Nice coupling between radium-228 and neodymium parameter distribution in oceanic surface waters

Using Radium-228 (228Ra) activity as an indicator of coastal water mass influence and a compilation of Neodymium (Nd) parameters in the first 100 m, Chen and co-authors propose that more stratified regions are generally associated with low surface Nd concentrations and that lateral mixing of Nd from coastal surface current is not the only mechanism determining the basin scale variations of surface water Nd concentrations. Their strong hypothesis is that upper ocean vertical supply may be an as yet neglected primary factor in controling this distribution. Consequently, the estimated required input flux of Nd to the surface layer to maintain the observed concentrations could be nearly two orders of magnitudes larger than riverine/dust flux, and also larger than the model-based estimation on shelf-derived coastal flux.

 

Reference:

Chen, T.-Y., J. Rempfer, M. Frank, R. Stumpf, and M. Molina-Kescher (2013), Upper ocean vertical supply: A neglected primary factor controlling the distribution of neodymium concentrations of open ocean surface waters?, J. Geophys. Res. Oceans, 118, 3887–3894, DOI:10.1002/jgrc.20288.

Latest highlights

Elevated methylmercury level in Arctic rain and aerosol linked to oceanic dimethylmercury emissions

He and colleagues highlight a previously underappreciated pathway of mercury transport, underscoring its significance to human health.

Unveiling the Complexity of Lead Distribution in the Pacific Ocean: Insights from the GEOTRACES GP15 Transect

This recent study by Jiang and colleagues investigate the distribution and sources of lead in the Pacific Ocean.

Organic matter export rates along a North-South Pacific Ocean section: what three estimating methods tell us

Quay and his colleagues present estimates of the organic matter export rate along the GEOTRACES GP15 cruise section.

East-West contrasting fate and anthropogenic inputs for dissolved trace metals in the Subarctic Pacific Ocean

Chan and co-authors report the full-depth distribution of dissolved nickel, copper, zinc, and cadmium in the North Pacific Ocean.

Rechercher