Vertical flux of particulate Al, Fe, Pb, and Ba from the upper ocean estimated from 234Th/238U disequilibria

The vertical sinking flux of particulate Al, Fe, Pb, and Ba from the upper 250 m of the Labrador Sea has been estimated from measurements of 234Th/238U disequilibrium and the respective metal/234Th ratios in >53 μm size particles. 234Th-derived particulate metal fluxes include in situ scavenged metals, labile lithogenic metals, and metals derived from external input (e.g., atmospheric supply). In contrast to the POC/234Th ratio, particle size-fractionated (0.4–10 μm, 10–53 μm, and >53 μm) Al/234Th, Fe/234Th and Pb/234Th, and Ba/234Th ratios generally increase with depth and exhibit no systematic change with particle diameter. Sinking fluxes of particulate Al (2.47–22.3 μmol m−2 d−1), Fe (2.69–16.3 μmol m−2 d−1), Pb (2.85–70 nmol m−2 d−1), and Ba (0.13–2.1 μmol m−2 d−1) at 50 m (base of the euphotic zone) and 100 m (base of the mixed layer) are largely within the range of previous sediment trap results from other ocean basins. Estimates of the upper ocean residence time of Al (0.07–0.28 yr) and Pb (0.8–2.9 yr) are short compared to previously reported values. The settling rate of >53 μm particles calculated from the 234Th data ranges from 14 to 38 m d−1.