Shi, Qiang, Petrick, Gert, Quack, Birgit, Marandino, Christa and Wallace, Douglas W.R. (2014) Seasonal variability of methyl iodide in the Kiel Fjord. Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans, 119 (3). pp. 1609-1620. DOI 10.1002/2013JC009328.

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Abstract

From October 2008 to November 2010, CH3I concentrations were measured in the Kiel Fjord together with potentially related biogeochemical and physical parameters. A repeating seasonal cycle of CH3I was observed with highest concentrations in summer (ca. 8.3 pmol L−1; June and July) and lowest concentrations in winter (ca. 1.5 pmol L−1; December to February). A strong positive correlation at zero lag between [CH3I] and solar radiation (R2 = 0.93) was observed, whereas correlations with other variables (SST, Chlorophyll a) were weaker, and they lagged CH3I by ca. 1 month. These results appear consistent with the hypothesis that SSR is the primary forcing of CH3I production in surface seawater, possibly through a photochemical pathway. A mass balance of the monthly averaged data was used to infer mean rates of daily net production (Pnet) and losses for CH3I over the year. The sea-to-air flux of CH3I in the Kiel Fjord averaged 3.1 nmol m−2 d−1, the mean chemical loss rate was 0.047 pmol L−1 d−1, and Pnet varied systematically from winter to summer (from 0 to 0.6 pmol L−1 d−1). Pnet was correlated at zero lag with SST, SSR, and Chla (R2 = 0.55, 0.67, and 0.73, respectively, p << 0.01). The lagged cross-correlation analysis indicated that SSR led Pnet by 1 month, whereas the strongest cross correlations with Chla were at lags of 0 to +1 month, and SST lagged Pnet by 1 month. The broad seasonal peak of Pnet makes it difficult to determine the key factor controlling CH3I net production using in situ concentration data alone.

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