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Queroue et al 2015.pdf (3.11 MB)

High variability in dissolved iron concentrations in the vicinity of the Kerguelen Islands (Southern Ocean)

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posted on 2023-05-18, 13:45 authored by Queroue, F, Sarthou, G, Planquette, HF, Bucciarelli, E, Chever, F, Pier van der MerwePier van der Merwe, Delphine LannuzelDelphine Lannuzel, Ashley TownsendAshley Townsend, Cheize, M, Blain, S, d'Ovidio, F, Andrew BowieAndrew Bowie
Dissolved Fe (dFe) concentrations were measured in the upper 1300 m of the water column in the vicinity of the Kerguelen Islands as part of the second Kerguelen Ocean Plateau compared Study (KEOPS2). Concentrations ranged from 0.06 nmol L−1 in offshore, Southern Ocean waters to 3.82 nmol L−1 within Hillsborough Bay, on the north-eastern coast of the Kerguelen Islands. Direct island runoff, glacial melting and resuspended sediments were identified as important inputs of dFe that could potentially fertilise the northern part of the plateau. A significant deep dFe enrichment was observed over the plateau with dFe concentrations increasing up to 1.30 nmol L−1 close to the seafloor, probably due to sediment resuspension and pore water release. Biological uptake was shown to induce a significant decrease in dFe concentrations between two visits (28 days apart) at a station above the plateau. Our work also considered other processes and sources, such as lateral advection of enriched seawater, remineralisation processes, and the influence of the polar front (PF) as a vector for Fe transport. Overall, heterogeneous sources of Fe over and off the Kerguelen Plateau, in addition to strong variability in Fe supply by vertical or horizontal transport, may explain the high variability in dFe concentrations observed during this study.

History

Publication title

Biogeosciences

Volume

12

Issue

12

Pagination

3869-3883

ISSN

1726-4170

Department/School

Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies

Publisher

Copernicus GmbH

Place of publication

Germany

Rights statement

Copyright 2015 The Authors Licenced under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Repository Status

  • Open

Socio-economic Objectives

Measurement and assessment of marine water quality and condition

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