SONNE SO298

The equatorial Pacific Ocean (EPO) is understudied due to its remoteness. Nevertheless, it is a critical part of the Pacific Ocean for understanding the cycling of trace elements and isotopes (TEIs).
The research topic of the cruise is to determine in detail the distributions, sources and sinks of trace elements and their isotopes (TEIs) in the water column along a zonal section in one of the least studied ocean regions on earth. We aim to investigate the biogeochemical cycling of TEIs, and their interactions with surface ocean productivity and the carbon and nitrogen cycles (including N2 fixation) given that some TEIs act as micro-nutrients. The findings will have global significance for understanding the chemical environment in which ecosystems operate.
The cruise is officially part of the international GEOTRACES program.