Iron in the water column of the Weddell Sea

Total, dissolved and suspended iron has been determined in the water column of the Weddell Sea area during the austral summer 1988–1989. Some data are also presented for dissolved manganese, suspended manganese and suspended aluminium. The average value for dissolved iron was found to be 1.2 nM, with somewhat higher values at the Filchner Ice Shelf. The total iron was found to be considerably higher, with a range between 1 and 6 nM in the central Weddell Sea and 1 and 25 nM at the shelves. Transport of iron from the shelves into the Weddell Sea basin is demonstrated. This is observed both for total and dissolved iron.