PARTICULATE LIPID-COMPOSITION ALONG OB RI VER ESTUARY - KARA SEA TRANSECT

Particulate lipid composition along the Ob river-Kara Sea transect hav e been analysed by thin-layer chromatography with Iatroscan flame ioni zation detection. The particulate lipid concentration varied widely (1 8.4-266.0 mkg/l, average 84.97 mkg/l). Total lipid content in total or ganic matter composition ranged from 4.06 to 58.52%. Lipid class analy sis indicated that hydrocarbons (average 32.14% of total lipids), pola r lipids (29.85%), wax and sterol esters (13.04%) and monoand diglycer ides (12.52%) are the main components of the particulate lipid composi tion. Fatty acid esters, free fatty acids, triglycerides and sterols a re the minor components of the particulate lipid composition, Major fa ctor in formation of original particulate lipid composition is likely to be the enormous Ob river runoff. The particulate lipid composition reflects differences of organic matter transformation processes betwee n estuary and sea parts of transect and some specific arctic organisms composition.