EDI Data Portal
Particulate organic matter is exported from the upper ocean euphotic zone in the form of large sinking particles and as dissolved material. Particle fluxes to depth link the surface and mesopelagic realm and supply food to the benthos. Sedimentation flux is typically measured with sediment traps of various designs. Palmer LTER has deployed a time-series trap near 64.5degrees S, 66.0degrees W since late 1992. The trap is moored in 300 m depth and collects sinking particles at 150 m. Deployments and analyses were performed by David Karl, University of Hawaii until 2002 when Hugh Ducklow took over the sediment trap operations.Sedimentation at the PAL site of the West Antarctic Peninsula demonstrates extreme seasonality, with a well-defined pulse in the Austral summer following sea ice retreat. Daily sedimentation rates during the summer flux event are among the highest recorded globally. During the Austral winter when the ocean is covered by sea ice and shrouded in darkness, fluxes are among the lowest observed anywhere. Sedimentation rates at PAL typically vary by 4 orders of magnitude. There is also order of magnitude variability in the total annual flux (area under the curve).
