Sedimentary particle fluxes in the Kara Sea and in the Ob and Yenisey estuaries were first estimated and particulate matter composition was studied in September 1993 during Cruise 49 of R/V Dmitry Mendeleev. Twenty three bottom stations with sediment traps were deployed, and samples were collected from 13 stations. Particle fluxes ranged from 9.0 to 62.6 mg/m2/day to the north of the Ob and Yenisey estuaries and were 18.7 to 62.0 mg/m2/day in the southwestern part of the Kara Sea. Fluxes were up to 1321 mg/m2/day in the Ob estuary and up to 22156 mg/m2/day in the Yenisey estuary. Organic matter fluxes were estimated as 0.71-3.29, 4.28-9.04, 26.7, and 368 mg/m**2/day, respectively. Particulate matter is largely represented by pellets of planktic Crustacea and by "sea snow" flakes mainly composed of diatoms. Rapidly settling particles are extensively inhabited by bacterial flora.
Supplement to: Lisitzin, Alexander P; Shevchenko, Vladimir P; Vinogradov, Mikhail E; Severina, Olga V; Vavilova, Valentina V; Mitskevich, Irina N (1995): Particle fluxes in the Kara Sea and Ob and Yenisey estuaries. Oceanology, 34(5), 683-693