TH-234 AS AN INDICATOR OF PARTICULATE FLU XES IN THE KARA SEA

Mean residence time of Th-234 connected with suspended matter in the K ara Sea was calculated from the distribution of dissolved and suspende d Th-234. Integral particulate fluxes at different levels were estimat ed for two stations. The flux increases only in the density interface layer, deeper it changes insignificantly. Two maxima of differential f luxes are fixed: in the surface layer, where primary production is max imum, and in the interface layer, where zooplankton is usually concent rated. Zooplankton realizes active transport of suspended matter. Diff erential fluxes were determined at 10 stations; their distribution is controlled by primary production, which depends on turbidity of river water in estuaries.