The Voltammetric Determination of Trace Metal Concentrations and Organic Complexation in Seawater.

Abstract

Abstract : Biological processes can strongly influence the oceanic chemistries of trace metals and, in turn, trace metals can influence plankton production and community structure. Our knowledge of the oceanic concentrations, distributions, and cycles of trace metals have advanced significantly (see Bruland 1983; Whitfield and Turner 1987). We now know the bioactive trace metals exist at nanomolar (10-9 M) to picomolar (10-12 M) concentrations in oceanic waters. In addition, marine chemists have recently advanced their ability to characteristics the chemical speciation of these bioactive trace metals in the sea; that is, we can now determine their free ion concentrations and the extent to which certain trace metals interact with organic and inorganic ligands naturally present in oceanic surface waters.