Dissolved gallium in the open ocean

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Greater understanding of the distributions and biogeochemical cycling of trace metals in the oceans has recently been attained due largely to advances in analytical chemistry and in trace metal sampling. We present here the first oceanographically consistent distribution of dissolved gallium in the open ocean, with concentrations 1–2 orders of magnitude lower than those reported previously1–3. The distribution of dissolved gallium is complex, indicating multiple sources and removal by scavenging throughout the water column.