Application of vertically integrated sampling approach to study of new production via 234Th-238U disequilibria

The spatial and temporal distributions of new production vary largely in different sea areas. To understand the level of new production in the sea area studied better, an estimate of new production must be obtained in large spatial and temporal scales. The ~234Th/ ~238U disequilibrium is an effective method for the study of new production. Two sampling strategies, vertically integrated sampling ap proach based on trapezoidal integration principle and discrete layer sampling approach, were compared in the studies of the xiamen Bay and the northern South China Sea. The scavenging fluxes and removal fluxes of ~234Th and the residence times for dissolved and particulate ~234Th were calculated. The coinci dent results from two Sampling approach suggest that vertically integrated sampling approach is not only effective and reliable, but also significantly reduces the number and volume of samples. It allows us to study new production by ba ~(234)Th - ~(238)U disequilibria in large spatial scale.