Rapid neodymium release to marine waters from lithogenic sediments in the Amazon estuary

Type Article
Date 2015-07-09
Language English
Author(s) Rousseau Tristan C. C.1, Sonke Jeroen E.1, Chmeleff Jerome1, Van Beek Pieter2, Souhaut Marc2, Boaventura Geraldo3, Seyler Patrick4, Jeandel Catherine2
Affiliation(s) 1 : Univ Toulouse, CNRS, CNES, GET,IRD, F-31400 Toulouse, France.
2 : Univ Toulouse, CNRS, CNES, LEGOS,IRD, F-31400 Toulouse, France.
3 : Univ Brasilia, UNB, LAGEQ, BR-70910900 Brasilia, DF, Brazil.
4 : Univ Montpellier, IRD, CNRS, Hydrosci Montpellier, F-34000 Montpellier, France.
Source Nature Communications (2041-1723) (Nature Publishing Group), 2015-07-09 , Vol. 6 , N. 7592 , P. 1-8
DOI 10.1038/ncomms8592
WOS© Times Cited 122
Keyword(s) Earth sciences, Biogeochemistry, Oceanography
Abstract Rare earth element (REE) concentrations and neodymium isotopic composition (epsilon Nd) are tracers for ocean circulation and biogeochemistry. Although models suggest that REE release from lithogenic sediment in river discharge may dominate all other REE inputs to the oceans, the occurrence, mechanisms and magnitude of such a source are still debated. Here we present the first simultaneous observations of dissolved (< 0.45 mu m), colloidal and particulate REE and eNd in the Amazon estuary. A sharp drop in dissolved REE in the low-salinity zone is driven by coagulation of colloidal matter. At mid-salinities, total dissolved REE levels slightly increase, while epsilon Nd values are shifted from the dissolved Nd river endmember (- 8.9) to values typical of river suspended matter (- 10.6). Combining a Nd isotope mass balance with apparent radium isotope ages of estuarine waters suggests a rapid (3 weeks) and globally significant Nd release by dissolution of lithogenic suspended sediments.
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Rousseau Tristan C. C., Sonke Jeroen E., Chmeleff Jerome, Van Beek Pieter, Souhaut Marc, Boaventura Geraldo, Seyler Patrick, Jeandel Catherine (2015). Rapid neodymium release to marine waters from lithogenic sediments in the Amazon estuary. Nature Communications, 6(7592), 1-8. Publisher's official version : https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms8592 , Open Access version : https://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00298/40952/