Iron and copper complexation in Macaronesian coastal waters

Arnone, V., González-Santana, D., González-Dávila, M., González, A. G., & Santana-Casiano, J. M. (2022). Iron and copper complexation in Macaronesian coastal waters. Marine Chemistry, 240, 104087. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marchem.2022.104087

Summary

Iron and Copper are trace metals that are bioessential micronutrients to marine organisms. In this study the authors studied dissolved concentrations of these two metals and the strength of their complexes with other substances in the surface coastal waters of the Macaronesia region (Cape Verde, Canary Islands, and Madeira). Due to biological activity and water mixing induced by the wind around the islands, dissolved metals and ligand concentrations were greater at the coastal stations than in oceanic water. Variations were observed between the eastern and western parts of Fogo, Tenerife and Gran Canaria. On the east coasts, the increase in dissolved metals and ligand concentrations were related to wind-induced water mixing. The results of this study improve our understanding of the impact of coastal areas on the Fe and Cu biogeochemical cycles.