Chemical interactions and sediments of the western Canadian arctic shelf

摘要: Abstract The Canadian Beaufort Shelf is the largest continental shelf on North American side of Arctic and most brackish all shelves. Chemical data both site-specific from Ocean interior are reviewed for evidence chemical processes which occur at shelf-seabed/water interface. important material sources to this region include Mackenzie River, shore erosion, primary production, long-range atmospheric transport. latter source appears be chlorinated organics. For past two decades hydrocarbon exploration has had a local impact around drill-sites where cuttings drill muds have been discharged. environment nearshore exceedingly dynamic due mediated by ice (scour, brine drainage, water disposition) winds (sediment resuspension upwelling). Storms northwest in late summer, when there open water, potential resuspend bottom sediments (less than about 20 m depth) bringing transport detritus remineralized material. Future research seabed interactions should focus measurement seasonal fluxes materials seabed, carbon shelf, denitrification sediments, response summer storms role budget organic contaminants.