The metabolic processes of calcification and production serve as crucial indicators of how environmental changes impact reef health. Previous studies suggest that Net Ecosystem Production (NEP) primarily drives Net Ecosystem Calcification (NEC) in the short-term. However, the functional relationship between these two carbon metabolisms remains poorly understood. We employed a mooring buoy approach to obtain simultaneous, high-frequency data of seawater pH, aragonite saturation state, CO2 fluxes, and carbon metabolic rates over a coral reef on Weizhou Island for 37 consecutive days. Our findings revealed a strong linear correlation between NEC and NEP across both diel cycles and day-to-day timescales—this relationship held even when analyzing nighttime periods alone. This indicates an intrinsic link between carbon metabolisms that can operate independently of light. Furthermore, we observed predominantly negative daily NEC and NEP values, indicating persistent net CaCO3 dissolution and net heterotrophy across the studied reef for over weeks. Our results suggest that CaCO3 dissolution is more likely to occur in waters with heterotrophic conditions, implying that heterotrophy contributes to CaCO3 dissolution. This tight coupling could be explained by reef sediment dissolution through the Carbonate Critical Threshold (CCT) mechanism. Our study highlights the significance of ambient respiration in driving reef ecosystem-scale CaCO3 dissolution, especially in reefs with low live hard coral coverage. This process releases alkalinity into the seawater, helping to neutralize respiration-induced acidification. Additionally, we identified a higher rate of respiratory CO₂ release as the primary driver of CO2 emissions from the studied reef.
{"title":"Dynamics of ocean acidity, CO2 fluxes and metabolic rates on a shallow reef of Weizhou Island: a buoy-based observational study","authors":"Xu Dong , Baohong Chen , Jianjia Wang , Xinqing Zheng","doi":"10.1016/j.marchem.2025.104549","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.marchem.2025.104549","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The metabolic processes of calcification and production serve as crucial indicators of how environmental changes impact reef health. Previous studies suggest that Net Ecosystem Production (NEP) primarily drives Net Ecosystem Calcification (NEC) in the short-term. However, the functional relationship between these two carbon metabolisms remains poorly understood. We employed a mooring buoy approach to obtain simultaneous, high-frequency data of seawater pH, aragonite saturation state, CO<sub>2</sub> fluxes, and carbon metabolic rates over a coral reef on Weizhou Island for 37 consecutive days. Our findings revealed a strong linear correlation between NEC and NEP across both diel cycles and day-to-day timescales—this relationship held even when analyzing nighttime periods alone. This indicates an intrinsic link between carbon metabolisms that can operate independently of light. Furthermore, we observed predominantly negative daily NEC and NEP values, indicating persistent net CaCO<sub>3</sub> dissolution and net heterotrophy across the studied reef for over weeks. Our results suggest that CaCO<sub>3</sub> dissolution is more likely to occur in waters with heterotrophic conditions, implying that heterotrophy contributes to CaCO<sub>3</sub> dissolution. This tight coupling could be explained by reef sediment dissolution through the Carbonate Critical Threshold (CCT) mechanism. Our study highlights the significance of ambient respiration in driving reef ecosystem-scale CaCO<sub>3</sub> dissolution, especially in reefs with low live hard coral coverage. This process releases alkalinity into the seawater, helping to neutralize respiration-induced acidification. Additionally, we identified a higher rate of respiratory CO₂ release as the primary driver of CO<sub>2</sub> emissions from the studied reef.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18219,"journal":{"name":"Marine Chemistry","volume":"272 ","pages":"Article 104549"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144722316","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The surface microlayer (SML) is a 10s–100s μm thick layer which mediates fluxes across the air-sea interface. Organic matter (OM) enrichments at the SML are known to influence SML physical properties and air-sea exchanges, but the role of detailed molecular level OM composition in influencing those processes hasn't been fully explored. SML and subsurface (SUB, 8–15 cm) water at four stations encompassing different influences (marine/fluvial/salt marsh) on the Delaware Bay system were sampled and examined for relationships between SML/SUB OM composition and surface tension. Samples collected December 2018–October 2019 show SML dissolved organic carbon (DOC) enrichments of 0.87 to 4.42 times the SUB concentration. Excitation-emission matrix spectroscopy (EEMs) and negative electrospray ionization (-ESI) Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) show marine samples have higher contributions from photobleached material and higher relative abundances of CHON compounds relative to inner bay sites, respectively. Principal component analyses further reveal consistent differences in SML OM composition relative to SUB. The SML contains higher abundances of compounds with H/C > 1.7 and O/C < 0.2, including sulfur-containing compounds - compositions suggestive of surfactant-like molecules, able to depress surface tension at the air-sea interface. Surface tension depressions were significantly correlated with unsaturated aliphatic and sulfur-containing compounds identified from FT-ICR MS data, yet showed no relationship with DOC abundances or enrichments, highlighting the need for compositional assessments for understanding OM influences on SML properties and air-sea exchanges. The sources and structures of SML surfactant molecules should be a focus of future work.
