Abstract:

The distributions and changes of dissolved organic carbon in the Prydz Bay and out open sea were investigated during CHINARE-15 (the 15th Chinese National Antarctic Research Expedition). The results showed that the content of DOC was higher in the Prydz Bay and outer open sea compared to those typical of surface oceanic levels (70- 80 μM), average content of DOC in the surface water was 102.32 μM, the range was 68.23- 125.92 μM. The vertical distribution of DOC in the water column was similar to many ocean sites, that is to say, the content of upper water is higher than deep water, a subsurface maximum persisted between 25- 50 m. The DOC pool in the Prydz Bay were consisted with labile, semi-labile and refractory pools, in which refractory pools was mainly part. The concentration of refractory DOC was 92.34 and 76.89 μM in Prydz Bay and outer open sea, and account 77% and 82% for total DOC, respectively.

Key words: distribution of DOC, Prydz Bay, Antarctic