Objective The objective of this research is to extend the knowledge of the processes affecting transformations and fates of particles and biogeochemically important elements and to compare their propagation in Arctic estuaries and temperate estuaries. This study will assess the importance of Arctic estuaries in global geochemical cycling.A preliminary site survey of a number of Arctic estuaries in the Kandalaksha Bay, White Sea, Russia, was carried out in order to identify suitable study sites and to address potential logistical problems. As a result of this survey three estuaries have been identified as being scientifically and logistically suitable.The objective will be achieved by characterising the physical, chemical and ecological interactive processes within each estuary and its immediate coastal zone and the quantification of fluxes at the significant boundaries, e.g. river/estuary, sediment/water interfaces. Intensive seasonal investigations (spring, summer and autumn seasons) will provide essential data on diurnal, tidal and seasonal time scales. During these surveys the most significant physical, chemical and biological variables will be measured, including the vertical and horizontal structure of salinity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, turbidity, nutrients, trace metals and primary production, zooplankton and phytoplankton abundance and speciation. Results will be used to create integrable ecosystem models of the key processes. Papers arising from the research will be published in international journals. Programme(s) IC-INTAS - International Association for the promotion of cooperation with scientists from the independent states of the former Soviet Union (INTAS), 1993- Topic(s) 54 - Oceanology and Geohydrology Call for proposal Data not available Funding Scheme Data not available Coordinator NERC Centre of Coastal and Marine Sciences EU contribution No data Address Prospect Place West Hoe PL1 3DH Plymouth United Kingdom See on map Total cost No data Participants (3) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICAS Spain EU contribution No data Address 08193 BELLATERRA See on map Total cost No data Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas Spain EU contribution No data Address 36208 Vigo See on map Total cost No data Moscow State University M.V. Lomonosov Russia EU contribution No data Address 119899 Moscow See on map Total cost No data