ALBERT

Description: Trace metals in the ocean act as both essential micro-nutrients and as toxins. There are relatively few multi-element studies of dissolved trace metals in the ocean, and none from the Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea. This semi-enclosed basin surrounded by desert is a natural laboratory for studying the impact of atmospheric dry deposition of trace metals on the ocean surface. We have combined measurement of dissolved metals in seawater with measurements of the flux of metals associated with dry deposition. The total dissolved trace metal concentrations in Gulf of Aqaba water are generally higher (Fe, Cu, Zn, Co, Mn, Pb) or similar (Ni, Al, Cd, Mo) to those measured in the open North Atlantic Ocean. The concentrations of elements that are highly enriched in aerosols relative to Al (e.g. Cd, Pb, Zn and Cu) are not necessarily proportionally enriched in surface seawater when compared to Al, indicative of the high reactivity of these elements in seawater. Iron concentrations in the Gulf of Aqaba are high relative to Al, despite the fact that the aerosols are not more enriched in Fe relative to Al. There may be additional sources of dissolved iron to the Gulf of Aqaba, not associated with Al. Alternatively, intense photochemically-driven redox cycling may act to enhance Fe dissolution from aerosols, or may otherwise increase the lifetime of Fe in the water column, relative to Al. Copper concentrations in the Gulf of Aqaba are close to the value found to be a threshold for Cu toxicity in this region. A surface maximum in Cd:P is found in the Gulf of Aqaba, in contrast to the more typical surface minimum in this ratio observed in other locations. The surface maximum appears to be driven by atypically low uptake of Cd relative to P. A low Cd:P uptake ratio for this region is consistent with known environmental determinants of low Cd:P uptake, such as high concentrations of dissolved Zn and Fe, and a predominance of small phytoplankton including cyanobacteria. Highlights ► We measured dissolved trace metal concentrations in the Gulf of Aqaba four times. ► Iron concentrations are high relative to Al concentrations. ► Cu concentrations are close to the threshold for Cu toxicity in this region. ► A surface maximum in Cd:P is driven by unusually low uptake of Cd relative to PO4. ► This is consistent with the dominance of small phytoplankton and high Fe levels.

Description: Estimates of ages for short-finned squid (Illex illecebrosus LeSueur) were derived from two different methods for preparing statoliths and enumerating daily increments. Each pair of statoliths was divided between two experienced agers. One (Ager B) ground the statoliths on one side in the frontal plane for examination by light microscopy with camera lucida. The other (Ager G) ground statoliths on two sides in the sagittal plane for examination by light microscopy with an image analysis system. Mean counts of increments did not differ between the two agers reflecting similar peak hatching periods and patterns of migration. Systematic differences were, however, evident in that counts by Ager G were larger in young squid and smaller in old squid than those by Ager B. Crossing of methods suggested that estimated age was affected by the method of preparation of statoliths, but bias between agers was primarily due to differences in methods of interpreting and enumerating increments. This bias greatly affected estimates of growth rates. Rates of growth of groups obtained by the two agers based on the estimated month of hatching were compared with those of individual gladii. Such comparisons failed to identify which method was the more reliable because of small sample sizes and poor fit of the growth model, as well as uncertainty regarding the effects of time of hatching on growth rate. This uncertainty was related to unknown error in the estimation, from statoliths, of age and time of hatching. Broad-scale collaborative studies are recommended, involving exchange of unprocessed and processed statoliths among agers, to evaluate precision and maximize consistency among investigators.