Biological measurements program

The flux of organic carbon to the sediment was estimated using short-term moored sediment raps located 10 m and 95 m above the sediment surface. Sediment particles were obtained from these traps for gravimetric, elemental, and isotopic analyses. These analyses provide data about the total flux of material to the sediment and also the organic carbon and total nitrogen flux to the sediment. Two box cores were obtained which were used to provide: (1) pore water nutrient and dissolved free amino acid content; (2) down core profiles of organic carbon and nitrogen; (3) bacterial counts and growth rates; (4) down core meiofaunal biomass and sensitivities; (5) down core water content. Four primary productivity stations were made to determine the rate at which organic material is photosynthetically produced by phytoplankton in the waters surrounding the Nares Abyssal Plain study area. Zooplankton studies were also conducted during the cruise