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Biogeochemistry of Trace Elements in the Marine Environment
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Biogeochemistry of Trace Elements in the Marine Environment

A special issue of Journal of Marine Science and Engineering (ISSN 2077-1312). This special issue belongs to the section "Chemical Oceanography".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 December 2023) | Viewed by 8631

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Marina Mlakar

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute Ruder Boskovic, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Interests: marine and environmental research; trace elements, biogeochemical cycle
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Marine biogeochemistry is focused on understanding biogeochemical processes in marine systems, binding interactions with the atmosphere, coastal areas, and terrestrial systems. Recently, the awareness of marine ecosystem alterations and anthropogenically conditioned climate change has increased, as well as the relations with global disbalances (changing habitats, invasive species, etc.).

Marine biogeochemistry research embraces the biogeochemical cycling of micronutrients such as carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, and iron, as well as organic matter. They are crucial for understanding climate change due to their role in carbon cycle–climate system interactions. Aerosols are significant for global pollution, biogeochemical cycles, climate, and dust deposition into the ocean, and elucidate the role of aeolian sources of elements critical for carbon and nutrient cycling in the oceans. Biogeochemical investigations involve microbial–chemical interactions in redox transition zones. Therefore, it is essential to explore all processes between the atmosphere, oceans, lakes, rivers, and groundwater using an interdisciplinary approach following physical, chemical, biological, and geological variables.

Dr. Marina Mlakar
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • changes in ocean chemistry
  • marine litter and microplastics
  • hypoxic/anoxic events
  • climate change impacts
  • new techniques/methodologies
  • sediment geochemistry
  • bioaccumulation and the effects of contaminants
  • multiple stressors impacting biogeochemical processes

