At-sea high-resolution chemical mapping: extreme barium depletion in North Pacific surface water

We have modified an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICPMS) for use at sea, which permits mapping of dissolved Ba at high temporal and spatial resolution. While evaluating this system off the Pacific coast of Baja California, we discovered Ba depletion greater than 60% in surface waters over tens of kilometers. Observed Ba abundance is among the lowest reported in any ocean water. No corresponding depletion was seen in Sr, which strongly suggests that acantharians are not the primary source of biogenic Ba in these surface waters.