New evaluation of species‐specific biogenic silica flux of radiolarians (Rhizaria) in the western Arctic Ocean using microfocus X‐ray computed tomography

We studied time-series fluxes of radiolarian particles collected by two sediment traps deployed at the eastern (Sta. NAP12t) and western CAP12t) sides Chukchi Borderland in Sea from 04 October 2012 to 18 September 2013. In order elucidate contribution skeletons biogenic silica flux, a three-dimensional (3D) imaging technique using microfocus X-ray computed tomography (MXCT) was applied siliceous skeletons. calculated volumes individual accurately 3D model them, thereby estimating mass for each species. The abundance were combined with transformed estimate silica. As result, we found that main carrier Arctic Ocean represented only species; is, Amphimelissa setosa (averages: 55.2 wt% Sta. NAP12t, 70.8 Spongotrochus glacialis 36.7 23.2 CAP12t). total flux usually higher side than Borderland. less 10 general during sampling duration, but occasionally reached 19.6–34.8 open water season. This suggests not diatoms also radiolarians make significant driving cycle Ocean.