The distribution of molecular nitrogen in waters of Okhotsk Sea

The distribution of molecular nitrogen in the Okhotsk Sea and in the area near the Kuril islands was studied during the 24th cruise of the RV "Academic A.Nesmeyanov" in summer of 1993. The average molecule nitrogen content was 13.0-14.0 ml 1/sup -1/, with the extreme values observed in Sakhalin bay ranging from 8.8 to 17.6 ml 1/sup -1/. In terms of the vertical distribution of molecular nitrogen, its concentration was increasing from surface and near-bottom layers towards the Cold Intermediate Layer, although maximum values were sometimes observed on the surface also. While the nitrogen water saturation ranged from 83 to 122%, in general the study area was characterized by molecular nitrogen undersaturation by 1-2%.