{"title":"Unsaturated aliphatic and sulfur-containing organic matter as surfactants in the surface microlayer","authors":"N.R. Coffey , F.E. Agblemanyo , A.M. McKenna , A.S. Wozniak","doi":"10.1016/j.marchem.2025.104547","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.marchem.2025.104547","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The surface microlayer (SML) is a 10s–100s μm thick layer which mediates fluxes across the air-sea interface. Organic matter (OM) enrichments at the SML are known to influence SML physical properties and air-sea exchanges, but the role of detailed molecular level OM composition in influencing those processes hasn't been fully explored. SML and subsurface (SUB, 8–15 cm) water at four stations encompassing different influences (marine/fluvial/salt marsh) on the Delaware Bay system were sampled and examined for relationships between SML/SUB OM composition and surface tension. Samples collected December 2018–October 2019 show SML dissolved organic carbon (DOC) enrichments of 0.87 to 4.42 times the SUB concentration. Excitation-emission matrix spectroscopy (EEMs) and negative electrospray ionization (-ESI) Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) show marine samples have higher contributions from photobleached material and higher relative abundances of CHON compounds relative to inner bay sites, respectively. Principal component analyses further reveal consistent differences in SML OM composition relative to SUB. The SML contains higher abundances of compounds with H/C > 1.7 and O/C < 0.2, including sulfur-containing compounds - compositions suggestive of surfactant-like molecules, able to depress surface tension at the air-sea interface. Surface tension depressions were significantly correlated with unsaturated aliphatic and sulfur-containing compounds identified from FT-ICR MS data, yet showed no relationship with DOC abundances or enrichments, highlighting the need for compositional assessments for understanding OM influences on SML properties and air-sea exchanges. The sources and structures of SML surfactant molecules should be a focus of future work.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18219,"journal":{"name":"Marine Chemistry","volume":"272 ","pages":"Article 104547"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144703845","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-07-20DOI: 10.1016/j.marchem.2025.104545
Alexandra B. MacFarland , Wendell W. Walters , Katye E. Altieri , Meredith G. Hastings
Anthropogenic nitrogen (N) deposition entering the ocean from the atmosphere has increased over time. Ammonia (NH3), a precursor to ammonium (NH4+), is released into the atmosphere via both natural sources (e.g., ammonification, biomass burning, waste products, surface ocean emissions) and anthropogenic sources (e.g., agriculture, industry, sewage, vehicle emissions). Studies disagree on the quantity of anthropogenic N deposition to the ocean, as well as the consequences this excess N poses to the biogeochemistry of the open ocean, particularly in the Pacific Ocean. Understanding the current role that the open ocean is playing in the N cycle and budget is essential to determine the sources of N (e.g., internal or external, recycled or excess) and to further distinguish the relationships between atmospheric and oceanic N. Therefore, in the current study, ion concentrations and ammonium isotope values (δ15N-NH4+) were measured for aerosol samples collected on the coast of Oahu, Hawaii from 2021 to 2022 (n = 67). This location was chosen based on low anthropogenic activity, access to the open ocean, and the premise of a dominant marine signal. Particulate NH4+ concentrations ([NH4+]) averaged 3.7 ± 7.3 ng/m3, with no distinct seasonality (p > 0.05). The δ15N-NH4+ values also did not exhibit distinct seasonality (p > 0.05), but did fall into three unique clusters (using a K-means clustering analysis): cluster one = 19.0 ± 3.9 ‰ (n = 8), cluster two = 4.1 ± 2.3 ‰ (n = 31), and cluster three = −3.3 ± 2.4 ‰ (n = 13). Cluster three was best explained as an ocean emissions signature, which was determined via a phase partitioning model that incorporated N isotope fractionation associated with NH3 conversion to NH4+. Cluster one had higher than average [NH4+] along with air mass origins from two seabird sanctuaries and was hypothesized to be a seabird emission signature. Cluster two was considered a mix of these two sources (67 % marine, 33 % seabird emissions). 6 % of aerosol inorganic N (NH4+ + nitrate; annual dry inorganic N = 5.5 ng/m3) is from [NH4+], with 35 % resulting from seabird emissions. The annual inorganic N (IN; NO3− + NH4+) dry deposition value for this site was 1.2 ± 1.1 Tg N·y−1.
