UC Berkeley

Concentrations of Cd and P were determined in particle samples collected using the multiple unit large volume in situ filtration system (MULVFS) from 50 profiles at 34 different locations throughout the Atlantic, Pacific, and Southern Oceans since 1991. Consistent methodology has been used. This data set of Cd:P in size fractionated particles gives insight into the processes that lead to differences in regional Cd:P particle values as well as how the formation and remineralization of these particles lead to dissolved deep water ratios that increase from the North Atlantic to the North Pacific. With large spatial and temporal variation, this data set allows us to study the effects of an El Niño, upwelling, large-scale in situ Fe fertilization, low-oxygen conditions, and seasonal variation on the Cd:P in particles. Overall, Cd:P tends to be higher (~1–2 mmol/mol) in particles gathered in biologically dynamic waters and is much lower (typically ~0.1 mmol/mol) in oligotrophic regions. Using multiple linear regression analysis, we investigate how euphotic zone parameters important to photosynthesis including nitrate, phosphate, silicate, temperature, and euphotic zone depth affect the Cd:P ratio in particles. Using the results of the analysis, we create global seasonal maps of predicted particulate Cd:P distributions. We find that three factors—local dissolved nitrate, silicate concentrations, and euphotic zone depth—can predict 59% of the variation in particulate Cd:P. We verified our projections using in situ filtration samples collected during GEOTRACES expeditions GA03 (North Atlantic) and GP16 (South Pacific).