ESTIMATION OF RATES OF THE ORGANIC-MATTER TRANSFORMATION AND NUTRIENTS REGENERATION IN THE BERING SEA

The rates of organic Matter transformation and nutrients regeneration in the Bering Sea (June 1992) were estimated according to the data on activities of the electron transport system enzymes and of alkaline ph osphatase. The mean time of complete phosphorus regeneration in the eu photic zone was 24 h. The zones of intense primary production were cha racterized by high rates of phosphorolysis and low concentration of in organic phosphorus. It is noteworthy that in the layers with low conce ntration of inorganic phosphorus the phosphate recycling accounts for about 90% of primary production. The turnover time of organic matter w as determined by the electron transport system activity in the Bering Sea. The intensity of organic matter oxidation in the abyssal regions was five to ten times less than in the coastal shallow-water regions. It was shown that the rates of the organic matter destruction was maxi mal in the shelf and mixed waters.