POPULATION OF THE NORWAY-SEA IN THE REGIO N OF CATASTROPHE OF THE NUCLEAR SUBMARINE KOMSOMOLETS

Specific features of vertical distribution and migration of planktonic organisms were studied for estimation of direct pathway of distributi on of radionuclides in case they are released in the environment from the sunk nul clear submarine ''Komsomolets'' (73 degrees 42'N, 13 degr ees 15'E, depth 1700 m). The materials were collected by 150-liter bat hometers and planktonic nets in July 1994. In addition, planktonic ani mals were directly counted from deepsea submarines ''Mir''. Distributi on of the total biomass of plankton was considered and distribution in the water column from the surface to the depth 1700 m was quantitativ ely estimated for the following species: Calanus finmarchicus, C. hype rboreus, Metridia longa, Euchaeta spp., Sagitta elegans, Themisto abys sorum, and Hymenodora glacialis. The Norway sea hollow is filled by th e local Arctic water and this facilitates penetration of many species during seasonal and other migrations down to the demersal layers, i.e. , to depths, which are not specific for these organisms in basins with usual water stratification. Mass accumulations of Th. abyssorum have been found in the demersal layer, which is a main component of feeding of commercial plankton-eating fish as well as migrations of this crus tacean across the water.