Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3777
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3777
19 Dec 2024
 | 19 Dec 2024

Iron isotopes reveal significant aerosol dissolution over the Pacific Ocean

Capucine Camin, François Lacan, Catherine Pradoux, Marie Labatut, Anne Johansen, and James W. Murray

Abstract. This study presents aerosol iron isotopic compositions (δ56Fe) in Western and Central Equatorial and Tropical Pacific Ocean. Aerosols supply iron (Fe), a critical element for marine primary production, to the open ocean. Particulate aerosols, > 1 µm, were sampled during EUCFe cruise (RV Kilo Moana, PI: J. W. Murray, 2006). One aerosol sample was isotopically lighter than the crust (δ56Fe=-0.16 ± 0.07 ‰, 95 % confidence interval), possibly originating from combustion processes. The nine other aerosol samples were isotopically heavier than the crust, with a rather homogeneous signature of 0.31 ± 0.21 ‰ (2SD, n=9). Given i) this homogeneity compared to the diversity of their modeled geographic origin and ii) the values of the Fe/Ti ratios used as a lithogenic tracer, we suggest that these heavy δ56Fe signatures reflect isotopic fractionation of crustal aerosols caused by atmospheric processes. Using a fractionation factor of Δsolution - particle=-1.1 ‰, a partial dissolution of ≈20 % of the initial aerosol iron content, followed by the removal of this dissolved fraction, would explain the observed slightly heavy Fe isotope signatures. Such fractionation has been observed previously in laboratory experiments, but never before in a natural environment. The removal of the dissolved fraction of the aerosols has not been previously documented either. This work illustrates the strong constrains provided by the use of iron isotopes for atmospheric process studies.

Publisher's note: Copernicus Publications remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this preprint. The responsibility to include appropriate place names lies with the authors.
Share

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

30 Jul 2025
Iron isotopes suggest significant aerosol dissolution over the Pacific Ocean
Capucine Camin, François Lacan, Catherine Pradoux, Marie Labatut, Anne Johansen, and James W. Murray
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 8213–8228, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-8213-2025,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-8213-2025, 2025
Short summary
Capucine Camin, François Lacan, Catherine Pradoux, Marie Labatut, Anne Johansen, and James W. Murray

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3777', Anonymous Referee #1, 14 Jan 2025
    • AC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3777', Capucine Camin, 28 Mar 2025
    • AC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3777', Capucine Camin, 28 Mar 2025
    • AC3: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3777', Capucine Camin, 28 Mar 2025
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3777', Anonymous Referee #2, 17 Jan 2025
    • AC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3777', Capucine Camin, 28 Mar 2025
    • AC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3777', Capucine Camin, 28 Mar 2025
    • AC3: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3777', Capucine Camin, 28 Mar 2025
  • AC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3777', Capucine Camin, 28 Mar 2025
  • AC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3777', Capucine Camin, 28 Mar 2025
  • AC3: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3777', Capucine Camin, 28 Mar 2025

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3777', Anonymous Referee #1, 14 Jan 2025
    • AC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3777', Capucine Camin, 28 Mar 2025
    • AC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3777', Capucine Camin, 28 Mar 2025
    • AC3: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3777', Capucine Camin, 28 Mar 2025
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3777', Anonymous Referee #2, 17 Jan 2025
    • AC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3777', Capucine Camin, 28 Mar 2025
    • AC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3777', Capucine Camin, 28 Mar 2025
    • AC3: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3777', Capucine Camin, 28 Mar 2025
  • AC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3777', Capucine Camin, 28 Mar 2025
  • AC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3777', Capucine Camin, 28 Mar 2025
  • AC3: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3777', Capucine Camin, 28 Mar 2025

Peer review completion

AR: Author's response | RR: Referee report | ED: Editor decision | EF: Editorial file upload
AR by Capucine Camin on behalf of the Authors (28 Mar 2025)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Publish subject to technical corrections (09 Apr 2025) by Markus Ammann
AR by Capucine Camin on behalf of the Authors (16 Apr 2025)  Author's response   Manuscript 

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

30 Jul 2025
Iron isotopes suggest significant aerosol dissolution over the Pacific Ocean
Capucine Camin, François Lacan, Catherine Pradoux, Marie Labatut, Anne Johansen, and James W. Murray
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 8213–8228, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-8213-2025,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-8213-2025, 2025
Short summary
Capucine Camin, François Lacan, Catherine Pradoux, Marie Labatut, Anne Johansen, and James W. Murray
Capucine Camin, François Lacan, Catherine Pradoux, Marie Labatut, Anne Johansen, and James W. Murray

Viewed

Total article views: 407 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
HTML PDF XML Total BibTeX EndNote
298 79 30 407 16 21
  • HTML: 298
  • PDF: 79
  • XML: 30
  • Total: 407
  • BibTeX: 16
  • EndNote: 21
Views and downloads (calculated since 19 Dec 2024)
Cumulative views and downloads (calculated since 19 Dec 2024)

Viewed (geographical distribution)

Total article views: 395 (including HTML, PDF, and XML) Thereof 395 with geography defined and 0 with unknown origin.
Country # Views %
  • 1
1
 
 
 
 
Latest update: 30 Jul 2025
Download

The requested preprint has a corresponding peer-reviewed final revised paper. You are encouraged to refer to the final revised version.

Short summary
This manuscript presents the chemical composition of aerosols (> 1µm) over the Equatorial and Tropical Pacific Ocean, presenting the first measurements of iron isotopes in aerosols from this region. Iron concentrations and isotopes were determined using a Neptune MC-ICPMS. Our data analysis reveals that a significant portion of the aerosols undergo dissolution and removal during atmospheric transport. These findings contribute to original conclusions about the chemistry and physics of aerosols.
Share