Publication Date:
2024-01-10
Description:
On cruise M176/2 we conducted detailed water column surveys in close vicinity to the Rainbow
hydrothermal vent field and up to a distance of 60 km along the hydrothermal plume flow. Our
aim was to determine the fate of hydrothermally derived trace elements and isotopes (TEIs) with
increasing distance from the source, including an assessment of changes in physical and chemical
speciation. We assessed to what extent TEIs are controlled by vent supply, particle removal
processes and advection. Sampling of Th, Ra and He isotopes was conducted to facilitate
quantification of hydrothermal fluxes and removal of TEI and fingerprint sources to elucidate TEI
distributions. Atmospheric and deep water (micro)nutrient supply to the surface ocean was
assessed to investigate controls on microbial ecosystem functioning, including productivity and
diazotrophy. In addition, the role of dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) as a N source to
phytoplankton was assessed. The work used GEOTRACES trace metal clean sampling and
analysis approaches and the cruise forms a GEOTRACES Process Cruise.
Type:
Report
,
NonPeerReviewed
Format:
text
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