2. Sea Surface Microlaver. Water Column, and Bottom 

 Deposits 



Water samples will be collected in the surface microlayer 

 and at standard hy drological depths and at selected experimental 

 depths (e.g.. themiocline. pycnoline. phyto- and zooplankton 

 maxima, and sediment-water interface) (Zaitsev, 1980). 



a. In the surface microlayer. the following elements and 

 parameters will be determined: 



- organic carbon 



■ - contaminants (toxic metals, and aliphatic aromatic and 

 chlorinated hydrocarbons), the state of neustonic 

 communities; determination of the structural 

 characteristics of bacterioplankton; total numbers, 

 biomass of microorganisms, most probable numbers 

 (MPN) of indicator groups of bacteria (e.g., paraffin- 

 oxidizers, PCB-transforming and neurotrophic 

 saprophyte groups), and indices of phyto- and 

 zooneuston (numbers, biomass, species, size 

 composition, species mass, and indicator forms), 

 mutation (teratogenesis) of zooneuston organisms. 

 h. In the water column, the following parameters will be 

 determined: 



- water optical indices 



- contaminants (toxic metals, and aromatic, aliphatic, and 

 chlorinated hydrocarbons) 



- the total concentrations of organic carbon and its 

 composition 



- elements of the carbonate system (CO,, HCO„ CO,) 



- characteristics of bacterioplankton (total numbers, 

 biomass, MPN, and distribution of indicator groups) 

 and their biochemical and genetic capacities 



- structural characteristics of phyto-, microzoo-, and 

 mesozooplankton (numbers, biomass, size, and species 

 composition, species mass, and indicator forms) 



- functional characteristics of planktonic communities 

 (heterotrophic CO. assimilation by bacteria, bacterial 

 production, phytoplankton productivity) 



- biosedimentation rate of particulate matter. 



c. In the biota, the following parameters will be determined: 



- contaminants (toxic metals, and aromatic, chlorinated, 

 and aliphatic hydrocarbons 



- organic carbon content, stable carbon, and nitrogen 

 isotope content. 



(/. In bottom sediments, the following elements will be 

 determined: 



- determinants (toxic metals, and aromatic, chlorinated, 

 and aliphatic hydrocarbons 



- total organic carbon and nitrogen 



- stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes 



- structural characteristics of zoobenthos (numbers, 

 biomass. species composition, and species mass) 



3. Higher Trophic Levels 



During the expedition, zoological observations will be carried 

 out: numbers, distribution, and migratory patterns of fish, 

 birds, and marine mammals. 



4. Model Experiments 



Model experiments will be performed under conditions 

 similar to natural situations. During these experiments, the 

 following parameters will be studied: 



- photochemical oxidation of organic contaminants 



- biodegradation potential of bacterioplankton with 

 respect to organic contaminants (benzo( a )pyrene. PCB. 

 etc.) 



- combined influence of contaminants on biological 

 "targets'" and establishment of "critical" concentrations 

 of the impact on plankton communities in the conditions 

 of controlled ecosystems (Izrael, et ciL. 1988a) 



- sediment respiration and nutrient flux experiments. 



Connection with other International Programs 



The BERPAC Program has much in common with other 

 international programs, but at the same time it has its own 

 particular features mentioned earlier. Wide cooperation with 

 other similar international projects is built within the framework 

 of this program — in particular, in the preparation of joint 

 marine expeditions. Wide data exchange is also planned. 



Schedule of Activities and Applications of Results 



Since 1977, successful joint investigations of Soviet and 

 American scientists have been carried out in the Bering Sea 

 within the framework of the specific theme of the bilateral 

 cooperation "Bering Sea" (Project "Comprehensive 

 Environmental Analysis"; Suhproject "Comprehensive 

 Analysis of Marine Ecosystem State and Ecological Problems 

 of the World Ocean"). Important stages of this cooperation 

 were three joint ecological Soviet- American expeditions in the 

 Bering Sea on the RA' V()//(«( Summer. 1977 }dndRJ\' Akadcmlk 

 Korolev (Summer. 1984 and 1988). several symposia on the 

 preparation of scientific programs, and analyses of the results 

 of these expeditions, as well as three monographs 

 describing the results of long-term Soviet-American 

 investigations in the Bering Sea (Izrael & Tsyban. 1990; 

 Roscigno. 1990). It is expected that these expeditions will be 

 every four years and followed by international symposia and 

 joint publications. 



Monographs on the results of future expeditions will be 

 published. It is expected that seminars and symposia within the 

 framework of the BERPAC Program will be conducted. Also 

 included in the plans are special intercalibrations. a wide 

 exchange of specialists, and joint experimental work. 



