TABLE 2 



The rates of bacterial production and organic matter 

 destruction in the water column of the Chukchi Sea. summer 1988. 



activity was found in the central basin of the Chukchi Sea 

 ( Fig. 3; Subchapter 4.2.1. this volume ). In coastal waters of the 

 Chukchi, rates of bacterioplankton production and organic 

 matter destmction averaged 2-3 times higher than the rates of 

 production and organic matter destruction in Alaskan Coastal 

 waters. 



The daily rate of bacterial production averaged 

 26.8 ng C/1 or 1.1 g C/m-; bacteria respiration rate was 

 86.4 ]Xg C/i or 1.3 g C/m-; P/B coefficient was 1.3. A low 

 microflora activity was observed in coastal areas of Alaska. 

 Diurnal rates of bacterial production averaged 0.3 g C/m-, 

 respiration rate 1 .0 g C/m', and P/B coefficient was the lowest, 

 0.5," measured in the region. 



Although the rates of bacterial production and organic 

 matter destruction varied in the water column, microflora 

 activity and organic matter destruction gradually increased 

 from surface layers towards the bottom of the water column. 



Bactenal 

 production 

 (I5g C/m- 



i\ 



DcLomposition 

 of organic matter 

 per l.Og C/rrr 

 Station number 



P 



Jl:^ 



iCIU 



{? 



CHUKCHI \ 



PENINSULA 





Fig. 3, Bacterial production and decomposition of organic matter in ttie 0.5 

 to 45 m layer of the Chukchi Sea, summer 1988. 



In the northern Chukchi Sea, rates of bacterial production in 

 layer 25^5 m were 1.7 times higher than rates measured in 

 water layer 0.5-25 m. Total production of bacterial biomassin 

 bottom waters averaged 27.8 |ig C/l/d, while in euphotic waters 

 production was 20 |ig C/l/d. 



In conclusion, the study of microflora and microbiological 

 processes in the Chukchi Sea allowed us to identify specific 

 features of formation and function of microbiocenoses in this 

 Arctic Sea. In addition, the activity of microflora and rates of 

 bacterial production was determined and the role of 

 bacterioplankton assessed in the transformation of organic 

 matter. The results showed that the rates of bacterial production 

 and organic matter destruction in the Chukchi Sea equaled rates 

 in mesotrophic waters. 



78 



