The Xiamen Symposium on Marine Environmental Sciences

2027 Xiamen Symposium on Marine Environmental Sciences

January 12-15, 2027

The distribution of dissolved trace metals and rare earth elements across the Luzon Strait to the West Pacific Ocean
ID:227 Oral Presentation

2027-01-13 09:45 (China Standard Time)

Session: Session 8 - Trace metal biogeochemical cycles in the ocean

Abstract
The Luzon Strait lies between the South China Sea (SCS) and the West Pacific Ocean (WPO) and serves as one of the primary gateways through which the main stream of the Kuroshio Current enters the SCS. These complicated physical processes not only regulate the transport of nutrients and chemical substances in the ocean but also profoundly affect the biogeochemical cycles of the SCS and adjacent waters. However, previous studies have largely focused on the core region of the Kuroshio and the open-ocean side, while systematic observations and in-depth investigations of dissolved trace metals and rare earth elements across the broad Luzon Strait remain limited. This study integrates data from multiple research cruises to systematically investigate the spatial distribution patterns of dissolved trace metals and rare earth elements (REEs) across the broad Luzon Strait. Along the transect from the Gaoping Canyon to the trench, we found that dissolved Fe and Mn concentrations were highly correlated with transmission data, indicating that marginal inputs play a critical role in supplying these metals to the region. Furthermore, we observed elevated Fe and Mn at the station within the Kaoping trench. By coupling chemical observation with physical circulation simulations, our results suggest that these dissolved Fe and Mn originating from benthic sediments can be transported along the Gaoping Canyon system. Among the REEs, dissolved Ce also shows a pattern similar to that of Fe and Mn. However, by further deriving the Ce anomaly (Ce/Ce*), it demonstrates different particle removal behaviors above the slope and in the surface water. Across the transect from the northern SCS to the WPO, we observe an obvious uplift of the nutricline on the continental shelf side for many parameters, including nutrients and metals, again indicating complicated circulation and topography changes may play important roles in regulating the distribution of metals and REEs in this study region. The goal is to establish a baseline dataset of trace elements for the region, providing a critical foundation for assessing the impact of the Kuroshio Current on the chemical environment of the SCS and the waters surrounding Taiwan.
Speaker
Wen-Hsuan Liao National Cheng Kung University

Author
Wen-Hsuan Liao National Cheng Kung University

    Important Dates

    • Jan 30

      2026

      Session / Event proposals open

    • Mar 31

      2026

      Session / Event proposals close
      (Extended to April 7)

    • Apr 30

      2026

      Session acceptance notifications

    • Apr 30

      2026

      Abstract submissions & registration open

    • Jun 30

      2026

      Abstract submissions close
      (Extended to July 21)

    • Aug 31

      2026

      Abstract acceptance notifications

    • Sep 15

      2026

      Scientific program released

    • Oct 15

      2026

      Early bird registration closes

    • Jan 12–15

      2027

      XMAS 2027