Articles scientifiques
Klaus Kremling (1985)
The distribution of cadmium, copper, nickel, manganese, and aluminium in surface waters of the open Atlantic and European shelf area
Deep Sea Research Part A. Oceanographic Research Papers, 32(5):531–555.
A total of 232 surface water samples (6 m depth) was collected in the open Atlantic Ocean and in the Brazilian and northwest European shelf areas during three transects between 23°S and 59°N in October/November 1980, August/September 1981, and March/April 1982. The open Atlantic cadmium, copper, and nickel concentrations increase towards higher latitudes with averages (nmol kg−1 ± 1 s) and ranges of 0.002 to 0.10 (0.040 ± 0.026) Cd; 0.86 ± 0.34 (1.28 ± 0.26) Cu; and 1.88 ± 0.66 (3.40 ± 0.61) Ni in the regions 7°S to 35°N and 35° to 59°N, respectively. These elevations are probably the result of the biogeochemical cycles of these elements and of the hydrographical regimes in those regions. The manganese and aluminium distributions show a different geographical pattern with maximum concentrations in the region between around 10°N to 30°N which probably originate from aeolian input (Sahara dust). The mean values are 2.74 ± 1.01 Mn and 25.4 ± 7.3 Al (nmol kg−1) in comparison to ‘background’ values of around 1.0 Mn and 15 Al, respectively. A significant increase of all metals studied is observed at the northwest European shelf edge area. A comparison with waters of the central North Sea indicates enrichment factors of about 3 to 5 for the metals investigated here. The mechanisms that potentially may affect the shelf water concentrations are discussed on the basis of their relations with salinity.
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