Biotic Balance in the Ocean and Estimation
of the Organic Matter Flux from Epipelagic Zones
on the Basis of Satellite and Expeditionary Data

E. A. Shushkina, M. E. Vinogradov, and L. P. Lebedeva

Shirshov Institute of Oceanology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Nakhimovskii pr. 36, Moscow, 117218 Russia

Received June 22, 1998

Abstract—Elements of the biotic balance of the ocean were calculated on the basis of satellite estimations of
the distribution of chlorophyll concentration and correlated distributions of various characteristics of the
pelagic ecosystem. Following the algorithms described earlier, the values of specific production of the major
elements of the community were calculated (phytoplankton, bacteria, protozoans, and mesoplankton) in regions
with different trophic conditions. Their proportion in the overall heterotrophic destruction is estimated, as well
as detritus production and its flux toward depths greater than 200 m. In various regions, this flux comprises from
5 to 18% of the value of photosynthetic primary production and from 15 to 50% of the total detritus production
in the upper 200-m layer. The overall heterotrophic destruction in the epipelagic zones of the ocean (from 0 to
200 m) is estimated at 86 10⁹ t C per year, and the biotic balance seems to reach equilibrium at a primary
production value of 100 10⁹ t C per year.

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