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Temporal and spatial variability in the hydrothermal signature of sinking particles and sediments in the Western Tropical South Pacific Ocean
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  • Chloé Tilliette,
  • Frédéric Gazeau,
  • Valerie Chavagnac,
  • Nathalie Leblond,
  • Maryline Montanes,
  • Karine Leblanc,
  • Sabine Schmidt,
  • Bruno Charrière,
  • Nagib Bhairy,
  • Cécile Guieu
Chloé Tilliette
Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Laboratoire d'Océanographie de Villefranche

Corresponding Author:chloe.tilliette@imev-mer.fr

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Frédéric Gazeau
Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Laboratoire d'Océanographie de Villefranche
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Valerie Chavagnac
Geosciences Environnement Toulouse, Université de Toulouse
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Nathalie Leblond
LOV-CNRS UMR 7093
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Maryline Montanes
Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Laboratoire d'Océanographie de Villefranche
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Karine Leblanc
MIO, CNRS - Université Aix-Marseille
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Sabine Schmidt
Université de Bordeaux, EPOC, UMR 5805 CNRS
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Bruno Charrière
CEFREM
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Nagib Bhairy
MIO, CNRS - Université Aix-Marseille
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Cécile Guieu
Laboratoire d'Océanographie de Villefranche, LOV
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Abstract

Iron (Fe) is an essential micronutrient for phytoplankton, particularly diazotrophs, which are abundant in the Western Tropical South Pacific Ocean (WTSP). Their success depends on the numerous trace metals, particularly iron, released from shallow hydrothermal vents along the Tonga Arc. This study aimed to explore the impact of hydrothermal fluids on particulate trace metal concentrations and biological activity. To identify the composition of sinking particles across a wide area of the WTSP, we deployed sediment traps at various depths, both close and further west of the Tonga Arc. Seafloor sediments were cored at these deployment sites, including at a remote location in the South Pacific Gyre. The sinking particles were composed of a large amount of biological material, indicative of the high productivity of the Lau Basin. A significant portion of this material was lithogenic of hydrothermal origin, as revealed through Al-Fe-Mn tracing. The sinking material showed similar patterns between lithogenic and biogenic fractions, indicating that hydrothermal input within the photic layer triggered surface production. A hydrothermal fingerprint was suggested in the sediments due to the high sedimentation rates and the presence of large, heterogeneous, trace metal-rich particles. The presence of nearby active deep hydrothermal sources was suspected near the Lau Ridge due to the large particle size and the significant enrichment of Fe and Mn. Overall, this study revealed that deep and shallow hydrothermal sources along with submarine volcanism have a significant influence on the biogeochemical signature of particles in the Lau Basin at large spatial and temporal scales.
15 Mar 2023Submitted to ESS Open Archive
16 Mar 2023Published in ESS Open Archive