DISSOLVED ZINC AND IRON LEVELS IN SEAWATER FROM POTTER COVE, 25 DE MAYO ISLAND, ANTARCTICA.

S. Andrade & J. Marcovecchio* (Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía, Florida 4000 – C.C. 804, 8000 Bahía Blanca, Argentina)

Abstract:

The study of trace metals concentration and distribution as well as the corresponding processes which can introduce, redistribute or transfer them in coastal marine ecosystems is of the outmost importance, not only as a tool for the environment's characterization but also to identify their corresponding biogeochemical cycles. This type of studies has still not been developed at high latitude marine ecosystems, and the present project is a start-point for it. In this sense, a survey for heavy metals study has been carried out in the Potter Cove (25 de Mayo Island, Southern Shetland Archipelago), from December 1996 to February 1997, in a weekly sampling basis, including different depths samples. Concentrations of dissolved iron and zinc were fully determined. Furthermore, a transect from Potter Cove to one of the tributary streams was done, in order to assess the corresponding land contribution to the marine system.

For instance, not only the vertical distribution of the analyzed metals were studied but also the corresponding spatial distribution of iron and zinc along the mentioned transect were considered.

The obtained results seemed to be a start-point for understanding the biogeochemical cycle of these metals in high latitude environments.