of subsurface water. These substantial changes would affect the ecosystem,
especially the valuable pollock fish stock (Stabeno et al., 1999). It is
not known how changes in the AS flux affect the ecosystem in the OS.
In this study, we investigate the impact of interannual variations in
the AS surface flux on flows, temperature, ice coverage, plankton
biomass, and walleye pollock stock in the eastern OS. We demonstrate
a correlation between the interannual changes of the AS flow and the
surface fluxes in the eastern OS. Our results indicate that changes in
the AS flow may be responsible for the interannual variations of
temperature, ice extent, and zooplankton biomass in the eastern OS.