Influence of winds and oceanographic conditions on the mucilage aggregation in the Northern Adriatic Sea in 2003–2006

Meteorological and oceanographic conditions in the Northern Adriatic Sea in a year notable for massive mucilage formation (2004) were compared with those in years where this phenomenon did not occur (2003, 2005 and 2006) to suggest possible links. The months preceding the mucilage event in 2004 were considered the ‘incubation period’ and were characterized by a strong freshet in May which increased the water column stability. Winter cooling and scarcity of freshwater inputs from the Po River triggered the dense water formation and intrusion in the northern basin. Weak southeasterly winds and an increase in surface seawater temperatures contributed to maintain and reinforce the water column stability, and at the same time an intense diatom spring bloom created the conditions for accumulation of organic matter. The interplay of climatological forcings and biological processes caused temporal variations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and particulate organic carbon (POC) in the basin, with POC playing an important role in the aggregation process, as suggested by its increase relative to DOC before massive mucilage formation. We therefore suggest that high POC/total particulate nitrogen ratios in the suspended particulate organic fraction, a steep increase of POC/Chlorphyll a, and the decreased DOC/POC ratios represent ‘early warning’ signals of the main processes that lead to mucilage events in the Northern Adriatic Sea.     

The humin structure of mucilage aggregates in the Adriatic and Tyrrhenian seas: hypothesis about the reasonable causes of mucilage formation

Sixteen mucilages sampled in the Adriatic and Tyrrhenian seas during 1999–2001 were characterised using spectroscopic [Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR); colorimetric], chromatographic [thin-layer chromatography (TLC)], and elemental analysis techniques. Most samples contained comparable fractions of organic and inorganic compounds, with the exception of a few samples where the inorganic fraction was greater than the organic fraction. Carbohydrates were important in the samples rich in organic matter, while carbonate and silica (quartz and biogenic silica) were the most important constituents of the inorganic fraction. Carbonate and silica were the only important constituents of the samples with a very low organic content.According to chemical analyses, mucilage aggregates show the typical structure of humin—the insoluble fraction of the humic substance. Classification of mucilage samples as humin-like compounds, together with a reexamination of the factors involved in the formation of organic aggregates in marine environment, has led to the formulation of a reasonable hypothesis for mucilage formation.     

黄东海沉积物中的还原无机硫

Cold diffusion methods are used to separate and quantify the three reduced inorganic sulfur species into acid volatile sulfide(AVS), pyrite–S and element sulfur(ES) in the sediments of the Yellow and East China Seas. The results show that up to 25.02 μmol/g of AVS, 113.1 μmol/g of pyrite–S and 44.4 μmol/g of ES are observed in the sediments of the Yellow Sea and East China Sea. Pyrite–S is the predominant sulfide mineral in the sediments, while the concentration of AVS is quite low at most stations in the study area. The amounts and reactivity of organic matter are the primary limited factor for the sulfide formation, while an iron limitation and a sulfate limitation are not observed in the sediments of the Yellow Sea and East China Sea. The irregular profiles of the three reduced inorganic sulfur species also reflected the comprehensive influence of sediment composition and sedimentation rates.     

Heterotrophic bacteria in the northern Adriatic Sea: seasonal changes and ectoenzyme profile

A seasonal study of the quantitative and qualitative distribution of heterotrophic bacterial community was carried out in the Adriatic Sea between April 1995 and January 1996, in order to evaluate its spatial and temporal variability and metabolic potential in the degradation processes of organic matter. The culturable bacteria (CFU) ranged between 0.1 and 22% of total bacterioplankton with a maximum percentage in surface samples of coastal zones. Their distribution was generally affected by the prevailing hydrological conditions. At the coastal stations about 44-75% of CFU variance could be explained by river runoff. The changes in the composition of heterotrophic bacterial community showed a seasonal succession of main bacterial groups, with a prevalence of Gram negative, non fermenting bacteria in the cold period (April-January) and an increase of Vibrionaccae and pigmented bacteria in summer. The seasonal variations were more important at the stations influenced by rivers than offshore. The bacterial community showed a greater versatility for organic polymers hydrolysis in the offshore station than in the coastal areas. Over 60% of all isolated heterotrophic bacteria expressed peptidase, lipase and phosphatase ectoenzymes activities, in all seasons and showed an increasing trend in warm period (in July October). The alpha- and beta-glucosidase potentials of bacteria were lower (20% on average) and showed different pattern during the year. These results suggest different role of the bacterial community in the decomposition of organic matter in the Adriatic Sea. Since only 20% of bacterial strains expressed glucosidase activity, carbohydrate-rich polymers such as mucilage might accumulate.     

