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Substantial trace metal input from the 2022 Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai eruption into the South Pacific

Author

Listed:
  • Zhouling Zhang

    (GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel)

  • Antao Xu

    (GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel
    Heidelberg University)

  • Ed Hathorne

    (GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel)

  • Marcus Gutjahr

    (GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel)

  • Thomas J. Browning

    (GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel)

  • Kathleen J. Gosnell

    (GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel)

  • Te Liu

    (GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel
    University of Southampton)

  • Zvi Steiner

    (GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel)

  • Rainer Kiko

    (GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel
    Kiel University)

  • Zhongwei Yuan

    (GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel
    Xiamen University)

  • Haoran Liu

    (GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel
    Xiamen University)

  • Eric P. Achterberg

    (GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel)

  • Martin Frank

    (GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel)

Abstract

The January 2022 eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai (HTHH) volcano discharged 2,900 teragrams of ejecta, most of which was deposited in the South Pacific Ocean. Here we investigate its impact on the biogeochemistry of the South Pacific Gyre (SPG) using samples collected during the GEOTRACES cruise GP21 in February-April 2022. Surface water neodymium isotopes and rare earth element compositions showed a marked volcanic impact in the western SPG, potentially extending to the eastern region. Increasing trace metal concentrations in surface waters and chlorophyll-a inventories in euphotic layers between the eastern and western SPG further suggest that the volcanic eruption supplied (micro)nutrients potentially stimulating a biological response. We estimate that the HTHH eruption released up to 0.16 kt of neodymium and 32 kt of iron into the SPG, which is comparable to the annual global dust-borne Nd flux and the annual dust-borne Fe flux to the entire SPG, respectively.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhouling Zhang & Antao Xu & Ed Hathorne & Marcus Gutjahr & Thomas J. Browning & Kathleen J. Gosnell & Te Liu & Zvi Steiner & Rainer Kiko & Zhongwei Yuan & Haoran Liu & Eric P. Achterberg & Martin Fran, 2024. "Substantial trace metal input from the 2022 Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai eruption into the South Pacific," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-52904-3
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-52904-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Antao Xu & Ed Hathorne & Georgi Laukert & Martin Frank, 2023. "Overlooked riverine contributions of dissolved neodymium and hafnium to the Amazon estuary and oceans," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-12, December.
    2. Thomas J. Browning & C. Mark Moore, 2023. "Global analysis of ocean phytoplankton nutrient limitation reveals high prevalence of co-limitation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-12, December.
    3. Andrew J. Watson, 1997. "Volcanic iron, CO2, ocean productivity and climate," Nature, Nature, vol. 385(6617), pages 587-588, February.
    4. Jianghui Du & Alan C. Mix & Brian A. Haley & Christina L. Belanger & Sharon, 2022. "Volcanic trigger of ocean deoxygenation during Cordilleran ice sheet retreat," Nature, Nature, vol. 611(7934), pages 74-80, November.
    5. Martin Jutzeler & Robert Marsh & Rebecca J. Carey & James D. L. White & Peter J. Talling & Leif Karlstrom, 2014. "On the fate of pumice rafts formed during the 2012 Havre submarine eruption," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 5(1), pages 1-10, May.
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