Automated High Resolution Determination of the Trace Elements Iron and Aluminium in the Surface Ocean Using a Towed Fish Coupled to Flow Injection Analysis

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-1-2000

Department

Marine Science

Abstract

A towed surface sampling device coupled to two automated flow injection analysis (FIA) systems is described. The towed system permits uncontaminated sampling of seawater from research vessels while underway at full speed. Coupling the sampler to the FIA systems permits automatic determination of Al and Fe in surface waters at natural levels at 5 min intervals, equivalent to similar to 1.5 km spacing at a ship speed of 10 knots (5 m s(-1)). Results from the tropical Atlantic indicate significant (50%) variation in concentrations of both Al and Fe on space scales of less than 90 km. The combined system facilitates surface mapping of large regions of the ocean for dissolved Al and Fe, thus identifying the sites and magnitude of eolian deposition to the surface ocean. In combination with the determination of nutrients and other biological parameters this permits the investigation of the role that eolian deposition plays in modifying surface water biogeochemical cycles. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Publication Title

Deep-Sea Research Part I-Oceanographic Research Papers

Volume

47

Issue

6

First Page

1141

Last Page

1156

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