Iodine in the surface water of the ocean

Abstract

Iodine in sea water of the Pacific was determined with special interest in the relation between iodide and iodate in the surface water of the ocean. The result was discussed with reference to the mechanism of iodide formation proposed byTsunogai andSase. The concentration of iodide varies widely from the lower value than the detection limit to 0.21μg at./l, while the concentration of total iodine is nearly constant and the mean value is 0.41μg at./l. The vertical profile of iodide often shows the maximum in the surface layer. In the surface layer, the concentration of iodide is higher in warm water (0,10μg at./l on the average) than that in cold water of lower temperature than 20° C (0.03μg at/l). The highest concentration of iodide among the warm waters is found in the surface water of the equatorial area (0.13μg at./l) where the biological productivity is also high. Iodide is generally more enriched in the water having higher biological activity even in the cold water. These results are considered to be compatible with the mechanism of iodide formation proposed.