Application of the wet oxidation method for dissolved organic carbon analysis in the Southern Ocean

Results of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) measurements by wet photochemical oxidation method are presented for series of seawater samples collected fr om September-November 1995 in the Indian sector of Southern Ocean. DOC conc entrations in Antarctic Surface Water (AASW) were 57 +/- 9 mu M C, and were about 48 +/- 10 and 46 +/- 6 mu M C in Circumpolar Deep Water (CDW) and in Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW), respectively. We also measured total organi c carbon (TOC) by using the High Temperature Catalytic Oxidation technique and particulate organic carbon (POC) in AASW by using a CHN analyzer. In AA SW TOC and POC concentrations were 49 +/- 3 mu M and 4 +/- 2 mu M C, respec tively, whereas TOC concentrations averaged 42 +/- 3 in CDW and 37 +/- 1 in AABW. TI-le labile pool was estimated at 12 mu M C. (C) 1999 Academie des sciences.