Study of macroaggregate composition using FT-IR and 1H-NMR spectroscopy

Mucous macroaggregates, recently observed in the northern Adriatic in summer of 1997 and late spring of 2000, are primarily the product of phytoplankton (diatom) exudates during favourable environmental conditions in late spring, and can be viewed as macrogels. The FT-IR and ¹H-NMR spectra of macroaggregate samples from the northern Adriatic, collected in different formation stages in July 1997, August 1997, September 1997 and June 2000, as well as of cultured diatom Skeletonema costatum, showed that they are similar and composed of aliphatic components and polysaccharides bonded through carboxylic and amide groups, and organosilicon compounds. The stability of macrogels of macroaggregates is, according to FT-IR and X-ray analyses, most probably enhanced by interactions with entrapped particles of calcite, quartz and clay minerals. These organic-mineral associations seem to be important for mucous phenomena. According to ¹H-NMR spectra, the temporal differences in macroaggregate composition show a relative increasing percentage of organosilicon compounds and aliphatic components bonded to carbohydrates through ester and amide groups, and an increasing ratio between aliphatic structures and carbohydrates. This indicates that aliphatic chains bonded to Si and carbohydrates may contribute to the persistence and stability of macroaggregates in the summer stratified waters in the northern Adriatic, while the temporal decrease of carbohydrate content is most probably due to microbial and photochemical degradation of algal reserve polysaccharides.     

Study of macroaggregate composition using FT-IR and H-NMR spectroscopy

Mucous macroaggregates, recently observed in the northern Adriatic in summer of 1997 and late spring of 2000, are primarily the product of phytoplankton (diatom) exudates during favourable environmental conditions in late spring, and can be viewed as macrogels. The FT-IR and ¹H-NMR spectra of macroaggregate samples from the northern Adriatic, collected in different formation stages in July 1997, August 1997, September 1997 and June 2000, as well as of cultured diatom Skeletonema costatum, showed that they are similar and composed of aliphatic components and polysaccharides bonded through carboxylic and amide groups, and organosilicon compounds. The stability of macrogels of macroaggregates is, according to FT-IR and X-ray analyses, most probably enhanced by interactions with entrapped particles of calcite, quartz and clay minerals. These organic-mineral associations seem to be important for mucous phenomena. According to ¹H-NMR spectra, the temporal differences in macroaggregate composition show a relative increasing percentage of organosilicon compounds and aliphatic components bonded to carbohydrates through ester and amide groups, and an increasing ratio between aliphatic structures and carbohydrates. This indicates that aliphatic chains bonded to Si and carbohydrates may contribute to the persistence and stability of macroaggregates in the summer stratified waters in the northern Adriatic, while the temporal decrease of carbohydrate content is most probably due to microbial and photochemical degradation of algal reserve polysaccharides.     

Benthic mucilaginous aggregates in the Mediterranean Sea: Origin, chemical composition and polysaccharide characterization

Benthic mucilaginous aggregates are frequently formed in various parts of the Mediterranean basin, as in the Tyrrhenian and Adriatic Seas. Notwithstanding their wide spatial distribution, the role played by these aggregates in the biogeochemical cycling of organic matter is still largely unknown.The characteristics of the benthic aggregates examined in the present study showed that they are different from other mucilaginous aggregates, such as the “pelagic” ones that can form in the same areas in the water column and subsequently sediment to the seafloor. The aggregates are usually formed of structures of the filamentous macroalgae Acinetospora crinita, Chrysonephos lewisii and Nematochrysopsis marina. The elemental composition of the aggregates showed a marine macrophyte origin on the basis of the bulk organic matter content of the aggregates. Carbohydrates and proteins account for 26.6 to 55.9% of the organic carbon in the mucilage, respectively. Monosaccharide composition of exopolysaccharides in the mucilage aggregates revealed a characteristic pattern, with galactose, xylose or mannose and fucose as the major components. The relatively high content of deoxysugars is another distinctive feature. The abundant sulphate and uronic groups present in the polysaccharides in addition to their macromolecular dimensions and elongation contribute to inter-chain aggregation. Electron microscopic observations suggest that the polysaccharide fraction is the main macromolecular component in the formation of the persistent gel network in the aggregates.     

