Tracing natural and anthropogenic sources of aerosols to the Atlantic Ocean using Zn and Cu isotopes

Anthropogenic activities have significantly enhanced atmospheric metal inputs to the ocean, which has potentially important consequences for marine ecosystems. This study assesses the potential of Zn and Cu isotope compositions to distinguish between natural and anthropogenic atmospheric inputs of these metals to the surface ocean. To this end, the isotopic compositions of Zn and Cu in aerosols collected from the eastern tropical Atlantic Ocean on the GEOTRACES GA06 cruise are examined. Enrichment factors and fractional solubility measurements indicate the presence of a significant anthropogenic component in the aerosols collected furthest from the North African dust plume for both Zn and Cu. The mean delta Cu-65(NIST SRM 976) for the fully digested aerosols is +0.07 +/- 0.39 parts per thousand (n = 9, 2 SD), which is indistinguishable from the lithogenic value, and implies that Cu isotopes are not an effective tracer of aerosol sources in this region. The mean delta Zn-66(JMC-Lyon) value for the aerosols that underwent a total digestion is +0.17 +/- 0.22 parts per thousand (n = 11, 2 SD). The aerosols leached with ammonium acetate have similar Zn isotope compositions, with a mean of +0.15 +/- 0.16 parts per thousand (n = 7, 2 SD). The aerosols were collected in a region with prevalent mineral dust but, despite this, exhibit isotopically lighter Zn than lithogenic Zn with delta Zn-66 asymptotic to +0.3 parts per thousand. When coupled with the previously published Pb isotope data, the aerosols exhibit coupled Zn-Pb isotope systematics that are indicative of mixing between mineral dust (delta Zn-66 = +0.28 parts per thousand and Pb-206/Pb-207 = 1.205) and anthropogenic emissions (delta Zn-66 = -0.22 parts per thousand and Pb-206/Pb-207 = 1.129). This demonstrates the potential of Zn isotopes to trace atmospheric Zn inputs from anthropogenic sources to the surface ocean.

Automated summary

Anthropogenic activities have increased the input of metals into the ocean, affecting marine ecosystems. This study shows that Zn and Cu isotopes can distinguish between natural and anthropogenic atmospheric inputs. Analysis of aerosols collected from the eastern tropical Atlantic Ocean reveals a significant anthropogenic component, indicating the potential of Zn isotopes to track anthropogenic sources of atmospheric Zn to the surface ocean.