Deep dissolved iron profiles in the eastern North Atlantic in relation to water masses

Laës, A., Blain, S., Laan, P., Achterberg, E.P., Sarthou, G. and De Baar, H.J.W. (2003) Deep dissolved iron profiles in the eastern North Atlantic in relation to water masses. Geophysical Research Letters, 30, 1902. (doi:10.1029/2003GL017902).

Abstract

Concentrations of dissolved iron (DFe, 0.2?m) were determined at two stations in the Biscay Abyssal Plain (North East Atlantic) in March 2002. DFe concentrations in the surface layer (0.23–0.34 nM) were typical of winter conditions in this area. At 1000 m, DFe concentrations increased to 0.62–0.86 nM. This feature is consistent with the production of DFe by remineralization of the biogenic material. However, at this depth, Mediterranean Outflow Water (MOW) could be an additional source of DFe. Below 2500 m, DFe concentrations were constant (0.75 ± 0.04 nM). An interesting feature of the profiles was the intermediate maximum of DFe (1.19–1.12 nM) around 2000 m, associated with the Labrador Sea Water (LSW). We suggest that the iron enrichment of LSW occurred when this water mass reached the continental margin, likely in the vicinity of the Goban plateau. Vertical distributions were highly dependent on water masses encountered.

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