Abstract: Incorporation of a liquid waveguide capillary flow cell in a gas-segmented continuous flow auto-analyzer significantly enhances the sensitivity of automated colorimetric analysis. Nanomolar concentrations of nitrite and nitrate in oligotrophic surface seawater can be accurately determined. The advantages of this technique are low detection limit, high precision, and automation for rapid analysis of a large number of samples. This technique was successfully used on shipboard measurements of about 1000 seawater samples during a one-month cruise in the North Atlantic.

Abstract: A towed surface sampling device coupled to two automated flow injection analysis (FIA) systems is described. The towed system permits uncontaminated sampling of seawater from research vessels while underway at full speed. Coupling the sampler to the FIA systems permits automatic determination of Al and Fe in surface waters at natural levels at 5 min intervals, equivalent to similar to 1.5 km spacing at a ship speed of 10 knots (5 m s-1). Results from the tropical Atlantic indicate significant (50%) variation in concentrations of both Al and Fe on space scales of less than 90 km. The combined system facilitates surface mapping of large regions of the ocean for dissolved Al and Fe, thus identifying the sites and magnitude of eolian deposition to the surface ocean. In combination with the determination of nutrients and other biological parameters this permits the investigation of the role that eolian deposition plays in modifying surface water biogeochemical cycles.