Aerosol iron and aluminum solubility in the northwest Pacific Ocean: Results from the 2002 IOC cruise

Dust aerosol samples were collected across the western North Pacific Ocean during May-June 2002. Samples were analyzed for soluble aerosol Fe(II), Fe(II) + Fe(III), and Al as well as major cations and anions. The aerosol samples were leached using a 10 second exposure to either filtered surface seawater or ultrapure deionized water yielding a measure of the instantaneous soluble fraction. A variety of analytical methods were employed, including Fe-57 isotope dilution high-resolution ICP-MS, energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence, graphite furnace AAS, ion chromatography, and the FeLume chemiluminescent technique. Fe was found to be more soluble in ultrapure deionized water leaches, especially during periods of higher dust concentrations. Fe solubility averaged 9 +/- 8% in ultrapure water leaches and 6 +/- 5% in seawater leaches. Significant correlations were found between both soluble aerosol Fe-T and soluble Fe(II) concentrations and aerosol acidity; however, the percentages of soluble aerosol FeT and Fe(II) did not correlate with aerosol acidity We also did not observe significant correlations between total and soluble aerosol Fe concentrations and the concentrations of either particulate Fe or dissolved Fe in surface waters.