Source of iron to the western subarctic North Pacific and Oyashio-region – a possibility of iron from the Sea of Okhotsk-

Abstract

Resent studies indicated that iron is an important factor controlling phytoplankton growth in subarctic North Pacific. In this study, we observed vertical profile of iron in the western subarctic North Pacific, Oyashio-region, and the sea of Okhotsk, and we discuss that the Sea of Okhotsk may have very important role for iron supply to the western subarctic Pacific. There are several reports indicate water export from the Sea of Okhotsk into the western subarctic Pacific through Kuril islands. Therefore, it can be considered that seawater, which contains iron in high concentration, exported into the subarctic Pacific from the Sea of Okhotsk, and have influence on biological response in the western subarctic Pacific, especially in Oyashio region.