Dynamics of marine inorganic carbon and silica: A field study of the mechanisms controlling seawater major element concentrations

Abstract

A highly resolved time series of dissolved major element (calcium, strontium, magnesium, and lithium) concentrations in the north Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea, reveals variability in major cation concentrations beyond analytic uncertainties. This variability is composed of an interannual component that is most important for calcium, and a short‐term daily‐timescale component that is most important for lithium. As evident from covariation in calcium, potential alkalinity, and Sr/Ca, the calcium carbonate cycle of the Gulf of Aqaba is dominated by coral calcification, and there was an increase in calcification rates between 2017 and 2018. Variability in lithium concentrations, and larger changes in magnesium concentrations than expected from magnesium distribution coefficients in carbonate minerals, suggest an active cycle of aluminosilicate mineral dissolution, and precipitation of secondary silicate minerals.