硫化物胁迫对海草影响的研究进展

硫酸盐的还原作用是沿海海洋沉积物中有机质厌氧矿化的主要终点过程,该过程会生产有毒的硫化物。迄今为止,在所研究的大多数海草中都发现了硫化物侵入植株组织内部的现象,而且在温带和热带区域已经发生过多起因为草床沉积物中硫化物浓度过高而导致海草大面积死亡的事件。本文综述了近三十年来硫化物胁迫对海草影响的相关研究工作,主要内容包括以下四方面：（1）硫化物对海草产生胁迫的环境条件主要有缺氧、缺铁、有机质富集以及高盐;（2）硫化物侵入海草组织的途径是由根部吸收进而转移到地下茎和叶片中,而随着时间的推移,硫化物在海草组织中最终主要以单质硫、硫酸盐以及有机硫的形式存在;（3）硫化物对海草的危害主要是通过直接破坏海草的分生组织并进一步抑制海草的光合作用发生的,对海草的生长带来严重的负面影响;（4）不同海草物种受硫化物的侵入情况不同,主要与海草物种的形态学和内部结构差异有关。最后提出三方面的展望,包括硫化物胁迫下海草组织、细胞层面的深入研究,分子应答机制的研究以及有效的海草床修复手段的探索。本文有助于全面了解海草与硫化物胁迫之间的关系,并为将来开展更深入的研究提供参考。     

Organic matter origin and distribution in suspended particulate materials and surficial sediments from the western Adriatic Sea (Italy)

In this study, organic carbon (OC), total nitrogen (TN), stable carbon isotopic (δ¹³C_OC) and CuO reaction product compositions were used to identify the sources of organic matter (OM) and to quantify the relative importance of allochthonous and autochthonous contributions to the western Adriatic Sea, Italy. Suspended particulate material (195 samples) and surficial sediments (0–1 cm, 70 samples) from shallow cross-shelf transects were collected in February and May 2003, respectively. Vertical water column profiles were acquired along the same transects. Data include depth, potential temperature, salinity, density and chlorophyll fluorimetry.Along the western Adriatic shelf in the near-shore region, the phytoplankton growth was influenced by dynamics of the buoyant plumes from the Po and Appennine rivers. A small amount of very fine terrigenous material remained suspended within the coastal current and was exported southward along the shelf to the slope. High variability in the bulk composition was detected in the Po prodelta surficial sediments, whereas the western Adriatic shelf, although a larger area, exhibited a narrower range of values.A significant decoupling was observed between suspended particles in the water column and surficial deposits. The organic material collected in the water column was compositionally heterogeneous, with contributions from marine phytoplankton, riverine–estuarine phytoplankton and soil-derived OM. Frequent physical reworking of surficial sediments likely leads to the efficient oxidation of marine OC, resulting in the observed accumulation and preservation of refractory soil-derived OC delivered by the Po and Appennine rivers.     

南海现代表层沉积物中有机物的分布研究

应用GC,GC/MS分析法,系统剖析了南海现代沉积物中有机质的分子地球化学特征,对其生物标志物组成、成熟度和成因进行了研究.研究认为,南海现代沉积物中有机质族组成具有现代有机质特征,但部分生物标志物参数特征表明烃类具有低成熟度,可能有外源有机质的加入.O-2,O-6,O-10和O-13样品中的烃类组成特点说明,这4个样品中的烃类是在海相贡献略高于其他样品环境中的条件下形成的.甾烷的组成特点说明了南海现代沉积物中有机质生源的特殊性.     

Organic matter in sediments of canyons and open slopes of the Portuguese,Catalan, Southern Adriatic and Cretan Sea margins

