Trace Metals Cd, Co, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn in Waters of the Sub- Antarctic and Polar Frontal Zones south of Tasmania - the 'SAZ-Sense' Study

• Main Authors: Butler, E, O'Sullivan, J, Watson, R, Bowie, AR, Remenyi, TA, Lannuzel, D
• Format: Conference Object
• Language: English
• Published: Australian Marine Sciences Association 2010
• Subjects: Earth Sciences; Oceanography; Chemical Oceanography; Antarctic; Southern Ocean; Antarc*
• Online Access: http://ecite.utas.edu.au/71344

The SAZSense (Sensitivity of the Sub-Antarctic Zone to Environmental Change) project took place in the Australian sector of the Southern Ocean (21 January 19 February 2007). Its main goal was to compare SAZ waters to the west and east of Tasmania as a model for the effects of climate change. The eastern region isrepresentative of a likely future for the SAZ generally, with incursions of warmer subtropical waters (from EAC eddies). Iron and other trace metal micronutrients were identified as key factors affecting primary productionand phytoplankton community composition in the study region. We determined Cd, Co, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn in SAZSense samples using ICPMS with in-line preconcentration of the metals by coupled flow analysis solid-phase extraction. Samples were collected at nine transect stations and three process (longer term) stations spanning waters from the Subtropical Front through the SAZ and PFZ to just south of the Polar Front (northern branch). Non-contaminating procedures were used rigorously throughout all sampling and analysis steps. The metals Cd, Co, Cu, Ni and Zn manifested bio-intermediate (nutrient-like) depth profiles universally, with diminished concentrations in surface waters to varying degrees. Whereas, Pb typically had a scavengedprofile with marginally higher concentrations near the surface. At the Polar Front, the concentration of the micronutrient metals throughout the water column was significantly greater than in SAZ waters; Pb was a contrast, with Polar Frontal waters having less of this toxicant metal than the SAZ. Most metals were at marginally higher concentrations in the SAZ to the east of Tasmania, but Zn and Pb were the opposite with more in SAZ waters to the west of Tasmania.