Büttner, Stefan, Ivanov, V. V., Kassens, Heidemarie and Kusse-Tiuz, N. A. (2020) Distribution of suspended particulate matter in the Barents Sea in late winter 2019. Arctic and Antarctic Research (Problemy Arktiki i Antarktiki), 66 (3). pp. 267-278. DOI 10.30758/0555-2648-2020-66-3-267-278.

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Abstract

Arctic summer and winter sea-ice extent is continuously declining as a result of climate change, affecting the hydrography and biogeochemical cycles on the seasonally ice-free Eurasian Shelves. The prolongation of the open-water season causes higher sediment resuspension and coastal erosion due to larger wind fetch and wave heights. This impacts the optical properties of the water column and hence biological productivity in this region. During “Transarktika-2019” leg 1 in late winter 2019, a comprehensive dataset of and optical data was collected throughout the central and northern Barents Sea. Combining suspended particulate matter concentrations obtained from water samples and optical data revealed a pronounced bottom nepheloid layer on the Barents Sea shelf even under ice-covered conditions. Moreover, the data indicate that the Franz Viktoria Trough could be a major pathway for sediment transport into the Eurasian Basin. Therefore, to link changes in sediment distribution and its impact on the ecosystem under a warming climate, further studies of sediment dynamics are required, particularly during winter.

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