We describe the quantitative and compositional (phytopigment, protein, carbohydrate and lipid) patterns of sedimentary organic matter along bathymetric gradients in seven submarine canyons and adjacent open slopes located at four European regions: one along the NE Atlantic and three along the Mediterranean continental margins. The investigated areas are distributed along a putative longitudinal gradient of decreasing primary production from the Portuguese (northeastern Atlantic Ocean), to the Catalan (western Mediterranean Sea), Southern Adriatic (central Mediterranean Sea) and Southern Cretan (eastern Mediterranean Sea) margins. Sediment concentrations of organic matter differed significantly between the Portuguese margin and the Mediterranean regions and also from one study area to the other within the Mediterranean Sea. Differences in quantity and composition of sediment organic matter between canyons and open slopes were limited and significant only in the eutrophic Portuguese margin, where the differences were as large as those observed between regions (i.e. at the mesoscale). These results suggest that the overall trophic status of deep margin sediments is controlled mostly by the primary productivity of the overlying waters rather than by the local topography. Moreover, we also report that the quantity and nutritional quality of sediment organic matter in canyons and adjacent open slopes do not show any consistent depth-related pattern. Only the Nazaré and Cascais canyons in the Portuguese margin, at depths deeper than 500 m, displayed a significant accumulation of labile organic matter. The results of our study underline the need of further investigations of deep margins through sampling strategies accounting for adequate temporal and spatial scales of variability.     

A spatially resolved model of seasonal variations in phytoplankton and clam (Tapes philippinarum) biomass in Barbamarco Lagoon,Italy

Barbamarco Lagoon (area = 7 km²) is in the Po River Delta, adjoining the Northern Adriatic Sea, and supports a commercially valuable clam (Tapes philippinarum) fishery. This study investigated interactions of the lagoon with adjacent coastal waters and inland riverine inputs by modelling both the lagoon and the Northern Adriatic Sea, using a coupled three-dimensional (3D) hydrodynamic-ecological model (ELCOM-CAEDYM) adapted to include the clam population. The clam model accounted for carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) biomass in the benthos through parameterisations for filtration, excretion, egestion, respiration, mortality, and harvesting. Multiple clam size classes were included in a new population dynamics sub-model. Output from the coupled model was validated against hydrodynamic and water quality data from intensive field sampling and routine monitoring. Time scales of tidal flushing, primary production and clam grazing were investigated with the model to demonstrate that food supply to clam populations is dominated by phytoplankton inputs from the Northern Adriatic Sea. Effects of clam cultivation on nutrient concentrations and phytoplankton biomass in Barbamarco Lagoon were primarily localised, with strong tidal flushing minimising impacts of clam filtration on lagoon-wide nutrient concentrations at current clam stocking levels. Clam populations were found to alter the cycling of nutrients in the system, causing the lagoon to become a net sink for particulate organic matter and to export dissolved organic matter to the adjacent sea via tidal flushing. Ecosystem health and sensitivity of nutrient cycles to clam cultivation are important considerations for the long term sustainable management and potential expansion of the fishery.     

Reactive iron and its buffering capacity towards dissolved sulfide in sediments of Jiaozhou Bay,China

Reactive iron (Fe) oxides in marine sediments play a critical role in removal of free sulfide. In this study, 0.5 and 6 N HCl-extractable Fe, acid volatile sulfide (AVS), and pyrite were examined in sediments at three sites of eutrophic Jiaozhou Bay to investigate the interactions of sulfur and Fe and possible influences of eutrophication on free sulfide removal. The results indicate that formation and accumulation of AVS and pyrite are limited by low availability of labile organic matter, despite eutrophication of the bay water. Quick buffering of free sulfide proceeded mainly via consumption of 0.5 N HCl-extractable Fe (labile Fe), however, the consumption did not result in a depletion of the Fe pool. High residual buffering capacity enables a quick removal of free sulfide in porewater, and thereby it is difficult for sulfide to accumulate and to cause detrimental effects on benthic organisms at the present steady state. Significant effects of eutrophication on Fe and sulfur geochemistry is restricted only to the estuarine sediments which were subject to direct wastewater discharges, whereas no such effects were observed in other sediments of the bay.     

Vertical Patterns of Suspended Matter Characteristics Along a Coastal-basin Transect in the Western Baltic Sea

Suspended particulate matter samples were collected from the water column, the bottom nepheloid layer and the ‘ fluffy layer ’ from four stations along a coastal-basin transect in the Pomeranian Bight, western Baltic Sea. Sampling was performed nine times between October 1996 and December 1998 for various analyses, including electron probe x-ray micro analysis for detailed mineralogical investigations.Specific vertical patterns of clay mineral distributions were found. Suspended particulate matter (SPM) in the bottom nepheloid layer and the ‘ fluffy layer ’ overlying sediments was enriched in organic carbon and hydrated three layer clay minerals, whereas the non-aggregated SPM was dominated by quartz and biogenic opal. It appears that separation effects operate during aggregation of mineral particles and organic matter in repeated cycles of resuspension and settling. No clear seasonal variations in the composition of the SPM were found, in spite of high spatial and temporal variability of biological and physical variables. The results suggest that preferential incorporation, possibly aided by microbiological colonization, of hydrated three layer silicates into the organic flocs is a process that occurs under a wide range of conditions. Because aggregates sink faster than individual particles, aggregate formation led to a relative enrichment of illite and smectite in the near-bottom layers. Considering the affinity of organic contaminants and heavy metals to organic matter, the selective removal of aggregated organic matter and hydrated three-layer clay minerals from the water column and enhanced transport in the near-bottom fluffy layer may be a natural cleansing mechanism operating in the shallow waters of the bight.     

