Distribution of chromium in the open oceans and hydrothermal areas and factors affecting the distribution of chromium species

Abstract

The vertical distribution of total dissolved Cr at stations along 160°W in the Pacific Ocean and the vertical distribution of total dissolved Cr at stations in the Indian Ocean were of weakly nutrient type at most stations. There was no marked difference in the pattern of vertical distribution at each of the two areas. The mean concentration in the Pacific Ocean (7 nmol/L) was higher than that in the Indian Ocean (4 nmol/L). In the hydrothermal active areas, decrease in Cr(VI) was observed at depths affected by the hydrothermal plumes, indicating that the reduction and removal of Cr(VI) by hydrothermal source materials has a significant effect on the vertical distribution of Cr.