Preview

PDF (Published version) 3Mb

Despite widespread iron (Fe) limitation in the Southern Ocean, intense phytoplankton blooms are observed around productive coastal regions such as the Mertz Polynya (off George V Land and Adelie Land, East Antarctica; 140-155 degrees E). Sources of Fe across coastal East Antarctica vary, with limited data available for late summer months. We investigated the sources of dissolved Fe (dFe; <0.2 mu m) at 19 oceanographic stations in the Mertz Glacier Region (64-67 degrees S; 138-154 degrees E), between January and March of 2019. Concentrations of dFe ranged from below detection limit (0.03 nM) at the surface, to 0.34 nM above the base of the mixed layer (35 m), reaching 0.59 nM at depth (520 m). Using oceanographic features and trace element ratios (manganese and titanium), we identified Circumpolar Deep Water (CDW) and shelf sediment resuspension in modified CDW as contributors of dFe to the region over this period. Microbial Fe remineralization was evident where nutrient-rich water met highly oxygenated waters over the continental shelf. Reduced Fe concentrations in the mixed layer and euphotic zones suggested rapid biological uptake prior to sampling. Despite proposals for pelagic Fe recycling by marine animals, preliminary investigations reveal no significant spatial relationship between animal presence and surface ocean Fe concentrations over the study area. Further research is required to identify seasonal changes to Fe supply in coastal areas which will strengthen our understanding of the Fe cycle and its influence on microbial and primary productivity in this globally significant region.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	biogeochemistry, dissolved trace elements, manganese, titanium, coastal
Research Division:	Biological Sciences
Research Group:	Ecology
Research Field:	Marine and estuarine ecology (incl. marine ichthyology)
Objective Division:	Environmental Management
Objective Group:	Terrestrial systems and management
Objective Field:	Assessment and management of terrestrial ecosystems
UTAS Author:	Smith, AJR (Dr Abigail Smith)
UTAS Author:	Ratnarajah, L (Dr Lavenia Ratnarajah)
UTAS Author:	Holmes, TM (Dr Thomas Holmes)
UTAS Author:	Wuttig, K (Dr Kathrin Wuttig)
UTAS Author:	Townsend, AT (Associate Professor Ashley Townsend)
UTAS Author:	Bell, E (Miss Elizabeth Bell)
UTAS Author:	Nicol, S (Dr Stephen Nicol)
UTAS Author:	Lannuzel, D (Associate Professor Delphine Lannuzel)
ID Code:	152328
Year Published:	2021
Web of Science® Times Cited:	5
Deposited By:	Australian Antarctic Program Partnership
Deposited On:	2022-08-17
Last Modified:	2022-12-06
Downloads:	1 View Download Statistics