The relationship between seagrass (Posidonia oceanica) decline and sulfide porewater concentration in carbonate sediments

In this study we test the hypothesized negative relationship between seagrass status and porewater hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) levels, through a comparative analysis within a range of seven Posidonia oceanica meadows growing over carbonate sediments in the NW Mediterranean Sea around Mallorca Island. The studied meadows range from meadows growing on sediments with very low sulfide porewater concentrations (4.6 μM) to those growing over higher sulfide conditions (33.5 μM). Organic matter content, sulfate reduction rates and sulfide porewater concentrations in the sediments were determined concurrently with the assessment of demographic plant dynamics (specific mortality and net population growth rates). Sulfide porewater concentration increased with increasing organic matter content in the sediment, while net population growth decreased significantly with low increases of sulfide concentrations. Our results confirm the previously suspected vulnerability of seagrass meadows growing on carbonate sediments to increased sulfide levels. An excess of 10 μmols H₂S L⁻¹ porewater is identified to already conduce P. oceanica meadows to decline, which this study identifies, particularly, as strongly sensitive to sulfides. The results reported here suggest that even moderate increases in organic carbon inputs may lead to enhancement of dissolved sulfides and may be an important factor for seagrass status in these iron-depleted carbonate sediments from the Mediterranean Sea.     

Authigenic iron oxide formation in the estuarine mixing zone of the Yangtze River

Estuaries are elementary geochemical fronts where river water and seawater mix. Within this mixing zone, iron and other non-conservative elements can undergo complex reactions to form new solid phases. In order to understand authigenic iron oxide formation in the Yangtze River Estuary, two onsite water-mixing sets of experiments were conducted, one by mixing variable amounts of unfiltered Yangtze River water with filtered East China Sea water of different salinity (set 1), the other by mixing variable amounts of filtered Yangtze River water with filtered East China Sea water of different salinity (set 2). In set 2, the minerals newly formed in the course of mixing were investigated by means of a scanning electron microscope fitted with an energy-dispersive X-ray analytical system. It was found that ferrihydrite and lepidocrocite were formed in these mixing experiments, coexisting in nearly equal amounts. These iron oxides appear as aggregated particles with a large grain-size range of several microns to more than 100 μm. The electrolytic properties of seawater played an important role in the formation of these authigenic iron oxides. Kaolinite and organic aggregates were also found in the experimentally mixed pre-filtered waters. Amounts of newly formed suspended matter (set 2) were one to three orders of magnitude lower than those of total suspended matter (TSM) (set 1). This implies that newly formed minerals represent only a very small proportion of TSM in the estuarine mixing zone of the Yangtze River.     

胡安·德富卡洋脊因代沃段热液黑烟囱体成矿物质来源:硫同位素的限制

选取胡安·德富卡洋脊(Juan de Fuca Ridge,JDFR)因代沃(Endeavour)段的17个热液黑烟囱体样品对其中的硫同位素进行分析测定,讨论了因代沃段热液活动区内黑烟囱体成矿的物质来源、将硫同位素数据与已发表的热液流体及硫化物数据耦合,并结合前人的成果得到如下认识:(1)因代沃段硫化物的硫同位素组成与其他无沉积物覆盖的洋脊硫化物硫同位素组成相似,然而其相比于南胡安·德富卡洋脊(South Juan de Fuca Ridge,SJFR)硫化物亏损重同位素;(2)结合前人研究成果,如果SJFR硫化物的硫全部来自基底玄武岩的淋洗与海水中的硫酸盐,那么因代沃段硫化物的硫可能有1%~3%来自沉积物的贡献,故提出因代沃段成矿系统中的硫来源主要来自基底玄武岩,同时伴随有少量海水硫酸盐来源及沉积物来源的硫加入;(3)将硫同位素数据与已发表的热液流体及硫化物数据进行耦合发现热液流体中的沉积物信号与硫化物中的硫可能来自不同的源,并提出沉积物端元可能位于下渗区。     

