Distribution of rare earth elements and neodymium isotopes in settling particulate material of the tropical Atlantic Ocean (EUMELI site)

Rare earth element (REE) concentrations and neodymium (Nd) isotopic ratios of settling particles were examined to quantify chemical processes in the water column of the tropical Atlantic Ocean. The settling particles, trapped at 2,500 m, were collected at the mesotrophic site and oligotrophic site in the northeastern part of the region. The use of REE pattern in combination with Nd isotopes show that this method is powerful in tracing the interactions of REE with seawater and marine particles. The results on Cerium anomaly, the light REE enrichment and Nd isotopic composition for bulk sample are presented.