Origin of iron and aluminium in large particles (> 53 mu m) in the Crozet region, Southern Ocean

Natural iron fertilization processes are Occurring around the Crozet Islands (46 degrees 26'S-52 degrees 18'E), thus relieving the water masses from the normally encountered High Nutrients Low Chlorophyll (HNLC) conditions of the Southern Ocean. During austral summers 2004/2005 and 2005/2006, iron and aluminium concentrations were investigated in large particles (>53 mu m) collected from just below the mixed layer at stations under the influence of island inputs, and also in adjacent HNLC waters. These large particles are anticipated to sink out of the mixed layer, and to reflect the net effects of input and cycling of these elements in the overlying mixed layer. Labile and refractory fractions were determined by a two-stage leaching technique. Data showed that water masses downstream of the islands were enriched in total iron and aluminium (0.25-2.68 nmol L(-1) and 0.34-3.28 nmol L(-1) respectively), relative to the southern HNLC control sites (0.15-0.29 nmol L(-1) for Fe and 0.12-0.29 nmol L(-1) for Al), with only a small fraction (typically