Sedimentation rates in the North Water between September 1997 and July 1999 were calculated from integrated monthly values for dry and organic matter, organic carbon, nitrogen, and sum-chloropigments, using pairs of multi-cup sediment traps moored at two depths >200m at five stations. Highest fluxes in upper traps (144 and 297gm - 2 yr - 1 , 8 and 12gCm - 2 yr - 1 ) occurred near Ellesmere Island at the western end of a cross-polynya transect (76 o N). Rates to the east under the West Greenland Current (35 and 124gm - 2 yr - 1 , 4 and 7gCm - 2 yr - 1 ) were higher than those in the central area of the polynya (13 and 39gm - 2 yr - 1 , 1.4 and 2.6gCm - 2 yr - 1 ) and to the north at the entrance to Kane Basin (78 o N), where levels of inorganic matter in settled material were relatively high (50gm - 2 yr - 1 , 1.8gCm - 2 yr - 1 ). Minimum fluxes in upper traps (4.2gm - 2 yr - 1 , 0.7gCm - 2 yr - 1 ) were measured at the southern limit of the polynya in northern Baffin Bay (75 o N). Annual fluxes of particulate matter in the polynya between 1997 and 1999 (4-308gm - 2 yr - 1 , 1-14gCm - 2 yr - 1 ) are higher than previously reported for ice-covered arctic regions. There was a similar seasonal progression at all locations with sedimentation rates increasing from winter minima during March followed by a larger secondary peak of maximum particle flux between June and September. Maximum sedimentation occurred earlier (April-June) on the eastern side of the polynya than off the coast of Ellesmere Island (July-September). High fluxes were sustained through late fall and early winter months at sites close to the coasts of both Greenland and Ellesmere Island. At most stations 40-50% of the annual organic matter sedimentation occurred during a prolonged period of high sedimentation between June and October. Sedimentation rates at 50m above bottom were 30-50% higher than at shallower depths and settled material contained higher amounts of inorganic matter. Annual fluxes for all variables at four stations where between-year comparisons could be made showed that rates were two to five times higher in the second year of the study.