Chemical forms of minor metallic elements in the ocean

In order to clarify the chemical forms of minor metallic elements occurring in the ocean, a new method of separation of organic compounds of metals in sea water by using XAD-2 resin was contrived. By applying the new method of determination, it is found that, (1) More than 80 % of V, Fe, Cd and Cu dissolved in sea water are present in organic forms regardless of the depth; (2) A most part of Co and Pb are present in organic forms near the surface, but they change into inorganic forms in the deep layer up to 50 to 60%; (3) Of the total amounts of dissolved Al, Ni, Zn, Ag, Mo, and U, less than 30 % are present in organic forms in sea water anywhere in the ocean; (4) Up to 45% of Se is in organic forms.