The rates of primary production and new production will be studied at the GOFS Pacific Ocean time-series sites site, Station Aloha (23oN 158oW) using mixed layer measurements of oxygen, argon, nitrogen, radon-222 and the stable isotope ratio of 02. The primary goal is to constrain the rates of biological processes by comparing results from the geochemical gas method with independent in vitro incubation experiments and sediment trap fluxes. Proposed sampling frequency is monthly. Preliminary results demonstrate that highly accurate and precise measurements of dissolved gas concentrations and isotopic composition can be made using mass spectrometry. Calculation of oxygen loss to the atmosphere using data from four cruises at Station P in 1987 and 1988 yield new production rate estimates within a factor of two of values determined independently by in vitro incubations and sediment trap measurements. Geochemical and biological production estimates appear to be consistent in this part of the ocean which is a dramatic contrast with recent findings in subtropics.