胡安·德富卡洋脊因代沃段热液黑烟囱体成矿物质来源:硫同位素的限制

选取胡安.德富卡洋脊(Juan de Fuca Ridge,JDFR)因代沃(Endeavour)段的17个热液黑烟囱体样品对其中的硫同位素进行分析测定,讨论了因代沃段热液活动区内黑烟囱体成矿的物质来源、将硫同位素数据与已发表的热液流体及硫化物数据耦合,并结合前人的成果得到如下认识:(1)因代沃段硫化物的硫同位素组成与其他无沉积物覆盖的洋脊硫化物硫同位素组成相似,然而其相比于南胡安.德富卡洋脊(South Juan de Fuca Ridge,SJFR)硫化物亏损重同位素;(2)结合前人研究成果,如果SJFR硫化物的硫全部来自基底玄武岩的淋洗与海水中的硫酸盐,那么因代沃段硫化物的硫可能有1%～3%来自沉积物的贡献,故提出因代沃段成矿系统中的硫来源主要来自基底玄武岩,同时伴随有少量海水硫酸盐来源及沉积物来源的硫加入;(3)将硫同位素数据与已发表的热液流体及硫化物数据进行耦合发现热液流体中的沉积物信号与硫化物中的硫可能来自不同的源,并提出沉积物端元可能位于下渗区。     

On the rates of sulfide formation and oxidation in the Black Sea during the cold season

The rate of the hydrogen sulfide oxidation in the redox zone of the Black Sea and the rate of the hydrogen sulfide formation due to bacterial sulfate reduction in the upper layer of the anaerobic waters were measured during the period of February–April 1991. The measurements were made using a sulfur radioisotope under conditions close to those in situ. It was established that the hydrogen sulfide is oxidized in the layer where oxygen and hydrogen sulfide coexist, which is under the upper boundary of the hydrogen sulfide layer. The maximum rate of the hydrogen sulfide oxidation was recorded within the limits of the density values δτ of 16.20–16.30, while varying in the layer from 2 to 4.5 μM/day. The average rate of the hydrogen sulfide oxidation was 1.5–3 times higher than that during the warm season. Sulfide formation was not observed at most of the stations in the examined lower portion of the pycnocline layer (140 to 400 m depths). Noticeable sulfate reduction was detected only at one station on the northwestern shelf. A probable reason for such noticeable changes in the sulfur dynamics in the water mass of the Black Sea may be the intensified hydrodynamics in the upper layers of the water mass during the cold season. The data suggesting that hydrogen sulfide oxidation proceeds under the hydrogen sulfide boundary indicate the absence of the so called “suboxic zone” in this basin.     

Organic matter characterization and fate in the sub-arctic Norwegian fjords during the late spring/summer period

The organic matter (OM) pool has been studied in two sub-arctic north Norwegian fjords, Balsfjord and Ullsfjord, in July 2001 and June 2003. Besides general OM parameters such as dissolved organic carbon (DOC), particulate organic carbon and nitrogen (POC and PON), the distribution of specific compounds such as folic acid and surface active substances (SAS) was followed. The results are supported with data of salinity, temperature, and chlorophyll a (Chl a). This approach allowed assessment of the fate of the OM pool, and its distinct vertical, spatial, and seasonal variations. Fjord waters could be vertically divided into two layers: the upper mixed layer (UML), until 40 m depth, and the deep aphotic layer. Spatial variability between the two fjords is a consequence of different influences of shelf waters on the fjords. Significant enrichment of POC and PON concentrations (3–5 times), as well as those of particulate SAS and folic acid (up to 3.2 times) in the UML was recorded during the period of new production, in early June. Depletion of particulate OM in deep waters was ascribed to fast dissolution or remineralization in the UML or upper part of aphotic layer. OM in July 2001 was characterized with 15.9% higher DOC pool compared to June 2003, and had refractory properties, suggesting the fjords to be an important source of organic matter for the continental shelf ecosystem. The DOC pool in these subarctic fjords represents the major component of the OM pool. The DOC concentrations in fjords are lower than those in previously studied warmer seas (e.g. the Adriatic Sea), whereas the concentrations of folic acid and SAS are comparable to those in the Adriatic Sea.