 1 nM, with lowest SLW concentrations towards the Canadian part of the Arctic Ocean and higher values adjacent to and in the shelf seas. The low SLW concentrations indicate no or little influence from aeolian dust input. Dissolved Al showed a nutrient-type increase with depth up to 28 nM, but large differences existed between the different deep Arctic basins. The differences in concentrations of Al between water masses and basins could largely be related to the different origins of the water masses. In the SLW and intermediate water layers, Atlantic and Pacific inflows were of importance. Deep shelf convection appeared to influence the Al distribution in the deep Eurasian Basin. The Al distribution of the deep Makarov Basin provides evidence for Eurasian Basin water inflow into the deep Makarov Basin. A strong correlation between Al and Silicon (Si) was observed in all basins. This correlation and the nutrient-like profile indicate a strong biological influence on the cycling and distribution of Al. The biological influence can be direct by the incorporation of Al in biogenic silica, indirect by preferential scavenging of Al onto biogenic siliceous particles, or by a combination of both processes. From the slope of the overall Al–Si relationship in the intermediate water layer (AIDW; ~ 200–2000 m depth), an Al/Si ratio of 2.2 atoms Al per 1000 atoms Si was derived. This ratio is consistent with the range of previously reported Al/Si uptake ratio in biogenic opal frustules of diatoms. In the deepest waters (>2000 m depth) a steeper slope of the Al–Si relationship of 7.4 to 13 atoms Al per 1000 atoms Si likely results from entrainment of cold shelf water into the deep basins, carrying the signal of dissolution of terrigenous particles with a much higher Al:Si ratio of crustal abundance. Only a small enrichment with such crustal Al and Si component may readily account for the higher Al:Si slope in the deepest waters.     

Vertical double silicate maxima in the sea-ice reduction region of the western Arctic Ocean: Implications for an enhanced biological pump due to sea-ice reduction

The R/V Mirai conducted hydrographic surveys in the western Arctic Ocean during summer 2004 (Mirai04) over wide east-west ranges from Alaska to eastern Siberia, where sea-ice cover has been greatly reduced in recent summers. The obtained data reveal differences in silicate profiles between shelf slope areas east and west of the Chukchi Plateau, the ridge that divides the Canada Basin into the Alaskan and east Siberian sides. East of the plateau, a single silicate maximum was found in a layer of Pacific-origin winter water, as examined in many previous studies. In contrast, west of the plateau, we found vertical double silicate maxima, which are reported for the first time in this study. The shallower silicate maximum corresponded to an N** minimum, signaling denitrification at the shelf bottom. This suggests that the shallower silicate maximum was caused by the spreading of shelf water. In contrast, the deeper silicate maximum corresponded to an oxygen minimum and a maximum silicate/phosphate ratio (Si/P), suggesting that this deeper maximum resulted from the decomposition of opal-shelled organisms. We also compared a silicate profile from Mirai04 to aprofile from the Arctic Ocean Section 94 (AOS94) expedition of 1994, a heavy ice year. The results suggest that sea-ice loss has enhanced biological activities, likely resulting in the appearance of the deeper silicate maximum.     

西北冰洋表层沉积物中生源和陆源粗组分及其沉积环境

通过中国第1至第3次北极科学考察在北冰洋西部所采集的99个表层沉积物中生源与陆源粗组分的分析,研究了该海域表层生产力的变化,有机质来源以及陆源粗颗粒物质的输入方式和影响因素.研究区域生源组分所反映的表层生产力变化与通过白令海峡进入楚科奇海的3股太平洋洋流密切相关.楚科奇海西侧高盐高营养盐的阿纳德尔流流经区域,表层生产力...     

