Enhancing effect of marine oligotrophy on environmental concentrations of particle-reactive trace elements
A biogeochemical model has been previously developed that explains the inverse and nonlinear relationship between Po-210 concentration in zooplankton and their biomass, under oligotrophic conditions in French Polynesia. In this study the model structure was reviewed to determine a set of biogeochemical behaviors of Po-210, proposed to be critical to its environmental enhancement under oligotrophy: this set was then used to identify 25 other elements with comparable behaviors to Po-210. Field investigation in the Timor Sea showed that four of these a priori identified elements, viz. Cd, Co, Pb, and Mn as well as Cr and Ni, showed elevated water concentrations with reduced particle removal rates in the euphotic zone, results that are consistent with those previously obtained for Po-210 and the proposed explanatory model. These findings point to the enhanced susceptibility to contamination with particle-reactive elements of oligotrophic marine systems, whose degree and geographic extent may be enhanced by projected increases in sea surface temperatures from global warming.
- Research Organization:
- ANSTO, Menai (AU)
- OSTI ID:
- 20080457
- Journal Information:
- Environmental Science and Technology, Vol. 34, Issue 10; Other Information: PBD: 15 May 2000; ISSN 0013-936X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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