Atmospheric metal and phosphorus concentrations, inputs, and their biogeochemical significances in the Japan/East Sea

Atmospheric metals and phosphorus over the southern Japan/East Sea were investigated in order to evaluate their sources, concentrations and inputs, and to identify their biogeochemical roles in this marginal sea. Aerosols were collected on the east coast of Korea from February 2002 to April 2003 (n = 101) as well as at a remote island (Ulleung) and on a ship from February 2002 to June 2003 (n = 13). The aerosols were analyzed for Al, Co, Cu, Ni, P, Pb and Zn. Simultaneous collections of aerosols at both coast and offshore were performed, and several high dust aerosols (Al > 5 μg m− 3) were collected at both regions. At the coastal site, both dust mineral and pollutants were transported by westerly winds from the Asian continent, but local emissions were significant (e.g., Cu, Ni, P and Zn) as well during the summer monsoon (May–August). The experimental relationships between the coast and offshore sites were defined. From these relationships, it was possible to obtain the annually averaged atmospheric metal and P concentrations over the southern Japan/East Sea, which has increased by over 2 times for the last decade. Through the estimation of atmospheric metal and phosphorus fluxes and comparisons with inputs from the Tsushima Warm Current, the atmospheric pathway was found to be a significant source for Al, Pb and Zn.