A global compilation of dissolved iron measurements: focus on distributions and processes in the Southern Ocean

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dc.contributor.authorTagliabue, A
dc.contributor.authorMtshali, T
dc.contributor.authorAumont, O
dc.contributor.authorBowie, A R
dc.contributor.authorKlunder, M B
dc.contributor.authorRoychoudhury, A N
dc.contributor.authorSwart, S
dc.date.accessioned2021-10-08T06:20:14Z
dc.date.available2021-10-08T06:20:14Z
dc.date.issued2012
dc.description.abstractDue to its importance as a limiting nutrient for phytoplankton growth in large regions of the world's oceans, ocean water column observations of concentration of the trace-metal iron (Fe) have increased markedly over recent decades. Here we compile >13 000 global measurements of dissolved Fe (dFe) and make this available to the community. We then conduct a synthesis study focussed on the Southern Ocean, where dFe plays a fundamental role in governing the carbon cycle, using four regions, six basins and five depth intervals as a framework. Our analysis highlights depth-dependent trends in the properties of dFe between different regions and basins. In general, surface dFe is highest in the Atlantic basin and the Antarctic region. While attributing drivers to these patterns is uncertain, inter-basin patterns in surface dFe might be linked to differing degrees of dFe inputs, while variability in biological consumption between regions covaries with the associated surface dFe differences. Opposite to the surface, dFe concentrations at depth are typically higher in the Indian basin and the Subantarctic region. The inter-region trends can be reconciled with similar ligand variability (although only from one cruise), and the inter-basin difference might be explained by differences in hydrothermal inputs suggested by modelling studies (Tagliabue et al., 2010) that await observational confirmation. We find that even in regions where many dFe measurements exist, the processes governing the seasonal evolution of dFe remain enigmatic, suggesting that, aside from broad Subantarctic - Antarctic trends, biological consumption might not be the major driver of dFe variability. This highlights the apparent importance of other processes such as exogenous inputs, physical transport/mixing or dFe recycling processes. Nevertheless, missing measurements during key seasonal transitions make it difficult to better quantify and understand surface water replenishment processes and the seasonal Fe cycle. Finally, we detail the degree of seasonal coverage by region, basin and depth. By synthesising prior measurements, we suggest a role for different processes and highlight key gaps in understanding, which we hope can help structure future research efforts in the Southern Ocean.
dc.identifier.apacitationTagliabue, A., Mtshali, T., Aumont, O., Bowie, A. R., Klunder, M. B., Roychoudhury, A. N., & Swart, S. (2012). A global compilation of dissolved iron measurements: focus on distributions and processes in the Southern Ocean. <i>Biogeosciences</i>, 9(6), 2333 - 2349. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34231en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationTagliabue, A, T Mtshali, O Aumont, A R Bowie, M B Klunder, A N Roychoudhury, and S Swart "A global compilation of dissolved iron measurements: focus on distributions and processes in the Southern Ocean." <i>Biogeosciences</i> 9, 6. (2012): 2333 - 2349. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34231en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationTagliabue, A., Mtshali, T., Aumont, O., Bowie, A.R., Klunder, M.B., Roychoudhury, A.N. & Swart, S. 2012. A global compilation of dissolved iron measurements: focus on distributions and processes in the Southern Ocean. <i>Biogeosciences.</i> 9(6):2333 - 2349. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34231en_ZA
dc.identifier.issn1726-4170
dc.identifier.issn1726-4189
dc.identifier.ris TY - Journal Article AU - Tagliabue, A AU - Mtshali, T AU - Aumont, O AU - Bowie, A R AU - Klunder, M B AU - Roychoudhury, A N AU - Swart, S AB - Due to its importance as a limiting nutrient for phytoplankton growth in large regions of the world's oceans, ocean water column observations of concentration of the trace-metal iron (Fe) have increased markedly over recent decades. Here we compile >13 000 global measurements of dissolved Fe (dFe) and make this available to the community. We then conduct a synthesis study focussed on the Southern Ocean, where dFe plays a fundamental role in governing the carbon cycle, using four regions, six basins and five depth intervals as a framework. Our analysis highlights depth-dependent trends in the properties of dFe between different regions and basins. In general, surface dFe is highest in the Atlantic basin and the Antarctic region. While attributing drivers to these patterns is uncertain, inter-basin patterns in surface dFe might be linked to differing degrees of dFe inputs, while variability in biological consumption between regions covaries with the associated surface dFe differences. Opposite to the surface, dFe concentrations at depth are typically higher in the Indian basin and the Subantarctic region. The inter-region trends can be reconciled with similar ligand variability (although only from one cruise), and the inter-basin difference might be explained by differences in hydrothermal inputs suggested by modelling studies (Tagliabue et al., 2010) that await observational confirmation. We find that even in regions where many dFe measurements exist, the processes governing the seasonal evolution of dFe remain enigmatic, suggesting that, aside from broad Subantarctic - Antarctic trends, biological consumption might not be the major driver of dFe variability. This highlights the apparent importance of other processes such as exogenous inputs, physical transport/mixing or dFe recycling processes. Nevertheless, missing measurements during key seasonal transitions make it difficult to better quantify and understand surface water replenishment processes and the seasonal Fe cycle. Finally, we detail the degree of seasonal coverage by region, basin and depth. By synthesising prior measurements, we suggest a role for different processes and highlight key gaps in understanding, which we hope can help structure future research efforts in the Southern Ocean. DA - 2012 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town IS - 6 J1 - Biogeosciences LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PY - 2012 SM - 1726-4170 SM - 1726-4189 T1 - A global compilation of dissolved iron measurements: focus on distributions and processes in the Southern Ocean TI - A global compilation of dissolved iron measurements: focus on distributions and processes in the Southern Ocean UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34231 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/34231
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationTagliabue A, Mtshali T, Aumont O, Bowie AR, Klunder MB, Roychoudhury AN, et al. A global compilation of dissolved iron measurements: focus on distributions and processes in the Southern Ocean. Biogeosciences. 2012;9(6):2333 - 2349. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34231.en_ZA
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Oceanography
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Science
dc.sourceBiogeosciences
dc.source.journalissue6
dc.source.journalvolume9
dc.source.pagination2333 - 2349
dc.source.urihttps://dx.doi.org/10.5194/bg-9-2333-2012
dc.subject.otherBurns
dc.subject.otherDisaster Planning
dc.subject.otherHumans
dc.subject.otherMass Casualty Incidents
dc.subject.otherNational Health Programs
dc.subject.otherPractice Guidelines as Topic
dc.subject.otherSocieties, Medical
dc.subject.otherSouth Africa
dc.titleA global compilation of dissolved iron measurements: focus on distributions and processes in the Southern Ocean
dc.typeJournal Article
uct.type.publicationResearch
uct.type.resourceJournal Article
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