{"title":"Investigation of open ocean ammonium aerosol sources in the North Pacific Ocean (Oahu, Hawaii)","authors":"Alexandra B. MacFarland , Wendell W. Walters , Katye E. Altieri , Meredith G. Hastings","doi":"10.1016/j.marchem.2025.104545","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.marchem.2025.104545","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Anthropogenic nitrogen (N) deposition entering the ocean from the atmosphere has increased over time. Ammonia (NH<sub>3</sub>), a precursor to ammonium (NH<sub>4</sub><sup>+</sup>), is released into the atmosphere via both natural sources (e.g., ammonification, biomass burning, waste products, surface ocean emissions) and anthropogenic sources (e.g., agriculture, industry, sewage, vehicle emissions). Studies disagree on the quantity of anthropogenic N deposition to the ocean, as well as the consequences this excess N poses to the biogeochemistry of the open ocean, particularly in the Pacific Ocean. Understanding the current role that the open ocean is playing in the N cycle and budget is essential to determine the sources of N (e.g., internal or external, recycled or excess) and to further distinguish the relationships between atmospheric and oceanic N. Therefore, in the current study, ion concentrations and ammonium isotope values (δ<sup>15</sup>N-NH<sub>4</sub><sup>+</sup>) were measured for aerosol samples collected on the coast of Oahu, Hawaii from 2021 to 2022 (<em>n</em> = 67). This location was chosen based on low anthropogenic activity, access to the open ocean, and the premise of a dominant marine signal. Particulate NH<sub>4</sub><sup>+</sup> concentrations ([NH<sub>4</sub><sup>+</sup>]) averaged 3.7 ± 7.3 ng/m<sup>3</sup>, with no distinct seasonality (<em>p</em> > 0.05). The δ<sup>15</sup>N-NH<sub>4</sub><sup>+</sup> values also did not exhibit distinct seasonality (<em>p</em> > 0.05), but did fall into three unique clusters (using a K-means clustering analysis): cluster one = 19.0 ± 3.9 ‰ (<em>n</em> = 8), cluster two = 4.1 ± 2.3 ‰ (<em>n</em> = 31), and cluster three = −3.3 ± 2.4 ‰ (<em>n</em> = 13). Cluster three was best explained as an ocean emissions signature, which was determined via a phase partitioning model that incorporated N isotope fractionation associated with NH<sub>3</sub> conversion to NH<sub>4</sub><sup>+</sup>. Cluster one had higher than average [NH<sub>4</sub><sup>+</sup>] along with air mass origins from two seabird sanctuaries and was hypothesized to be a seabird emission signature. Cluster two was considered a mix of these two sources (67 % marine, 33 % seabird emissions). 6 % of aerosol inorganic N (NH<sub>4</sub><sup>+</sup> + nitrate; annual dry inorganic <em>N</em> = 5.5 ng/m<sup>3</sup>) is from [NH<sub>4</sub><sup>+</sup>], with 35 % resulting from seabird emissions. The annual inorganic N (IN; NO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup> + NH<sub>4</sub><sup>+</sup>) dry deposition value for this site was 1.2 ± 1.1 Tg N·y<sup>−1</sup>.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18219,"journal":{"name":"Marine Chemistry","volume":"272 ","pages":"Article 104545"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144767061","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-07-17DOI: 10.1016/j.marchem.2025.104546
Mi Seon Kim , Man Sik Choi , Tae Siek Rhee
Major nutrients—nitrate, phosphate, and silicate—are fundamental building blocks of marine biomass. To understand the flow of material and energy in the ecosystem, it is essential to accurately quantify nutrients concentrations. When shipboard analysis is not possible, seawater samples must be preserved without altering their contents. In this study, we investigated a range of commonly used preservation methods, including filtration, chemical poisoning with HgCl2, and freezing at −20 °C or − 80 °C without pre-treatment, all aimed at minimizing biological activities. We also evaluated the effects of sample storage periods and thawing periods required before analysis in freezing treatments to determine their impact on nutrients contents. Using four different statistical methods, we assessed a total of 19 experiments to identify the most effective preservation method. Comparison between filtered and untreated seawater samples showed no detectable effect on the preservation by filtration. Deviations from shipboard measurement were detected in samples stored in a freezer, even at −80 °C. On the other hand, the nutrient content in the poisoned samples remained virtually intact. The deficiency in nutrient content observed during prolonged freezing and thawing or storage in a refrigerator at 4 °C, compared to shipboard measurements, aligns with the Redfield relationship reported in the Arctic Ocean, suggesting that biological activities occurred either within brine channels during freezing, during refrigerated storage, or both, likely due to viable cold-adapted microbes. Although our findings are based on polar seawater samples, potential biological activities during storage and post-treatment should be carefully examined in the other oceanic regions.
