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Rare-earth distributions with a positive Ce anomaly in the Western North Atlantic Ocean

Nature volume 301, pages 324–327 (1983)Cite this article

Abstract

From the vertical distributions of the rare-earth elements (REE) in the Sargasso Sea we now report the first profiles of Pr, Tb, Ho, Tm and Lu in seawater, together with profiles for La, Ce, Sm, Eu and Yb. The first observations of positive Ce anomalies in seawater are ascribed to reducing inshore sediments as a source for Ce (ref. 1). All vertical profiles are consistent with adsorption of trivalent rare earths by settling particles, possibly siliceous or calcareous, followed by their release at or near the sea floor on dissolution of the carriers. The very different Ce profile demonstrates the additional effects of oxidation–reduction reactions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, 02543, USA

    H. J. W. De Baar, M. P. Bacon & P. G. Brewer

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  1. H. J. W. De Baar
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  2. M. P. Bacon
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  3. P. G. Brewer
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De Baar, H., Bacon, M. & Brewer, P. Rare-earth distributions with a positive Ce anomaly in the Western North Atlantic Ocean. Nature 301, 324–327 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1038/301324a0

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