Trace metals in large agglomerates (marine snow)

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Abstract
Marine agglomerates were collected by SCUBA from surface waters of Monterey Bay, California and one coastal site 100 km off Point Sur, California using trace metal clean techniques. Concentrations of Al, Fe, Mn, Cu, Ni, Zn, Cd and Pb were measured for both weak acid soluble and refractory metals and compared to suspend material collected in water bottles at the same locations. Gravimetric analysis of agglomerate and surrounding suspended particulate matter indicated that although agglomerates represented 40% dry weight), with most of the associated metals contained primarily within the refractory fraction. In contrast, the offshore station agglomerates contained <0.3% inorganic material with metals primarily associated with the weak acid soluble fraction. Both the metal concentrations and leach characteristics of the offshore station suggest that these agglomerates were comprised of an active phytoplankton assemblage highly enriched in Cd. Metal concentrations in the offshore samples in conjunction with agglomerate abundance indicate that agglomerates may be a major transporter of trace metals out of the euphotic zone.

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