In-situ analysis of sub-nanomolar level of Fe(II) in open-ocean waters

Iron (Fe) in seawater is an essential micronutrient for marine phytoplankton, and Fe deficiency limits their growth in high-nutrient, low-chlorophyll areas. The bioavailability of Fe for phytoplankton largely depends on its chemical speciation in seawater. In surface water, the reduction of Fe(III) to Fe(II) is an important step in the uptake of Fe by phytoplankton. However, the marine biogeochemical cycle of Fe(II) in the open ocean has not been fully investigated. In oxic open-ocean waters, Fe(II) is rapidly oxidized and exists at sub-nanomolar levels, making it difficult to determine the Fe(II) concentration of seawater. In this study, we applied the flow analytical method of determining the Fe(II) concentration of seawater using luminol chemiluminescence in an in-situ analyzer (geochemical anomaly monitoring system, GAMOS). In the onboard laboratory, we successfully detected sub-nanomolar levels of Fe(II) in seawater using the GAMOS. In the central Indian Ocean, this analyzer was deployed at a depth of 1000 m to determine the Fe(II) concentration in the water column. During deployment, the detection limit (0.48 nM) was insufficient to determine the concentration. Therefore, we need to lower the blank values and enhance the stability of signal of the in-situ analytical method for application to open-ocean seawater samples.

Oxygen and superoxide-mediated redox kinetics of iron complexed by humic substances in coastal seawater

Complexes with terrestrially derived humic substances represent one of the most reactive pools of dissolved Fe in natural waters. In this work, redox kinetics of Fe-humic substance complexes (FeL) in simulated coastal seawater were investigated using chemiluminescence techniques with particular attention given to interactions with dioxygen (O2) and superoxide (O2•-). Although rate constants of FeIIL oxidation by O2 (5.6-52 M-1 · s-1) were 4-5 orders of magnitude less than those for O2•- (6.9-23 × 105 M-1 · s-1),O2 is likely to outcompete O2•- for FeIIL oxidation in coastal seawaters where steady-state O2•- concentrations are generally subnanomolar. Rate constants for FeIIIL reduction by O2•- of 1.8-5.6 × 104 M-1 · s-1 were also determined. From the balance of FeIIL oxidation rates and O2•- -mediated FeIIIL reduction rates, steady-state FeIIL concentrations were estimated to be in the subpicomolar to picomolar range, which is generally lower than measured in situ Fe(II) concentrations under relevant conditions. This suggests that (i) processes other than O2•- -mediated reduction (such as photochemical ligand-to-metal charge transfer) may be responsible for Fe(II) formation, (ii) the in situ ligands differ significantly from the humic substances used in this work, and/ or (iii) the influence of other environmental factors such as pH and temperature on Fe redox kinetics may have to be considered.

Superoxide decay kinetics in the southern ocean

Measurements of superoxide (O(2)(-)) reaction kinetics were made during a transect with the research icebreaker Polarstern (ANT24-3) in the Antarctic through the Drake Passage in austral autumn 2008. Our sampling strategy was designed to investigate the sinks of superoxide in Polar waters; principally through reactions with dissolved organic matter (DOM) or metals (copper and iron). We modified an existing chemiluminescence flow injection system using methyl Cypridina luciferin analog (MCLA) for the detection of O(2)(-) and added O(2)(-) using KO(2) as the source. Our results indicate that O(2)(-) in ambient seawater had a half-life ranging from 9.3 to 194 s. DTPA additions to seawater, to remove the effects of reactions with metals, revealed O(2)(-) decay rates consistent with a second order reaction, indicating that the dismutation reaction dominated and that reactions with DOM were not significant. Titrations of seawater by the addition of nanomolar amounts of iron or copper revealed the importance of organic chelation of Fe and/or Cu in controlling the reactivity with O(2)(-). Throughout the water column reactions with Cu appeared to be the major sink for superoxide in the Southern Ocean. This new strategy suggests an alternative approach for speciation measurements of Fe and Cu in seawater.

The use of flow-injection analysis with chemiluminescence detection of aqueous ferrous iron in waters containing high concentrations of organic compounds

An evaluation of flow-injection analysis with chemiluminescence detection (FIA-CL) to quantify Fe(2+) ((aq)) in freshwaters was performed. Iron-coordinating and/or iron-reducing compounds, dissolved organic matter (DOM), and samples from two natural water systems were used to amend standard solutions of Fe(2+) ((aq)). Slopes of the response curves from ferrous iron standards (1 - 100 nM) were compared to the response curves of iron standards containing the amendments. Results suggest that FIA-CL is not suitable for systems containing ascorbate, hydroxylamine, cysteine or DOM. Little or no change in sensitivity occurred in solutions of oxalate and glycine or in natural waters with little organic matter.