Natural copper-binding ligands in the Arctic Ocean. The influence of the Transpolar Drift (GEOTRACES GN04)
The Arctic Ocean is a unique biogeochemical environment characterized by low salinity surface waters, extensive sea-ice coverage, high riverine inputs, large shelf extension and the long residence time of deep waters. These characteristics determine the distribution of dissolved bio-essential trace...
Published in: | Frontiers in Marine Science |
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Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
Other Authors: | |
Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
Language: | unknown |
Published: |
Frontiers Media SA
2023
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Subjects: | |
Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1306278 https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2023.1306278/full |
Summary: | The Arctic Ocean is a unique biogeochemical environment characterized by low salinity surface waters, extensive sea-ice coverage, high riverine inputs, large shelf extension and the long residence time of deep waters. These characteristics determine the distribution of dissolved bio-essential trace metals, such as copper (Cu), and the dissolved organic-binding ligands capable of complexing it. This work reports the concentrations and conditional stability constants of dissolved Cu-binding ligands (L Cu and log K cond Cu2+L ) measured in samples from the Polarstern (PS94) expedition, as part of the international GEOTRACES program (cruise GN04). Full-depth profile stations from the Barents Sea, Nansen Basin, Amundsen Basin and Makarov Basin were analysed by competitive ligand exchange-adsorptive cathodic stripping voltammetry (CLE-AdCSV). The basins and water masses presented a wide range of L Cu concentrations (range: 1.40 – 7.91 nM) and log K cond Cu2+L values (range: 13.83 – 16.01). The highest variability of Cu-binding ligand concentrations was observed in surface waters (≤200 m), and mean concentrations increased from the Barents Sea and Nansen Basin (2.15 ± 0.31 nM and 1.93 ± 0.35 nM, respectively) to the Amundsen (3.84 ± 1.69 nM) and Makarov Basins (4.40± 2.03 nM). The influence of the Transpolar Drift (TDP) flow path was observed in the Amundsen and Makarov Basins, especially on Cu-binding ligand concentrations (L Cu range: 3.96 – 7.91 nM). In contrast, deep waters (>200 m) showed no significant differences between basins and water masses in terms of L Cu concentrations (range: 1.45 – 2.78 nM) and log K cond Cu2+L (range: 14.02 – 15.46). The presence of strong Cu-binding ligands (log K cond Cu2+L >13) in surface waters stabilises the excess of dissolved copper (dCu) transported in the TPD and favours its export to the Fram Strait and Nordic Seas. |
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