白令海及西北冰洋有机质来源与新鲜程度的脂肪酸指示

白令海、西北冰洋等高生产力海域在北冰洋“生物泵”中起到重要作用；海水升温、海冰消退等北极快速变化，将强烈影响该海域“生物泵”的结构与规模，并在沉积物中有机质的来源与新鲜程度上有所体现，可用脂肪酸加以指征。对第五次、第六次中国北极科学考察在以上海域采集的表层沉积物进行脂肪酸含量（以沉积物干重计）及组成分析，结果显示楚科奇海陆架总脂肪酸含量非常高((97.15± 55.31) μg/g)，白令海盆最低((15.00±1.30) μg/g)，加拿大海盆、楚科奇海陆坡、白令海陆架居中(分别为(88.65 ± 3.52) μg/g，(70.35±11.32) μg/g与(38.28±14.89) μg/g)。海源脂肪酸占总脂肪酸比例最高(86.82%±7.08%)，陆源次之(8.45%±6.62%)，细菌最低(4.63%±2.24%)；硅藻指数(16:1ω9/16:0)在楚科奇海陆架(> 0.82)、白令海陆架边缘(> 0.65)较高，其他区域均较低。脂肪酸结果表明:(1) 该海域沉积有机质主要来自海源，陆源贡献小；在北部、南部楚科奇海陆架、白令海陆架边缘，硅藻生物量占主要优势；细菌脂肪酸比例显著低于温暖海域，指示低温抑制细菌活动。(2) 楚科奇海陆架区硅藻生产力高、细菌活动弱，新鲜有机质沉降效率高，但对未来海水升温、浮游植物群落变化也较为敏感。(3) 加拿大海盆、楚科奇海陆坡的浮游植物群落由绿藻与金藻主导。以上结论说明脂肪酸可指示表层沉积物中有机质的来源与新鲜程度；未来，脂肪酸有望进一步揭示北冰洋“生物泵”对北极快速变化的响应。     

北冰洋西部表层沉积物中生源组分及其古海洋学意义

通过对中国首次和第二次北极科学考察在北冰洋西部所采取的66个表层沉积物中生源组分的分析,探讨了该海区表层生产力变化与水团的相互关系。楚科奇海西南部呈现出高的有机碳和生源蛋白石含量,而中部和东部哈罗德浅滩至阿拉斯加沿岸,以及楚科奇海台、北风脊和加拿大海盆表现出低的有机碳和生源蛋白石含量。楚科奇海陆架区表层沉积物以底栖有孔虫为主,丰度低;而楚科奇海台、北风脊和加拿大海盆则以浮游有孔虫占绝对优势,丰度较高。生源组分的分布特征显然与通过白令海峡进入楚科奇海的三股太平洋水和大西洋次表层水相关。楚科奇海西侧沿富营养的阿纳德尔流方向的区域呈现出高的表层生产力。而东侧受寡营养的阿拉斯加沿岸流及阿拉斯加西北沿岸陆源物质输入的影响,呈现出低的表层生产力。北纬75°以北及加拿大海盆受海冰覆盖影响,也表现出最低的表层生产力。而受北大西洋次表层水的影响,楚科奇海陆架外侧高纬海域表现出较高的钙质生物生产力。表层沉积物中Corg/N比值及其分布反映楚科奇海表层沉积物中的有机碳以海洋自身来源为主,且主要受生物泵过程控制。有机碳和生源蛋白石含量呈现高的正相关关系,说明硅藻等浮游植物的初级生产力可能控制着生物泵对碳的吸收和释放。     

Seasonal trends in the abundance, composition and bioavailability of particulate and dissolved organic matter in the Chukchi/Beaufort Seas and western Canada Basin

The objectives of this study were to investigate the seasonality, abundance, sources and bioreactivity of organic matter in the water column of the western Arctic Ocean. The concentrations of particulate and dissolved amino acids and amino sugars, as well as bulk properties of particulate and dissolved organic matter (DOM), were measured in shelf, slope and basin waters collected during the spring and summer of 2002. Particulate organic matter concentrations in shelf waters increased by a factor of 10 between spring and summer. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and nitrogen (DON) concentrations exhibited only minor seasonal variations, whereas dissolved amino acid concentrations doubled between spring and summer, and dissolved amino sugars increased by 31% in shelf waters of the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas. Concentrations of DOC did not exhibit a significant seasonal change in surface waters of the Canada Basin, but dissolved amino acid concentrations increased by 45% between spring and summer. No significant seasonal differences were detected in the concentration or composition of DOM in waters below 100 m in depth. Concentrations of particulate and dissolved amino acids and amino sugars were strongly correlated with chlorophyll-a, indicating a plankton source of freshly produced organic matter. The amino acid and amino sugar compositions of freshly produced DOM indicated that a large portion of this material is bioavailable. While freshly produced DOM was found to be relatively bioreactive, preformed DOM in the Arctic appears to be less bioreactive but similar in degradation state to average DOM in the Atlantic and Pacific. These data demonstrate substantial summer production of POM and DOM on the Chukchi and Beaufort shelves that is available for utilization in shelf waters and export to the Canada Basin.