{"title":"Comparative assessment of preservation methods for major nutrients in polar seawater","authors":"Mi Seon Kim , Man Sik Choi , Tae Siek Rhee","doi":"10.1016/j.marchem.2025.104546","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.marchem.2025.104546","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Major nutrients—nitrate, phosphate, and silicate—are fundamental building blocks of marine biomass. To understand the flow of material and energy in the ecosystem, it is essential to accurately quantify nutrients concentrations. When shipboard analysis is not possible, seawater samples must be preserved without altering their contents. In this study, we investigated a range of commonly used preservation methods, including filtration, chemical poisoning with HgCl<sub>2</sub>, and freezing at −20 °C or − 80 °C without pre-treatment, all aimed at minimizing biological activities. We also evaluated the effects of sample storage periods and thawing periods required before analysis in freezing treatments to determine their impact on nutrients contents. Using four different statistical methods, we assessed a total of 19 experiments to identify the most effective preservation method. Comparison between filtered and untreated seawater samples showed no detectable effect on the preservation by filtration. Deviations from shipboard measurement were detected in samples stored in a freezer, even at −80 °C. On the other hand, the nutrient content in the poisoned samples remained virtually intact. The deficiency in nutrient content observed during prolonged freezing and thawing or storage in a refrigerator at 4 °C, compared to shipboard measurements, aligns with the Redfield relationship reported in the Arctic Ocean, suggesting that biological activities occurred either within brine channels during freezing, during refrigerated storage, or both, likely due to viable cold-adapted microbes. Although our findings are based on polar seawater samples, potential biological activities during storage and post-treatment should be carefully examined in the other oceanic regions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18219,"journal":{"name":"Marine Chemistry","volume":"272 ","pages":"Article 104546"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144703844","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-07-11DOI: 10.1016/j.marchem.2025.104534
Samantha Rush , Penny Vlahos , Chang-Ho Lee , Kitack Lee , Lauren J. Barrett
{"title":"Corrigendum to “Boron to salinity ratios in the Fram Strait entering the Central Arctic: The role of sea ice formation and future predictions” [Marine Chemistry 267 (2024) 104463]","authors":"Samantha Rush , Penny Vlahos , Chang-Ho Lee , Kitack Lee , Lauren J. Barrett","doi":"10.1016/j.marchem.2025.104534","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.marchem.2025.104534","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":18219,"journal":{"name":"Marine Chemistry","volume":"272 ","pages":"Article 104534"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144605740","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-07-07DOI: 10.1016/j.marchem.2025.104544
Lorena S. Nascimento , Felipe R. Santos , Pollyana C.V. Morais , Allyne F. Gama , Márcia C. Bícego , Satie Taniguchi , Rafael A. Lourenço , César C. Martins , Lucas B. Moreira , Rivelino M. Cavalcante
Surface sediments from the Jaguaribe River, in a Brazilian semi-arid region, were investigated for the presence of traditional and emerging organic contaminants to identify the multiple pollution sources in the area. Aliphatic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were linked to phytoplankton, microbiological species, specific vegetation, and minimal petroleum and pyrolysis compounds. Regarding sterols, higher contributions from stigmasterol and cholesterol were associated with higher plants and zooplankton, respectively. However, coprostanol levels suggested fecal contamination from large mammals, corroborated by the predominance of synthetic over natural hormones. The main origins found for pesticides were their use in health campaigns, agriculture, and domestic use. The toxicity assessment revealed that all stations presented a high risk to biota, especially from hormone and pesticide compounds. This multimolecular approach allowed the identification and differentiation of pollution sources from urban and rural activities and the potential risk for the biota in an important region of Brazil.
