2010 Volume 64 Issue 4 Pages 217-224
Suspended particles were collected at the water surface in the Western Tropical Pacific Ocean. The suspended particles at the water surface were classified into 16 types using individual particle analysis and a scanning electron microprobe equipped with an energy-dispersive X ray analyzer. Si-rich particles were dominant at St.2, 4, 6 and 7. S-rich particles were dominant at St.8. Both biogenic particles and terrigenous particles were observed at all sampling points. The proportion of biogenic particles and terrigenous particles was 15-39%, and 61-85%, respectively. The possibility of direct supplement of terrigenous particles for St. 2, 4, 7 and 8 is smaller than those for St.6. The contribution of the terrigenous material from the Tuvurvur volcano was one possible origin of the suspended particles at St.7 and 8.
