The inputs of dust derived elements to the Sargasso Sea; a synthesis

Aluminosilicate mineral aerosol (dust) is traced from its predominant North African source to the Sargasso Sea. The mechanisms of dust production, atmospheric transport and atmospheric transformation are briefly reviewed highlighting the issue of solubilisation during long range transport. The deposition and transformation of dust in the surface ocean are then considered together with estimated upwelling fluxes to derive estimates of the residence time of dissolved and total aluminium, manganese and iron in the euphotic zone of the Sargasso Sea. The flux estimates for dissolved iron are also compared to export production estimates for iron as an independent check.