{"title":"Pollution assessment and ecological risk of organic contaminants in a river-estuary of the northeastern Brazilian semi-arid: Traditional and emerging contaminants unraveling rural and urban activities","authors":"Lorena S. Nascimento , Felipe R. Santos , Pollyana C.V. Morais , Allyne F. Gama , Márcia C. Bícego , Satie Taniguchi , Rafael A. Lourenço , César C. Martins , Lucas B. Moreira , Rivelino M. Cavalcante","doi":"10.1016/j.marchem.2025.104544","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.marchem.2025.104544","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Surface sediments from the Jaguaribe River, in a Brazilian semi-arid region, were investigated for the presence of traditional and emerging organic contaminants to identify the multiple pollution sources in the area. Aliphatic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were linked to phytoplankton, microbiological species, specific vegetation, and minimal petroleum and pyrolysis compounds. Regarding sterols, higher contributions from stigmasterol and cholesterol were associated with higher plants and zooplankton, respectively. However, coprostanol levels suggested fecal contamination from large mammals, corroborated by the predominance of synthetic over natural hormones. The main origins found for pesticides were their use in health campaigns, agriculture, and domestic use. The toxicity assessment revealed that all stations presented a high risk to biota, especially from hormone and pesticide compounds. This multimolecular approach allowed the identification and differentiation of pollution sources from urban and rural activities and the potential risk for the biota in an important region of Brazil.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18219,"journal":{"name":"Marine Chemistry","volume":"272 ","pages":"Article 104544"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144596476","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-07-01DOI: 10.1016/j.marchem.2025.104531
Rianne J.M. van Kaam, Martin Kölling, Marcus Elvert, Kai-Uwe Hinrichs, Matthias Zabel
Dust deposition to the ocean plays an indirect role in the carbon cycle due to stimulating the primary production by fertilisation. Additionally, it transports carbon to the ocean floor by acting as ballast for marine aggregates. Despite these recognized impacts, the direct influence of dust-seawater interactions on the carbon cycle remains poorly understood. Here, we study the effects of mineral dust on the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration in seawater by performing sorption experiments through time series and stable carbon isotope analysis. We added two different amounts of dust to a solution of artificial seawater and 13C-labelled dissolved organic matter from Spirulina extract, creating a low and high dust-seawater ratio system. After 72 h, we observe a decrease in DOC for both systems, indicating the adsorption of DOC from the Spirulina extract onto dust particles. Analysis of the stable carbon isotope ratios of total organic carbon on the dust samples, before and after the sorption experiments, confirms these findings. Furthermore, our study shows that the net uptake of DOC on dust depends on the relative importance of adsorption, release and degradation of organic carbon. DOC release can become the dominant process based on the dust-seawater ratio and the initial organic carbon present on the dust, demonstrating that dust can act as both a sink and a source of organic carbon in the near-surface waters.
