RESUMEN
Continental shelves and shelf seas play a central role in the global carbon cycle. However, their importance with respect to trace element and isotope (TEI) inputs to ocean basins is less well understood. Here, we present major findings on shelf TEI biogeochemistry from the GEOTRACES programme as well as a proof of concept for a new method to estimate shelf TEI fluxes. The case studies focus on advances in our understanding of TEI cycling in the Arctic, transformations within a major river estuary (Amazon), shelf sediment micronutrient fluxes and basin-scale estimates of submarine groundwater discharge. The proposed shelf flux tracer is 228-radium (T1/2 = 5.75â yr), which is continuously supplied to the shelf from coastal aquifers, sediment porewater exchange and rivers. Model-derived shelf 228Ra fluxes are combined with TEI/ 228Ra ratios to quantify ocean TEI fluxes from the western North Atlantic margin. The results from this new approach agree well with previous estimates for shelf Co, Fe, Mn and Zn inputs and exceed published estimates of atmospheric deposition by factors of approximately 3-23. Lastly, recommendations are made for additional GEOTRACES process studies and coastal margin-focused section cruises that will help refine the model and provide better insight on the mechanisms driving shelf-derived TEI fluxes to the ocean.This article is part of the themed issue 'Biological and climatic impacts of ocean trace element chemistry'.
RESUMEN
A new preconcentration technique for the determination of the concentration and isotopic composition of neodymium in aqueous samples is presented. The method uses a resin, Nobias PA1 from Hitachi High-Technologies, which has a hydrophilic methacrylate polymer backbone where the functional groups ethylenediaminetriacetic and iminodiacetic acids are immobilized. The function of the resin has been tested by preconcentrating 110-350 pmol of Nd from test solutions as well as from natural brackish water and seawater samples with different salinities and Nd concentrations. Samples were loaded onto the resin after the pH was adjusted, and the Nd fraction was eluted using 3 M HNO(3). The method shows yields of about 90% or higher at pH 6 when the samples were buffered using ammonium acetate. Without the addition of buffer the yield decreased to below 80%. The isotopic composition of Nd in samples preconcentrated using Nobias PA1 agree within error with published data or data obtained by other methods. The total blank, including contributions from preconcentration, separation, and mass spectrometry, is estimated to be 0.2-0.4 pmol (30-60 pg) of Nd. The described preconcentration method, which can be used in the field, is easy, fast (about 8 h for a 3.6 kg sample), and reliable for preconcentration of Nd from a seawater matrix.
