Vertical distribution of prokaryote production and abundance in the mesopelagic and bathypelagic layers of the Canada Basin, western Arctic: Implications for the mode and extent of organic carbon delivery

► We examined prokaryote production and biomass in the interior of the Canada Basin. ► Prokaryote production and biomass were high in the Pacific-origin water mass. ► Depth-integrated production was much lower than those in the subpolar regions. ► Prokaryote carbon demand largely exceeded sinking particulate organic carbon flux. ► Lateral organic carbon delivery may partly explain large prokaryote carbon demand.