{"title":"Dust deposition directly affects the concentration of dissolved organic carbon in the ocean","authors":"Rianne J.M. van Kaam, Martin Kölling, Marcus Elvert, Kai-Uwe Hinrichs, Matthias Zabel","doi":"10.1016/j.marchem.2025.104531","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.marchem.2025.104531","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Dust deposition to the ocean plays an indirect role in the carbon cycle due to stimulating the primary production by fertilisation. Additionally, it transports carbon to the ocean floor by acting as ballast for marine aggregates. Despite these recognized impacts, the direct influence of dust-seawater interactions on the carbon cycle remains poorly understood. Here, we study the effects of mineral dust on the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration in seawater by performing sorption experiments through time series and stable carbon isotope analysis. We added two different amounts of dust to a solution of artificial seawater and <sup>13</sup>C-labelled dissolved organic matter from <em>Spirulina</em> extract, creating a low and high dust-seawater ratio system. After 72 h, we observe a decrease in DOC for both systems, indicating the adsorption of DOC from the <em>Spirulina</em> extract onto dust particles. Analysis of the stable carbon isotope ratios of total organic carbon on the dust samples, before and after the sorption experiments, confirms these findings. Furthermore, our study shows that the net uptake of DOC on dust depends on the relative importance of adsorption, release and degradation of organic carbon. DOC release can become the dominant process based on the dust-seawater ratio and the initial organic carbon present on the dust, demonstrating that dust can act as both a sink and a source of organic carbon in the near-surface waters.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18219,"journal":{"name":"Marine Chemistry","volume":"271 ","pages":"Article 104531"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144557449","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-07-01DOI: 10.1016/j.marchem.2025.104533
Qixian Chen , Yifan Li , Chen-Tung Arthur Chen , Zong-Pei Jiang , Wei-Jun Cai , Hongwen Pan , Yunwen Shen , Zesheng Ding , Yanan Di , Chenba Zhu , Nianzhi Jiao , Yiwen Pan
Diatoms play a pivotal role in the ocean, contributing approximately 40 % of marine primary production, with nearly half of the particulate organic carbon being exported. The recent discovery of a novel diatom-induced calcification pathway has attracted significant attention due to its implications for marine carbon, calcium, and silicon cycling. Despite its potential, the lack of a quantitative initiation threshold and comparative analysis with known calcifying organisms limit our ability to predict its ecological impact, particularly on carbon sequestration. This study addresses these gaps by cultivating the common diatom species, Skeletonema costatum, under simulated marine conditions to evaluate its CaCO3 precipitation potential and define the biogeochemical threshold for calcification. The experimental results showed that S. costatum can induce calcification across a range of environmental conditions, including varying dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC 1837 to 2709 μmol·kg−1), nitrogen sources (NH4+ or NO3−), and cell densities (104 to 105 cells·mL−1). Calcification was initiated when the aragonite saturation state (Ωarag) exceeded ∼8. The calcification rate exhibits a linear correlation with Ωarag in the bulk solution, categorizing it as a “biologically induced” process. Our findings highlight similarities between the calcification mechanisms of S. costatum and other calcifying organisms, revealing the common ality of environmental drivers. This study advances our understanding of diatom-induced calcification, offering insights into its role in the marine carbon cycle and potential contributions to carbon sequestration strategies.
{"title":"Diatom-induced calcification in coastal marine environments: Biomineralization threshold and mechanism","authors":"Qixian Chen , Yifan Li , Chen-Tung Arthur Chen , Zong-Pei Jiang , Wei-Jun Cai , Hongwen Pan , Yunwen Shen , Zesheng Ding , Yanan Di , Chenba Zhu , Nianzhi Jiao , Yiwen Pan","doi":"10.1016/j.marchem.2025.104533","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.marchem.2025.104533","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Diatoms play a pivotal role in the ocean, contributing approximately 40 % of marine primary production, with nearly half of the particulate organic carbon being exported. The recent discovery of a novel diatom-induced calcification pathway has attracted significant attention due to its implications for marine carbon, calcium, and silicon cycling. Despite its potential, the lack of a quantitative initiation threshold and comparative analysis with known calcifying organisms limit our ability to predict its ecological impact, particularly on carbon sequestration. This study addresses these gaps by cultivating the common diatom species, <em>Skeletonema costatum</em>, under simulated marine conditions to evaluate its CaCO<sub>3</sub> precipitation potential and define the biogeochemical threshold for calcification. The experimental results showed that <em>S. costatum</em> can induce calcification across a range of environmental conditions, including varying dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC 1837 to 2709 μmol·kg<sup>−1</sup>), nitrogen sources (NH<sub>4</sub><sup>+</sup> or NO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup>), and cell densities (10<sup>4</sup> to 10<sup>5</sup> cells·mL<sup>−1</sup>). Calcification was initiated when the aragonite saturation state (Ω<sub>arag</sub>) exceeded ∼8. The calcification rate exhibits a linear correlation with Ω<sub>arag</sub> in the bulk solution, categorizing it as a “biologically induced” process. Our findings highlight similarities between the calcification mechanisms of <em>S. costatum</em> and other calcifying organisms, revealing the common ality of environmental drivers. This study advances our understanding of diatom-induced calcification, offering insights into its role in the marine carbon cycle and potential contributions to carbon sequestration strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18219,"journal":{"name":"Marine Chemistry","volume":"271 ","pages":"Article 104533"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144524021","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-06-23DOI: 10.1016/j.marchem.2025.104532
