Biological availability of metals in Juan de Fuca Strait

• Main Author: Cave, William Rutherford
• Language: English
• Published: 2010
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2429/20293

A relationship between the biological availability of metal in Juan de Fuca Strait and the presence of organic complexing agents has been suggested. Research carried out in Juan de Fuca Strait during February - June, 1976 showed a seasonal occurrence of increased DOC was directly related to the appearance of higher salinity, lower temperature and oxygen, upwelled water and increased surface productivity in the Strait. The suggested mechanism for upwelling being the W-NW winds which predominate the late Spring-Summer period annually. The biological availability of metals is reduced in oceanic water on introduction of upwelled water containing organically complexed metal. The survival of organisms resident in that water is reduced while subsequent 'ageing' of the water may lead to a gradual increase in the survival. === Science, Faculty of === Zoology, Department of === Graduate