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filter (0.50 lJmpore size). After filtration, filters were<br />

rinsed five times with distilled water to remove salts. The<br />

samples were air dried and weighed in the shore laboratory<br />

after they had equilibrated with the laboratory atmosphere.<br />

The precision of the procedure is 50 lJg for total suspended<br />

matter (Spencer and Sachs, 1970). Weights of total<br />

suspended matter collected per sample ranged from 120 to<br />

1650 lJg.<br />

CON CENTRAT I ON AN 0 D I STRI BUT I ON<br />

The particulate matter concentrations ranged from 6 to<br />

63 lJg per liter of sea water; all values greater than<br />

40 lJg/l i te r we re res t ri cted to the depth range 5050- 5400 m,<br />

and concentrations dropped abruptly above and below these<br />

depths. Since all samples were collected in standard<br />

hydrocasts, the concentrations can be plotted accurately<br />

against potential temperature (Fig. 7.2), thus relating<br />

suspended matter to the water mass which is transporting<br />

it. The average concentrations for discrete potential<br />

temperature intervals are: 1.51 to 1.60°8 - 15 lJg/liter<br />

(34 samples), 1.61 to 1.70°8 - 31 lJg/liter (29 samples),<br />

1.71 to 1.80°8 - 22 lJg/liter (32 samples), and 1.81 to<br />

1.90°8 - 14 lJg/liter (3 samples). Samples taken at<br />

individual stations seldom showed a regular pattern of<br />

185<br />

increasing or decreasing concentrations toward the sea floor.<br />

The overall circulation pattern responsible for trans-<br />

porting suspended matter to the Greater Antilles Outer Ridge<br />

')<br />

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