Dissolved Iron and Nutrient Concentrations from Antarctic Research Cruises

2006 data from the CORSACS project includes concentrations of dissolved iron (dFe), total-dissolvable iron (TDFe), and dissolved macronutrients in surface and water-column samples. Measurements were collected during two research cruises (NBP06-01 and NBP06-08) of the RVIB Nathaniel B. Palmer in the southern Ross Sea. The dataset was contributed by the SCIOPS organization.

Use Cases

• Modeling the relationship between dFe concentrations and macronutrient levels (nitrate+nitrite, phosphate, silicate) to understand nutrient co-limitation.
• Analyzing spatial and depth-based variations in TDFe (dissolved + acid-labile particulate iron) across the Ross Sea sampling sites.
• Correlating surface-water iron data with satellite-derived chlorophyll to assess controls on algal community structure.
• Comparing iron speciation (dFe vs. TDFe) between different water column samples to study particulate iron dissolution.

Strengths

• Includes multiple related chemical measurements (dFe, TDFe, and three macronutrients) per sample.
• Data originates from two dedicated NSF-funded research cruises providing controlled collection methodology.
• Samples cover both surface-water and full water-column profiles for vertical analysis.

Limitations

• Temporal coverage is limited to the year 2006, with no subsequent updates.
• Geographic scope is restricted to the southern Ross Sea, limiting broader regional analysis.
• Sample size and row count are unknown, preventing assessment of statistical power.

Provenance

Source

CORSACS (Controls on Ross Sea Algal Community Structure) program via NASA Earthdata.

Collection Method

Water samples collected during RVIB Nathaniel B. Palmer cruises NBP06-01 and NBP06-08, with subsequent laboratory analysis.

Time Range

2006

Freshness

Last updated in December 2006; static historical dataset.

Geography

Southern Ross Sea, Antarctica.