THE HYDROCHEMICAL STRUCTURE OF THE WATERS IN THE PACIFIC SECTOR OF THE ANTARCTIC

Hydrochemical data from WOCE section S4(P), carried out in February-Ma rch 1992 along 67 degrees S in the Pacific Sector of the Antarctic, we re analyzed with the purpose to check modern conception of hydrologic- hydrochemical structure of Antarctic waters in this region. The variab ility of hydrochemical parameters along the section is governed by gen eral features of circulation in the southern part of the Pacific, toge ther with regional and local peculiarities of the section. The eastern part of the region was occupied by ''old'' waters of Antarctic Circum polar Current (ACC) that was marked by high concentration of silicum ( 150 mu M/kg) and low content of oxygen (4 ml/l). In the western part o f the region a weak Ross gyre was recorded. Hydrochemical parameters w ere used as tracers for distinguishing different water masses, frontal boundaries of the Ross gyre and the regions of ''new'' bottom waters formations in the Ross sea and boundaries of their distribution.