SSF-Svalbard Science Forum

Iron is an element which has great relevance on oceanic biogeochemistry. In its more soluble form, Fe(II), it acts as a biolimiting nutrient regulating the phytoplanktonic bloom, especially in High-Nutrient Low-Chrolophyll Area, which may affect the cycling of carbon, silica and sulphur as demonstrated during the SOIREE Experiment in the Southern Ocean. The main iron source is the Aeolian mineral dust where iron undergoes several chemical transformation modifying the equilibrium between Fe(III) and Fe(II) species. To better understand these processes, surface and sub-surface snow layers, together with ice cores, represent the best matrix where performing iron speciation studies. Unfortunately, there are no methods that have been applied on ice cores and snow samples in order to investigate iron speciation. The objective of the ISSICOS project is to collect ice and snow samples in order to test and validate a new chemiluminesce-based method that will provide first-time data about Fe speciation with picomolar detection limits. Furthermore, this study will also be useful to understand how the meteorological parameters influence the iron speciation on the surface and sub-surface snow layers and if there is any seasonality on the Fe(II)/Fe(III) ratio, from ice cores. The activities to collect the abovementioned samples are planned from the mid of March until the mid of April at the Holtedahlfonna glacier. Springtime in Svalbard is the perfect season to perform studies on Fe photochemical processes (presence of light) and to investigate the potential link between the sulphur cycle and Fe speciation (peak of the phytoplanktonic bloom). ISSICOS is a strongly co-operative project. In fact, a collaboration with the Norwegian Polar Institute will be extremely useful for both parties. Taking advantage of the NPI's plurennnial experience on Svalbard Ice Cores, it is possible to share the new data from Fe speciation in order to widen the Svalbard Islands' climatic knowledge.