Ocean circulation and biological processes drive seasonal variations of dissolved Al, Cd, Ni, Cu, and Zn on the Northeast Atlantic continental margin

Nutrients and nutrient-like dissolved trace metals (dTMs) are essential for the functioning of marine organisms and therefore form an important part of ocean biogeochemical cycles. Here, we report on the seasonal distributions of dissolved zinc (dZn), nickel (dNi), copper (dCu), cadmium (dCd), aluminum (dAl), and nutrients on the Northeast Atlantic continental margin (Celtic Sea), which is representative for temperate shelf seas globally. Variations in surface water dTM and nutrient concentrations were mainly regulated by seasonal changes in biological processes. The stoichiometry of dTMs (especially for dCu and dZn) and nutrients on the continental shelf was additionally affected by fluvial inputs. Nutrients and dTMs at depth on the continental slope were determined by water mass mixing driven by ocean circulation, without an important role for local remineralization processes. The Mediterranean Outflow Waters are especially important for delivering Mediterranean-sourced dTMs to the Northeast Atlantic Ocean and drive dTM:nutrient kinks at a depth of similar to 1000 m. These results highlight the importance of riverine inputs, seasonality of primary production and ocean circulation on the distributions of nutrients and nutrient-like dTMs in temperate continental margin seas. Future climate related changes in the forcing factors may impact the availability of nutrients and dTMs to marine organisms in highly productive continental shelf regions and consequently the regional carbon cycle.

Automated summary

This article reports on the seasonal distributions of dissolved zinc, nickel, copper, cadmium, aluminum, and nutrients on the Northeast Atlantic continental margin. The variations in surface water trace metals and nutrient concentrations were mainly regulated by seasonal changes in biological processes. The stoichiometry of trace metals and nutrients on the continental shelf was additionally affected by fluvial inputs.