Wiwit , Kuo Hong Wong , Chia-Jung Lu , Hideki Fukuda , Hiroshi Ogawa , Shigenobu Takeda , Kazutaka Takahashi , Asami S. Mashio , Hajime Obata
Although copper (Cu) is necessary for phytoplankton growth, it becomes toxic at high concentrations. The bioavailability and toxicity of Cu are governed by its chemical speciation, with free inorganic Cu2+ being the most toxic species. In this study, we estimated free Cu2+ concentrations in Japanese coastal waters to evaluate the effects of Cu toxicity on phytoplankton growth. Incubation experiments were conducted using natural phytoplankton assemblages in seawater collected from Otsuchi Bay, northeastern Japan, and Goto-nada in the East China Sea. The cells were incubated for 14 days with Cu additions of up to 100 nM. Copper speciation parameters were determined using the reverse titration methods with competitive ligand exchange adsorptive cathodic stripping voltammetry (CLE-AdCSV). Chlorophyll-a concentrations increased with the addition of <10 nM Cu but decreased at 100 nM Cu due to Cu toxicity. We found that phytoplankton growth caused negligible increases in Cu-binding organic ligand concentrations. Free Cu2+ concentrations were simulated using the initial Cu speciation parameters obtained from the reverse titration method under varying Cu concentrations. When assuming the presence of only one class of organic ligands, the estimated Cu2+ concentrations were inconsistent with the incubation results. In contrast, by considering two classes of ligands, the increase in the concentration of Cu2+ closely matched the incubation data. This suggests that the resolution of the weaker class of organic ligands is crucial for evaluating Cu toxicity in seawater.
{"title":"Copper-binding organic ligands and phytoplankton growth in Japanese coastal waters","authors":"Wiwit , Kuo Hong Wong , Chia-Jung Lu , Hideki Fukuda , Hiroshi Ogawa , Shigenobu Takeda , Kazutaka Takahashi , Asami S. Mashio , Hajime Obata","doi":"10.1016/j.marchem.2025.104532","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.marchem.2025.104532","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Although copper (Cu) is necessary for phytoplankton growth, it becomes toxic at high concentrations. The bioavailability and toxicity of Cu are governed by its chemical speciation, with free inorganic Cu<sup>2+</sup> being the most toxic species. In this study, we estimated free Cu<sup>2+</sup> concentrations in Japanese coastal waters to evaluate the effects of Cu toxicity on phytoplankton growth. Incubation experiments were conducted using natural phytoplankton assemblages in seawater collected from Otsuchi Bay, northeastern Japan, and Goto-nada in the East China Sea. The cells were incubated for 14 days with Cu additions of up to 100 nM. Copper speciation parameters were determined using the reverse titration methods with competitive ligand exchange adsorptive cathodic stripping voltammetry (CLE-AdCSV). Chlorophyll-<em>a</em> concentrations increased with the addition of <10 nM Cu but decreased at 100 nM Cu due to Cu toxicity. We found that phytoplankton growth caused negligible increases in Cu-binding organic ligand concentrations. Free Cu<sup>2+</sup> concentrations were simulated using the initial Cu speciation parameters obtained from the reverse titration method under varying Cu concentrations. When assuming the presence of only one class of organic ligands, the estimated Cu<sup>2+</sup> concentrations were inconsistent with the incubation results. In contrast, by considering two classes of ligands, the increase in the concentration of Cu<sup>2+</sup> closely matched the incubation data. This suggests that the resolution of the weaker class of organic ligands is crucial for evaluating Cu toxicity in seawater.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18219,"journal":{"name":"Marine Chemistry","volume":"271 ","pages":"Article 104532"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144501772","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-06-02DOI: 10.1016/j.marchem.2025.104530
Hojong Seo , Guebuem Kim
We investigated particulate organic carbon (POC) transport across the shelf to the basin bottom in the East/Japan Sea, using Aluminum (Al) and 210Pb as tracers. Our results show that the sedimentary deposition of 210Pb in the basin (2327 m) is comparable with the scavenging removal flux from the water column (117 ± 15 %), whereas it increases threefold in the shelf (296 ± 50 %) (200 m), suggesting substantial lateral inputs of land- and shelf-origin sediments. We also show that conventionally used excess 210Pb-derived sedimentation rates without considering mixing can be overestimated by 3–8 times in continental margin sediments, where sedimentation rates are low (< 0.15 cm yr−1), leading to significant overestimation of POC burial fluxes. Sedimentation rates based on an Al mass balance with sedimentary 210Pb budgets align more closely with those from 14C and tephra analyses in this region. A POC box model using the refined sedimentation rate indicates that POC burial fluxes in the East Sea are 0.3–1.0 % of primary production. These values are four times lower than previous estimates based on 210Pb-derived sedimentation rates in the same region, but consistent with those observed in similar oceanic settings. Additionally, the POC box model suggests that sediment resuspensions can significantly contribute (34–70 %) to sinking POC fluxes in the bottom sediments. Thus, our results highlight that in continental margins, where 210Pb decay and mixing are difficult to distinguish due to slow sedimentation rates, traditional 210Pb dating methods can significantly overestimate sedimentation rates and associated material fluxes.
