Table 2 Vertical fluxes and marine aggregates characteristics in the epipelagic waters (0–100 m) of ice-covered and ice-free regions.

Drifting traps fluxes

Particulate organic carbon (POC; mg m⁻² d⁻¹)

128

63

Particulate organic nitrogen (PON; mg m⁻² d⁻¹)

17.5

6.5

POC to PON ratio (mol:mol)

7.9

11.3

Gel trap fluxes

Number of collected particles

2003

1399

Total particle number flux (# m⁻² d⁻¹)

36 × 10⁴

37 × 10⁴

Total particle volume flux (mm³ m⁻² d⁻¹)

11 × 10³

1.5 × 10³

Average ESD of particles (mm)

0.2 ± 0.2 (range: 0.1–2)

0.1 ± 0.1 (range: 0.1–1)

Average volume of particles (mm³)

0.03 ± 0.2

0.003 ± 0.02

Vertical flow chamber

Number of collected particles

36

24

Average ESD of particles (mm)

0.9 ± 0.1 (range: 0.3–2.4)

0.6 ± 0.1 (range: 0.3–1.3)

Average sinking velocity of particles (m d⁻¹)

52.8 ± 0.9

29.5 ± 0.7

Dominant phytoplankton in particles

Diatoms

Flagellates (Phaeocystis spp.)