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| Biogenic Silica Distribution in Chukchi Sea and Its Implications for Silicate Pump Process |
| WANG Bin1, ZHU Qing-mei1,3, ZHUANG Yan-pei1, JIN Hai-yan1,2, LI Hong-liang1, ZHANG Yang1, CHEN Jian-fang1 |
1. Lab of Ecosystem and Biogeochemistry, Second Institute of Oceanography, State Oceanic Administration, Hangzhou Zhejiang 310012, China;
2. State Key Lab of Satellite Ocean Environment Dynamics, Second Institute of Oceanography, State Oceanic Administration, Hangzhou Zhejiang 310012, China;
3. Key Laboratory for Coastal Ocean Variation and Disaster Prediction Technologies, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang Guangdong 524088, China |
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Abstract Biogenic silica content in marine surface sediments collected from three Chinese Arctic Research Expeditions in Chukchi Sea was determined with continuous alkaline extraction methods. The results showed that the content of biogenic silica in surface sediments was 1.23%~10.60%. Two high-content areas are located in the slope of the Chukchi Sea(72°N)and the northern part of the Bering Strait in southern Chukchi Sea where Anadyr Water and Eastern Siberian Coastal Water meets(68°N);Low content area is located in east Chukchi Sea influenced by Alaska Coastal Water, with biogenic silica content <3% or less. The main factors controlling the biogenic silica distribution patterns include the upper primary productivity, circulation patterns in Chukchi Sea(especially the Pacific water inflow into Chukchi Sea)and influence of sea ice. The existence of a good positive correlation between biogenic silica and organic carbon indicated the contribution of silicate pump in biological pump. Opal/organic carbon ratio(Sibio/Corg)in Chukchi Sea was varied from 1.6 to 2.02, the same magnitude as it was in North Pacific Ocean,indicating the high biological pump efficiency in Chukchi, especially for the large contribution of silicate pump, making the Chukchi Sea become one of the important global atmospheric CO2 sinks area.
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Received: 27 October 2015
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