Understanding the processes that control Zinc distributions in the ocean

April 04, 2023
GP15 section Zn data. Dissolved Zn concentration (top) and dissolved δ66Zn (bottom) distributions along the GP15 transect. From Sieber et al., 2023 (doi:10.1029/2022JC019419).

It has been known since Ken Bruland's paper in 1978 that Zinc (Zn) is correlated with dissolved silicon (Si) throughout much of the ocean, even though Zn is incorporated into organic tissue, like phosphate (PO4).  Scientists have puzzled for years about why Zn appears to have a deeper regeneration cycle, like Si, when Zn in diatom frustules is not significant.  Thanks to the work from multiple GEOTRACES cruises, we now see evidence that mixing in the Southern Ocean, which enrich both Zn and Si in deep water, and reversible scavenging, which moves Zn downward throughout the water column, are both contributing factors. We highlight the recent article by Sieber et al., 2023 for the progress towards understanding the processes that control Zn distributions in the ocean.