¹⁸O modelling of freshwater inputs in Baffin Bay and Canadian Arctic coastal waters

Abstract

¹⁸O–salinity modelling of marine environments has been proposed for various areas, including some Arctic seas. The present report concerns Arctic coastal waters collected along the west coast of Greenland, northern Baffin Bay, the Arctic archipelago and the north shore of Alaska. Measurements of ¹⁸O versus salinity allow the identification of three main components: marine standard water, continental freshwater and sea ice meltwater. Continental waters may be represented by either glacial meltwater (western Greenland), land drainage (Mackenzie areas) or both. Quantitative determinations of the respective parts involved in mixed coastal waters imply a precise knowledge of the isotopic characteristics of the local continental waters. These determinations may be achieved either numerically or graphically.