| Abstract |
This study aims at investigating the deposition of iron, concerning the Eastern Mediterranean
area. The presence of Fe in the marine ecosystem has been proven to be crucial due to its
ability to act as a nutrient for the growth of the phytoplankton population.
The determination of Fe took place in wet deposition samples originating from the
atmospheric station of Finokalia in Lasithi, Crete, a station belonging to the University of
Crete. The sampling took place between the years 2014-2019.
This particular sampling area is characterized by its long distance from large urban areas and
generally from intense human activities and pollution. That results in its ability to act as a
reference point about the chemical background of the Eastern Mediterranean.
Fe(II)aq and Fe(III)aq are determined using the ferrozine spectrometry method. At the same
time, pH and dust analysis, were performed on the same samples. In addition to the chemical
analysis that took place on the samples, a range of different analytical measurements from
our laboratory researchers, were taken into consideration. These included ion
chromatography for the determination of anions and cations, inductively coupled plasma
mass spectrometry (ICP-OES), for the PFe (particulate Fe) determination and PM10 particle
determination using automated analysis on the sampling area.
The iron concentrations range between 0.022 – 0.662 μM (average 0.107 μM) for Fe(II) and
0.002 – 0.315 μΜ (average 0.078 μΜ) for Fe(III). Iron solubility range between 16.7% (pH 4-
5), to 0.9% (pH > 8), so we can conclude that iron becomes (bio)available only in the presence
of an acidic environment.
The results of the analysis taking place for the years 2014 – 2019 period of time are then
compared with the same analysis from Theodosi Christina (period 2004 – 2010) and
Tsagkaraki Maria (period 2010 – 2014). Specifically, there was an investigation of Fe(II) and
Fe(III), the concentration of PFe and the iron solubility, pH levels and the concentrations of
cations and anions throughout the years.
Of particular interest is the wet deposition samples originating from dust events closer to the
Sahara region that resulted in higher alkaline pH values causing a reduced solubility ability for
iron species, an effect that can impact the marine Eastern Mediterranean ecosystem severely.
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Ειδοχαρακτηρισμός σιδήρου σε δείγματα υγρής εναπόθεσης στην Aνατολική Μεσόγειο
