Primary production of phytoplankton in the eastern part of the Bering Sea

This study is based on the primary production data obtained by radiocarbon methods in the main oceanographic domains and frontal zones in the Pribilof area in the eastern Bering Sea in the summer seasons of the years 1992-1994. The spatial and temporal (intraseasonal and annual) variability of the photosynthesis rate over the shelf and in the adjacent deepwater areas was evaluated. It was shown that the peak values of the summer phytoplankton production in most of the frontal areas and some of the oceanographic domains are commensurable with the productivity level typical of the spring bloom and attain 3.0-4.9 g C m(-2) day(-1). Most frequently, the high production values were observed in the coastal front and coastal zone of the Pribilof Islands, as well as in the deepwater area closely adjacent to the shelf break front. A conclusion about the high significance of the summer "peaks" of phytoplankton production in the annual production cycle in the eastern Bering Sea was reached.