Pelagic diatom fluxes I : size fractioned time-series results from subarctic Pacific Station Papa during 1982-1983

Abstract

A time series vertical flux assessment of pelagic diatoms was conducted during September, 1982 through September, 1983 at subarctic Pacific Station PAPA (50°N, 145°W; water depth 4200 m) using PARFLUX sediment traps deployed at 1000 and 38000 m. The time series sediment trap samples were collected for 11 to 16-day periods during the year; a total of 24 samples represent a full year's record of flux. Eighteen taxonomic groups of diatoms were enumerated, based on a census of four wet-sieved size fractions: 250-1000μm, 125-250μm, 63-125μm, and < 63μm. In order to study the sinking processes of diatoms, detailed information on frustule integrity was acquired. For example , counts of single valves were separated from frustules. Size-fractioned fluxes of all the counting groups are graphically presented, which provides a data base for further investigations.