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Dissolved trace metals (Ni, Zn, Co, Cd, Pb, Al, and Mn) around the Crozet Islands, Southern Ocean
Author(s) -
Castrillejo Maxi,
Statham Peter J.,
Fones Gary R.,
Planquette Hélène,
Idrus Farah,
Roberts Keiron
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of geophysical research: oceans
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2169-9291
pISSN - 2169-9275
DOI - 10.1002/jgrc.20359
Subject(s) - cadmium , bloom , phytoplankton , oceanography , manganese , zinc , water column , environmental chemistry , trace metal , environmental science , trichodesmium , nutrient , metal , geology , chemistry , materials science , metallurgy , nitrogen , organic chemistry , diazotroph , nitrogen fixation
A phytoplankton bloom shown to be naturally iron (Fe) induced occurs north of the Crozet Islands (Southern Ocean) every year, providing an ideal opportunity to study dissolved trace metal distributions within an island system located in a high nutrient low chlorophyll (HNLC) region. We present water column profiles of dissolved nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), cobalt (Co), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), aluminium (Al), and manganese (Mn) obtained as part of the NERC CROZEX program during austral summer (2004–2005). Two stations (M3 and M1) were sampled downstream (north) of Crozet in the bloom area and near the islands, along with a control station (M2) in the HNLC zone upstream (south) of the islands. The general range found was for Ni, 4.64–6.31 nM; Zn, 1.59–7.75 nM; Co, 24–49 pM; Cd, 135–673 pM; Pb, 6–22 pM; Al, 0.13–2.15 nM; and Mn, 0.07–0.64 nM. Vertical profiles indicate little island influence to the south with values in the range of other trace metal deprived regions of the Southern Ocean. Significant removal of Ni and Cd was observed in the bloom and Zn was moderately correlated with reactive silicate (Si) indicating diatom control over the internal cycling of this metal. Higher concentrations of Zn and Cd were observed near the islands. Pb, Al, and Mn distributions also suggest small but significant atmospheric dust supply particularly in the northern region.