Particulate matter fluxes determined in the area of the NS Komsomolets wreck in different years

The sedimentation system of the bottom contour current over the continental slope of the Bear Island in the Norwegian Sea is considered. The nepheloid layer that provides high horizontal flux of sedimentary material represents the main source of matter for bottom sediments. Vertical particulate matter flux is largely formed in the nepheloid layer; flux from higher layers of the water column is insignificant. Horizontal and vertical fluxes of sedimentary matter show positive correlation. Matter flux from bottom sediment into the nepheloid layer and residence time of particles in the latter are estimated.

本研究以挪威海熊岛大陆坡海域的海底等深流（bottom contour current）沉积系统为研究对象。为沉积物提供高水平输运通量的悬沙层（nepheloid layer），是海底沉积物的主要物质来源。颗粒物质的垂直输运通量主要形成于悬沙层内，来自水体上层的通量贡献可忽略不计。沉积物的水平与垂直输运通量呈正相关关系。本研究还估算了海底沉积物向悬沙层的物质通量，以及颗粒在该层中的停留时间。