Impact of atmospheric deposition on the contrasting iron biogeochemistry of the North and South Atlantic Ocean

Ussher, Simon J., Achterberg, Eric P., Powell, Claire, Baker, Alex R. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8365-8953, Jickells, Tim D., Torres, Ricardo and Worsfold, Paul J. (2013) Impact of atmospheric deposition on the contrasting iron biogeochemistry of the North and South Atlantic Ocean. Global Biogeochemical Cycles, 27 (4). pp. 1096-1107. ISSN 0886-6236

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Abstract

Dissolved iron (dFe) distributions, atmospheric and vertical subduction fluxes of dFe were determined in the upper water column for two meridional transects of the Atlantic Ocean. The data demonstrate the disparity between the iron biogeochemistry of the North and South Atlantic Ocean and show well defined gradients of size fractionated iron species in surface waters between geographic provinces. The highest dFe and lowest mixed layer residence times (0.4-2.7 y) were found in the northern tropical and subtropical regions. In contrast, the South Atlantic Gyre had lower dFe concentrations (<0.4 nM) and much longer residence times (> 5 y), presumably due to lower atmospheric inputs and more efficient biological recycling of iron in this region. Vertical input fluxes of dFe to surface waters ranged from 20 - 170?nmol?m-2 d-1 in the North Atlantic and tropical provinces, whereas average fluxes of 6 - 13?nmol?m-2 d-1 were estimated for the South Atlantic. Our estimates showed that the variable dFe distribution over the surface Atlantic (<0.1 – 2.0 nM) predominantly reflected atmospheric Fe deposition fluxes (>50% of total vertical Fe flux to surface waters) rather than upwelling or vertical mixing. This demonstrates the strength of the connection between land-derived atmospheric Fe fluxes and the biological cycling of carbon and nitrogen in the Atlantic Ocean.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	©2013. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved. Funded by: NERC. Grant Number: NER/A/S/2003/00489 and AMT Consortium. Grant Numbers: NER/O/S2001/00680, NE/c001737/1
Uncontrolled Keywords:	iron,atlantic ocean,atmospheric deposition,aluminium
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Science > School of Environmental Sciences Faculty of Science > School of Natural Sciences (former - to 2024) University of East Anglia Research Groups/Centres > Theme - ClimateUEA
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Centre for Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences
Depositing User:	Pure Connector
Date Deposited:	21 Oct 2013 20:46
Last Modified:	17 Dec 2024 01:19
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/43747
DOI:	10.1002/gbc.20056

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