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

22 pages, 2164 KiB  
Article
Early Diagenetic Processes in the Sediments of the Krka River Estuary
by Nuša Cukrov, Neven Cukrov and Dario Omanović
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(3), 466; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12030466 - 8 Mar 2024
Viewed by 699
Abstract
To study the processes that govern the post-depositional mobility of metals in the estuarine sediment, five sediment cores were sampled in the Krka River estuary (Croatia). The obtained concentration ranges in the pore water were 0.057–49.7 μM for Fe, 0.310–100 μM for Mn, [...] Read more.
To study the processes that govern the post-depositional mobility of metals in the estuarine sediment, five sediment cores were sampled in the Krka River estuary (Croatia). The obtained concentration ranges in the pore water were 0.057–49.7 μM for Fe, 0.310–100 μM for Mn, 0.068–26.8 nM for Co, 0.126–153 nM for Cu, 11.5–2793 nM for Zn, 0.222–31.3 nM for Pb, 4.09–59.4 nM for U, 38.8–2228 nM for Mo, and 0.065–2.29 nM for As. The vertical distribution of metals in the dissolved and solid fraction of the sediment, coupled with other diagenetic tracers (e.g., dissolved sulphide), demonstrate the importance of early diagenetic reactions, in particular Fe and Mn oxyhydroxide and sulphate reduction, for the cycling of metals in the sediment. The redox zonation in the sediment was compressed, and the suboxic zone occurs immediately below the sediment–water interface. The estimated benthic fluxes in the estuary were 5220 kg y−1 for Fe, 27,100 kg y−1 for Mn, 6.00 kg y−1 for Co, 20.5 kg y−1 for Cu, 5.16 kg y−1 for Pb, 111 kg y−1 for Mo, and 87.3 kg y−1 for As. The riverine input was more important than the benthic flux, except in the case of Mn and Fe. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biogeochemistry of Trace Elements in the Marine Environment)
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15 pages, 3362 KiB  
Article
A New Approach to Characterize Siderophore-Type Ligands in Seawater by Solid Phase Synthesis and SPE-HPLC-ESI-MS/MS Analysis
by Paola Rivaro, Davide Vivado, Carmela Ianni, Annalisa Salis, Alice Parodi and Enrico Millo
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(1), 110; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12010110 - 6 Jan 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 849
Abstract
Siderophores are organic ligands involved in dissolved iron (dFe) speciation in the oceans. Their study is crucial for a better understanding of the biogeochemical cycle of Fe in the marine environment, particularly in certain areas, such as the Southern Ocean, where Fe deficiency [...] Read more.
Siderophores are organic ligands involved in dissolved iron (dFe) speciation in the oceans. Their study is crucial for a better understanding of the biogeochemical cycle of Fe in the marine environment, particularly in certain areas, such as the Southern Ocean, where Fe deficiency limits marine productivity. In this study, an analytical method is proposed for the extraction and pre-concentration of siderophores from seawater samples by solid phase extraction (SPE) and subsequent analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography—electrospray ionization—mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS/MS). Two siderophores were used as standards: Ferrioxamine E, a commercially available hydroxamate siderophore, and a staphyloferrin A-like compound with two citric acid units, synthesized in our laboratories by solid-phase peptide synthesis. A central composite design, considering different pH (2, 3.5, and 5) and sample loading volume (50, 125 and 200 mL) as variables, was used to optimize the extraction yield with SPE C18 cartridges. Tests were conducted on samples of artificial seawater spiked with siderophore standards. Ferrioxamine E showed high extraction yields in all tests carried out. On the contrary, the extraction of staphyloferrin A-like compound was significantly affected by both pH and loading volume. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biogeochemistry of Trace Elements in the Marine Environment)
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17 pages, 2390 KiB  
Article
Different Source Contributions of Bioactive Trace Metals in Sinking Particles in the Northern South China Sea
by Weiying Li, Jingjing Zhang, Hongliang Li, Zezhou Wu, Xingju He, Lihua Ran, Martin G. Wiesner and Jianfang Chen
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2023, 11(11), 2125; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse11112125 - 7 Nov 2023
Viewed by 899
Abstract
Time-series samples intercepted via three synchronized moored sediment traps, deployed at 1000 m, 2150 m, and 3200 m in the northern South China Sea (NSCS) during June 2009–May 2010, were analyzed to quantify the bioactive trace metal fluxes in sinking particles and investigate [...] Read more.
Time-series samples intercepted via three synchronized moored sediment traps, deployed at 1000 m, 2150 m, and 3200 m in the northern South China Sea (NSCS) during June 2009–May 2010, were analyzed to quantify the bioactive trace metal fluxes in sinking particles and investigate their different source contributions. Iron (Fe) primarily originated from lithogenic sources. Manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) exhibited various degrees of enrichment over their continental crustal ratios. Since the sources of bioactive trace metals in sinking particles can be divided into lithogenic, biogenic, and excess fractions, mass conservation calculations were used to quantify the contribution of each source. The results showed that Fe, Mn, and Co had extremely low biogenic proportions (0.1–3.3%), while Ni, Cu, and Zn had higher proportions (2.7–17.3%), with the biogenic fraction decreasing with the depth. Moreover, excess sources accounted for a significant proportion of Mn (68–75%), Co (34–54%), Ni (60–62%), Cu (59–74%), and Zn (56–65%) in sinking particles at the three sampling depths. The excess fractions of Mn, Co, and Cu in sinking particles can be affected by authigenic particles. This is supported by their similar scavenging-type behavior, as observed via the increase in their fluxes and enrichment patterns with the increasing depth. Furthermore, the excess fractions of Ni, Cu, and Zn may have significant contributions from anthropogenic sources. The variability of Fe in sinking particles was mainly controlled via lithogenic matter. Notably, organic matter and opal were found to be pivotal carriers in the export of excess bioactive trace metals (Mn, Co, Ni, and Cu) via the water column, accompanied with the elevated ballast effect of lithogenic matter with the depth. However, the transportation of excess Zn was more complicated due to the intricate processes involved in Zn dynamics. These findings contribute to our understanding of the sources and transport mechanisms of bioactive trace metals in the marine environment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biogeochemistry of Trace Elements in the Marine Environment)
