Hydrochemical variability in the surface mixed layer along the drift path of the North Pole 35 station

The variability of the phosphates, silicates, alkalinity, oxygen, CO₂ pressure, salinity, and temperature in the surface mixed layer (SML), as well as the variations of its thickness along the drift passage of the North Pole 35 station, are considered. The station drifted over the Nansen Basin mainly eastwards from ??105 to ??30° E. The surveys were performed from October of 2007 till June of 2008 at three-day intervals. The SML parameters are mainly determined by the advection and mixing with the underlying waters. The analysis of the hydrochemical variability shows that the surface waters at the eastern and western areas of the drift are of different origins. The waters of the eastern area were subjected to the impact of riverine runoff. These waters were spread westwards. The fraction of riverine waters in the eastern area amounts to 3%. In the western area of the drift, presumably transformed Atlantic waters were observed, which spread eastwards from the Fram Strait. The drift path of the station crosses the boundary of the water masses near 85° N and 45° E.