Distribution of Trace Bioelements in the Subarctic North Pacific Ocean and the Bering Sea (the R/V Hakuho Maru Cruise KH-97-2)

• Published in: Journal of oceanography Vol. 57; no. 3; pp. 261 - 273
• Main Authors: Fujishima, Y, Ueda, K, Maruo, M, Nakayama, E, Tokutome, C, Hasegawa, H, Matsui, M, Sohrin, Y
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Tokyo Springer Nature B.V 01.06.2001
• Subjects: Bacillariophyceae; Chemical analysis; Chemiluminescence; Deep water; Electrolysis; Marine; Mass spectrometry; Nutrient concentrations; Phytoplankton; Seawater; Surface water; Trace elements; Water analysis; Zinc; IN, Bering Sea; IN, North Pacific
• ISSN: 0916-8370; 1573-868X
• DOI: 10.1023/a:1012426411228

A column concentration-high resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) determination was applied to measure the total dissolved concentrations of Fe, Co, Ni, Cu and Zn in seawater collected from the subarctic North Pacific ( similar to 45 degree N) and the Bering Sea in July-September 1997. Total adsorbable Mn was determined on board by column electrolysis preconcentration and chemiluminescence detection. The vertical profiles for Fe, Ni and Zn were nutrient-like. The deep water concentration of Fe was similar to 0.5 nM in the northeast Pacific (18 degree -140 degree W) and increased to similar to 1 nM in the northwest Pacific (161 degree E) and similar to 2 nM in the Bering Sea (57 degree N, 180 degree E). The deep water concentrations for Ni and Zn in the Bering Sea were also 1.3-2 times higher than in the North Pacific. The profiles for Co and Cu were examined in the subarctic North Pacific, and results obtained were consistent with previous reports. There was a significant correlation between the concentrations of Co and Mn except for surface mixed layer. The profiles for total adsorbable Mn were similar to the reported profiles for total dissolvable Mn. The deep water concentration of Mn in the Bering Sea was also 4 times higher than in the North Pacific. Iron and zinc were depleted in surface water of the subarctic North Pacific. The relationship between these trace elements and nutrients suggests that these elements could be a limiting factor of phytoplankton productivity. In the Bering Sea, surface water contained similar to 0.3 nM of Fe. The Zn concentration, which was less than the detection limit in surface water, increased at shallower depths ( similar to 30 m) compared with the subarctic North Pacific. These results imply a higher flux of Fe and Zn to surface water in the Bering Sea. This in turn may cause the ecosystem in the Bering Sea characterized by a dominance of diatoms and high regenerated production.