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21 pages, 13219 KiB  
Article
The Clay Mineralogy and Geochemistry of Sediments in the Beibu Gulf, South China Sea: A Record of the Holocene Sedimentary Environmental Change
by Yao Guan, Yuxi Chen, Xiaoming Sun, Li Xu, Dong Xu, Zuhao Zhu and Wentao He
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2023, 11(7), 1463; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse11071463 - 23 Jul 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1187
Abstract
In this study, we analyzed the clay mineralogy and geochemistry of surface and drill core samples from the northeastern Beibu Gulf in order to unravel the sediment provenance of, and factors controlling, the sedimentary environment. The main clay mineral assemblage in the surface [...] Read more.
In this study, we analyzed the clay mineralogy and geochemistry of surface and drill core samples from the northeastern Beibu Gulf in order to unravel the sediment provenance of, and factors controlling, the sedimentary environment. The main clay mineral assemblage in the surface sediment samples included kaolinite (27–72%), smectite (4–51%), illite (7–20%), and chlorite (8–17%). The study area comprises three major clay distribution zones (from the northeastern coastal area to central Beibu Gulf basin), i.e., the kaolinite-dominated, kaolinite–smectite, and smectite-dominated zones. The zoning of the clay mineralogy and major and trace elements indicated the mixing of coarse terrigenous sediments with distal fine sediments. Early Holocene sea level rise was documented in core B15-1, which had three sedimentary units (divided into Units 1–3 from top to bottom), as revealed by the changes in the dominant clay minerals and geochemical/oxide ratios (SiO2/Al2O3, Rb/Sr, Sr/Ba, and Ti/Ca) in Unit 2. Unit 1 and Unit 3 were likely deposited in the continental and marine environments, respectively. The low sedimentation rate and hydrodynamic disturbance may have influenced the deposition process more than climatic fluctuations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biogeochemistry of Trace Elements in the Marine Environment)
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13 pages, 1728 KiB  
Article
Heavy Metal Contamination and Ecological Risk Assessment in the Sediment Cores of the Wetlands in Southern Thailand
by Siriporn Pradit, Prakrit Noppradit, Panisara Jitkaew, Karnda Sengloyluan, Thawanrat Kobkeatthawin, Araf Laerosa and Sanya Sirivithayapakorn
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10(12), 1921; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse10121921 - 6 Dec 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2789
Abstract
The concentration and distribution of trace metals were determined in sediment cores from the Khuan Khi Sian wetland, Thailand. The sediment cores were collected from seven stations in the dry and wet seasons in 2022. The concentration of Pb, As, and Cd in [...] Read more.
The concentration and distribution of trace metals were determined in sediment cores from the Khuan Khi Sian wetland, Thailand. The sediment cores were collected from seven stations in the dry and wet seasons in 2022. The concentration of Pb, As, and Cd in the dry season were in the range 0.00–60.16, 0.00–6.68, and 0.00–0.92 mg/kg (dry weight), respectively. Meanwhile, the concentration of Pb, As, and Cd in the wet season were in the range 0.00–12.12, 0.00–3.86, and 0.00–0.92 mg/kg (dry weight), respectively. The vertical profiles of metal concentrations in core sediment show a general increase from bottom to top. Average concentrations of heavy metals in the sediments of the Khuan Khi Sian wetland are found to be lower than the sediment quality guideline. In the sediment cores, only As in the dry season exceeded the U.S. EPA standard. The calculated enrichment factor (EF) and the geoaccumulation index (Igeo) indicate that the sediments were moderately polluted with As in some locations. According to the Ri analysis, Pb was low risk but the criteria of ecological risk of As and Cd are considerable and they are considered high risk. This is potentially due to agricultural activities and land use around the wetland areas and municipalities. The concentration of As and Cd should be of concern and subject to regular monitoring. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biogeochemistry of Trace Elements in the Marine Environment)
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12 pages, 12111 KiB  
Article
Study on the Surface Interactions of Co(II) with Phospholipids from the Marine Environment
by Anđela Bačinić, Petra Vukosav, Ivana Kero and Marina Mlakar
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10(9), 1261; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse10091261 - 7 Sep 2022
Viewed by 1458
Abstract
Natural phospholipid (PL)n extract from cultured green algae Dunaliela tertiolecta was used as the main component of cell membranes for studies on the interaction with trace metal Co(II). The phospholipids of the membranes were extracted from other biological components using TiO2 [...] Read more.
Natural phospholipid (PL)n extract from cultured green algae Dunaliela tertiolecta was used as the main component of cell membranes for studies on the interaction with trace metal Co(II). The phospholipids of the membranes were extracted from other biological components using TiO2-µSPE cartridges selective for the phosphate group according to a completely new protocol. The interaction of Co(II) with natural and standard phospholipids, phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), and phosphatidylglycerol (PG) are registered only in the presence of the additional chelating ligand 1,10-Phenathroline (Phen). 1,10-Phenathroline, as a model of humic substances in the marine environment, formed a neutral complex with Co(II) by the substitution of water molecules of central metal ions. The interaction of hydrophobic mixed-ligand complexes with phospholipids was enabled by the substitution of the remaining water molecules in the coordination shell of Co(II), which was registered by voltammetric measurements. The Co(II)-Phen-PL complex is reduced from the adsorbed state at −1.65 V by the transfer of two electrons, followed by its irreversible dissociation and desorption, indicating an EC mechanism. The interaction between the mixed-ligand complexes Co(II)-Phen-lipids was confirmed by atomic force microscopy (AFM). AFM images of PL, PL with Phen mixture and PL, Phen with Co(II) showed different 3D structures on the mica surface, indicating changes caused by the interaction between cobalt(II), 1,10-Phenanthroline and phospholipids. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biogeochemistry of Trace Elements in the Marine Environment)
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