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Pan‐Arctic Distribution of Bioavailable Dissolved Organic Matter and Linkages With Productivity in Ocean Margins
Author(s) -
Shen Yuan,
Benner Ronald,
Kaiser Karl,
Fichot Cédric G.,
Whitledge Terry E.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1002/2017gl076647
Subject(s) - dissolved organic carbon , oceanography , arctic , environmental science , productivity , colored dissolved organic matter , bay , plankton , total organic carbon , ecosystem , organic matter , environmental chemistry , phytoplankton , geology , ecology , chemistry , nutrient , biology , economics , macroeconomics
Rapid environmental changes in the Arctic Ocean affect plankton productivity and the bioavailability of dissolved organic matter (DOM) that supports microbial food webs. We report concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and yields of amino acids (indicators of labile DOM) in surface waters across major Arctic margins. Concentrations of DOC and bioavailability of DOM showed large pan‐Arctic variability that corresponded to varying hydrological conditions and ecosystem productivity, respectively. Widespread hot spots of labile DOM were observed over productive inflow shelves (Chukchi and Barents Seas), in contrast to oligotrophic interior margins (Kara, Laptev, East Siberian, and Beaufort Seas). Amino acid yields in outflow gateways (Canadian Archipelago and Baffin Bay) indicated the prevalence of semilabile DOM in sea ice covered regions and sporadic production of labile DOM in ice‐free waters. Comparing these observations with surface circulation patterns indicated varying shelf subsidies of bioavailable DOM to Arctic deep basins.