Report on the marine biological research in ice-covered waters of the Beaufort Sea, March 1990

Abstract

As part of the Mombusho International Scientific Research Program, "Temporal variability of primary production and energy flow in the Arctic sea ice area (PREFLA)", on-ice marine biological investigations were carried out from March 1-13,1990,in Prudhoe Bay and off Pt. Barrow, Beaufort Sea. Water and sea-ice core collections, plankton samplings with nets and collections of benthic organisms with traps were performed at four locations in Prudhoe Bay. Respiration rates were measured for small benthic crustaceans from Prudhoe Bay with special interest in metabolic rate in the winter season. Trap samplings were also performed at one location off Pt. Barrow to know benthic fauna in relation to seal's diet. In addition, we obtained information on the logistic support and laboratory facilities for the future marine biological research program in that area.