Material fluxes from the Russian Rivers Ob and Yenisey

Data collection efforts in the Russian Arctic have been severely reduced over the previous decade at a time when field data are especially needed to detect the impacts of climate changes. The Ob and Yenisey are among the largest rivers that flow into the Arctic, supplying essential nutrients, contaminants, DOC and other reactive elements to the adjacent marginal seas. We are investigating the spatial extent to which the Ob and Yenisey material discharges influence the adjacent coastal ecosystems and its impact on the Arctic Ocean. Two field cruises carried out in cooperation with Russian institutes were conducted in 2003 and 2004 to collect data on biogeochemically significant constituents (nutrients, chla, DOC, humics), optical properties (PAR, UV) and contaminants (Hg, HCHs, PCBs, DDTs). Satellite ocean color images (SeaWIFS, MERIS, MODIS) are being used to elucidate the relationship between DOC and UV regimes. Contaminant sources and delivery processes, uptake into the food web, and the role of biota in contaminant transformation are being identified. The study will help toward identifying key features and differences in the structure and function of Arctic rivers and their relationship to the large-scale operation of the Arctic as a whole. Financed by the Norwegian Research Council Cooperation Programme with Russia: Project to the University of Oslo, Department of Biology, Material fluxes from the Russian Rivers Ob and Yenisey: Interactions with climate and effects on Arctic Seas.

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