Cadmium, copper and iron in the Scotia Sea, Weddell Sea and Weddell/Scotia Confluence (Antarctica)

• Published in: Marine Chemistry
• Main Authors: Nolting, R.F., de Baar, H.J.W., Bennekom, A.J. van, Masson, A.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 1991
• Subjects: Antarctic; Scotia Sea; Southern Ocean; Weddell; Weddell Sea; Antarc*; Antarctica; North Atlantic
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/11370/fc668f76-eee0-4e76-91c7-1e6ee8863b94; https://research.rug.nl/en/publications/fc668f76-eee0-4e76-91c7-1e6ee8863b94; https://doi.org/10.1016/S0304-4203(09)90019-6; https://pure.rug.nl/ws/files/14507434/1991MarChemNolting.pdf

Until recently, little was known about trace metals in the Southern Ocean. Vertical profiles and surface water sections along 49°W exhibit Cd concentrations of 0.2–0.8 nM, increasing with depth, as for phosphate. A linear relationship between Cd and phosphate exists as in other oceans; however, the Cd/P slope at about 0.63–0.65 nM μM−1 is much higher than the generally assumed global deep water ratio of about 0.35–0.4 nM μM−1. Dissolved Cu levels range from 1 to 4 nM, increasing with depth, as for silicate. The linear relationship between Cu and silicate shows the same linear trend as in the North Atlantic Ocean, except for the shallow (less than 100 m) Antarctic waters. The South Orkneys shelf appears to be a source of dissolved Cu. Dissolved Fe levels range from 2 to 8 nM in the surface waters. Deep water Fe levels are similar. Over the South Orkneys shelf dissolved Fe is an order of magnitude higher (about 60 nM). Shelf sediments appear to be a major source for Fe; transport of weathered material by ice(bergs) may also contribute Fe to seawater.