Abstract 



Oceanographic stations occupied by USCGC GLACIER in the eartem 

 Chukchi Sea during 25 September-17 October 1970 revealed that currents 

 and the distributions of physical and chemical variables were strongly 

 influenced by the effects of wind and cooling. The effects of Alaskan 

 coastal runoff, melting of sea ice, freezing of sea ice, and bottom water 

 from the central Bering Strait were observed. Distributions of dissolved 

 nutrients showed horizontal gradients which may have been the result of 

 photosynthetic activity. Currents were strongly influenced by the north- 

 easterly winds and showed the expected northeastward set only on two 

 stations, when the winds were weak and variable. Currents near shore 

 between Cape Lisburne and Icy Cape were weak and variable, suggesting 

 the possibility of an eddy or pocket of slack water "downstream" from 

 Cape Lisburne. 



Geologic sampling was carried out in the same area, using a variety of 

 field techniques to define the sediment distribution pattern and particle 

 transport processes. Water turbidity, bottom sediments, current measure- 

 ments, and water mass data suggest that fine material is transported 

 northward from the Bering Strait through tho eastern Chukchi Sea to 

 the Arctic Ocean. Fine particulate matter moves near the bottom along the 

 eastern side of the trough between Herald Shoal and the Alaskan coast. 

 Over shallower portions of the shelf, convective overturn and wind mixing 

 circulate suspended material throughout the water column during the fall. 

 The coincident association of a muddy bottom with the zone of highest 

 turbidity indicates sedimentation from northward-flowing waters. The lack 

 of pebbles in these muds indicates that ice rafting is not, at present, an 

 important mode of sediment deposition here. Considerable interaction 

 between the benthos and bottom sediments is apparent. Materials pre- 

 sumed to be of both modern and relict or residual origin show negligible 

 current-produced sedimentary structures. Most turbation can be ascribed 

 to the benthic activity of various fauna consisting of pelecypods, am- 

 phipods, echinoids, worms, and Walrus. Geochemical studies show no evi- 

 dence of anomalous values of selected heavy metals or hydrocarbons. 



Pelagic bird and mammal observations in the eastern Chukchi Sea 

 during WEBSEC-70, September 22 to October 17, 1970, provide new fall 

 distributional and feeding information for the biologically little-knov*m 

 area from Point Barrow to Cape Lisburne. Additional observations were 

 made during a 1-day transect through the Bering Strait, October 18. 

 Throughout the cruise, a total of 36 species of birds and 7 species of 

 mammals was seen. Observations are presented on maps for most of the 

 species and these are compared in the text with previously published rec- 

 ords. Fall migration or post-breeding dispersal was still underway for 

 loons, Oldsquaw and eider ducks, gulls, alcids, and Walrus, but shear- 

 waters, fulmars, pond ducks, geese, phalaropes, jaegers, terns and Grey 

 Whales had either already left the area before cold weather, or did so early 

 in the cruise. Birds and Walrus were relatively abundant at sea with Ivory 

 and Ross' Gulls unexpectedly common. An observed vagrant Skua, prob- 



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