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Iron in the Ocean: Laboratory Experiments of Iron Geochemistry in the Presence of Marine Particles

Citation

Beck, Anna Rose (2012) Iron in the Ocean: Laboratory Experiments of Iron Geochemistry in the Presence of Marine Particles. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/0CAB-KF69. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:09282011-141454915

Abstract

Iron (Fe) is an important micronutrient for primary productivity in the ocean. The Fe cycle in the ocean is relatively unconstrained, especially when it comes to quantifying sources and sinks related to exchange with particulate matter. This thesis attempts to constrain some of the kinetic and equilibrium particle interactions with Fe bound to the siderophore desferrioxamine B (DFB). Out of five inorganic particle types investigated, ferrihydrite, goethite, opal, foraminifera, and montmorillonite, ferrihydrite has the largest, extended impact on dissolved FeDFB. From experimental and modeling results, ferrihydrite has two primary exchange pathways, absorption, with a rate of 4 ± 2 x 10-4 /(mg/L) per day, and dissolution, with a rate of 0.015 ± 0.01 per day. Uptake appears irreversible and follows a colloidal pumping model. Isotopic fractionation is also the greatest in the presence of ferrihydrite with signals up to +1‰ or higher with excess ligand. Dry montmorillonite has the biggest initial impact on FeDFB, resulting in a nearly instantaneous equilibrium and little isotopic fractionation. Goethite, opal, and foraminifera all have a minimal impact on FeDFB and show slight enriched isotopic fractionation, +0.15‰, in the presence of large particle concentrations. DFB seems to induce heavy Fe desorption or dissolution, while particle uptake seems to favor transfer of lighter Fe. These isotopic and kinetic parameters are important constraints on the ability of particles to control dissolved Fe, since they fall through the water column faster than equilibrium will be obtained.

Item Type:Thesis (Dissertation (Ph.D.))
Subject Keywords:iron geochemistry; marine particle uptake; FeDFB adsorption; ligand mediated dissolution; iron and particle kinetics; siderophore, DFB
Degree Grantor:California Institute of Technology
Division:Geological and Planetary Sciences
Major Option:Environmental Science and Engineering
Thesis Availability:Public (worldwide access)
Research Advisor(s):
  • Adkins, Jess F.
Thesis Committee:
  • Leadbetter, Jared R. (chair)
  • Blake, Geoffrey A.
  • Berelson, William M.
  • Adkins, Jess F.
Defense Date:31 August 2011
Funders:
Funding AgencyGrant Number
National Science Foundation Graduate Research FellowshipUNSPECIFIED
National Science FoundationUNSPECIFIED
Record Number:CaltechTHESIS:09282011-141454915
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:09282011-141454915
DOI:10.7907/0CAB-KF69
Default Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:6694
Collection:CaltechTHESIS
Deposited By: Anna Beck
Deposited On:22 Nov 2011 17:07
Last Modified:03 Oct 2019 23:53

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