Assessment of the coposition of water masses in the easter part of the Barents Sea using modern data of δ18O and δ2H parameters

Abstract

This paper presents the results of measurements of δ18O and δ2H stable isotope values in the waters of the Barents Sea, which were carried out in March–April 2021. Based on the data presented, the ratio of base water content – atlantic (fa), river (fr) and melt water (fi), as well as the volume of water withdrawn for ice formation in the studied water area was assessed. The comparative estimation of base water content, calculated on values “δ18O–salinity” and “δ2H–salinity” is presented and obtained values do not exceed limits of mean value ±sd. However, average values of Atlantic and ice water content calculated using δ2H parameter are higher than those using δ18O, and river water content is lower. The use of δ18O and δ2H parameters in oceanographic studies in the calculation of balance characteristics is preferable to temperature and salinity because of their greater conservativity.