Rare earth elements in the Arctic Ocean

Abstract

In this paper we present the first data set for rare earth elements (REE) in the Arctic Ocean. The data are from unfiltered samples. The concentrations are La: 18.8–41.3 pM; Ce: 5.7–25; Pr: 1.4–9.9; Nd: 14.6–39.6; Sm: 2.7–7.3; Gd: 3.8–13.4; Dy: 3.7–12.3; Er: 3.6–9.6; and Yb: 2.9–8.1. The concentrations found in the deep water are lower than deep-water concentrations found elsewhere and are oceanographically consistent. Our data show that the distribution of REE are influenced by riverine input in the northern part of the investigated area. Transport of resuspended material into the water from the Barents Sea Shelf is suggested to influence the concentrations of REE in the southern part of the Nansen Basin. The covariation between REE and nutrients is opposite to that found in other oceans. The fresh water end member concentrations for the REE in the northern surface water have been calculated.