Tritium-3He ages of deep waters in the NEW Polynya

The measurements of tritium and helium isotopes in the Northeast Water (NEW) Polynya region in the summer of 1992 and 1993 show that the deep waters in the north (Westwind Trough) are 3–5 years older than those in the south (Belgica Trough). The distribution of these tracers in the region indicates that a deep ‘flushing’ event took place between the 1992 and 1993 field studies. This result corroborates information obtained by others from hydrographic data and from year-long bottom-moored current meters.