以铝(Al)和210Pb为示踪剂,研究了东/日本海陆架到海盆底部的颗粒有机碳(POC)运输。研究结果表明,210Pb在盆地(2327 m)的沉积沉积量与水柱的清除去除通量(117±15%)相当,而在陆架(200 m)的沉积沉积量增加了3倍(296±50%),表明陆架源沉积物有大量的侧向输入。我们还表明,在沉积速率较低的大陆边缘沉积物中,常规使用的不考虑混合的过量210pb沉积速率可能被高估3-8倍(<;0.15 cm yr - 1),导致对POC埋藏通量的严重高估。基于Al质量平衡和沉积210Pb收支的沉积速率与14C和tephra分析的沉积速率更接近。利用精细化沉降速率建立的POC盒模型表明,东海POC埋藏通量为初级产量的0.3 ~ 1.0%。这些值比以前根据同一地区210pb沉积速率估算的值低4倍,但与在类似海洋环境中观测到的值一致。此外,POC箱型模型表明,沉积物再悬浮对底部沉积物POC通量的下降有显著贡献(34 - 70%)。因此,我们的研究结果表明,在大陆边缘,由于沉积速率缓慢,210Pb的衰变和混合难以区分,传统的210Pb测年方法可能会显著高估沉积速率和相关物质通量。
{"title":"Tracing cross-shelf transport and accumulation of particulate organic carbon in the continental margin bottom sediments using Aluminum and 210Pb","authors":"Hojong Seo , Guebuem Kim","doi":"10.1016/j.marchem.2025.104530","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.marchem.2025.104530","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>We investigated particulate organic carbon (POC) transport across the shelf to the basin bottom in the East/Japan Sea, using Aluminum (Al) and <sup>210</sup>Pb as tracers. Our results show that the sedimentary deposition of <sup>210</sup>Pb in the basin (2327 m) is comparable with the scavenging removal flux from the water column (117 ± 15 %), whereas it increases threefold in the shelf (296 ± 50 %) (200 m), suggesting substantial lateral inputs of land- and shelf-origin sediments. We also show that conventionally used excess <sup>210</sup>Pb-derived sedimentation rates without considering mixing can be overestimated by 3–8 times in continental margin sediments, where sedimentation rates are low (< 0.15 cm yr<sup>−1</sup>), leading to significant overestimation of POC burial fluxes. Sedimentation rates based on an Al mass balance with sedimentary <sup>210</sup>Pb budgets align more closely with those from <sup>14</sup>C and tephra analyses in this region. A POC box model using the refined sedimentation rate indicates that POC burial fluxes in the East Sea are 0.3–1.0 % of primary production. These values are four times lower than previous estimates based on <sup>210</sup>Pb-derived sedimentation rates in the same region, but consistent with those observed in similar oceanic settings. Additionally, the POC box model suggests that sediment resuspensions can significantly contribute (34–70 %) to sinking POC fluxes in the bottom sediments. Thus, our results highlight that in continental margins, where <sup>210</sup>Pb decay and mixing are difficult to distinguish due to slow sedimentation rates, traditional <sup>210</sup>Pb dating methods can significantly overestimate sedimentation rates and associated material fluxes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18219,"journal":{"name":"Marine Chemistry","volume":"271 ","pages":"Article 104530"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144230867","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}