The Transpolar Drift Influence on the Arctic Ocean Silicon Cycle

During most of the year, diatom production in ice-covered Central Arctic Ocean (CAO) is limited by light availability and nutrient supply. Therefore, biological thought to be generally low, with higher at sea ice edge over partially ice-free shelf areas. The major surface ocean current CAO Transpolar Drift (TPD), which transports water from rivers shelves Laptev East Siberian Seas across toward Fram Strait, carrying high amounts terrestrial-derived material long distances. We used Si isotopes (δ30Si) better understand difference between lower areas how TPD potentially affects cycle CAO. Our data show low dissolved concentrations ([DSi]) paired values δ30Si-DSi all samples indicating fractionation diatoms. Specifically, outside influence, nutrients were depleted supply was due stratified conditions, thus preventing further phytoplankton growth area during sampling time late summer-early fall. In contrast, under primary nitrate strongly presence ice, even though [DSi] much than TPD. Based on δ30Si, we could identify but measurable DSi utilization TPD, highlighting importance ice-attached diatoms transported via for this region.