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Abstract: The influence of the Columbia River plume on the distributions of nitrate and iron and their sources to coastal and shelf waters were examined. In contrast to other large estuaries, the Columbia River is a unique study area as it supplies very little nitrate (5 μM) and iron (14–30 nM) at salinities of 1–2 to coastal waters. Elevated nitrate and dissolved iron concentrations (as high as 20 μM and 20 nM) were observed, however, in the near field Columbia River plume at salinities of 20. Surface nitrate concentrations were higher than observed in the Columbia River itself and therefore must be added by entrainment of higher nitrate concentrations from subsurface coastal waters. Tidal flow was identified as an important factor in determining the chemical constituents of the Columbia River plume. During the rising flood tide, nitrate and iron were entrained into the plume waters resulting in concentrations of 15 μM and 6 nM, respectively. Conversely, during the ebb tide the concentrations of nitrate and total dissolved iron were reduced to 0.3–3 μM and 1–2 nM, respectively, with a concomitant increase in chlorophyll a concentrations. As these plume waters moved offshore the plume drifted directly westward, over a nitrate depleted water mass (<0.2 μM). The plume water was also identified to move southwards and offshore during upwelling conditions and nitrate concentrations in this far field plume were also depleted. Iron concentrations in the near-field Columbia River plume are sufficient to meet the biological demand. However, due to the low nitrate in the Columbia River itself, nitrate in the plume is primarily dependent on mixing with nitrate rich, cold, high salinity subsurface waters. Without such an additional source the plume rapidly becomes nitrate limited. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This study examines the distribution of leachable particulate iron (Fe) in the Columbia River, estuary, and near-field plume. Surface samples were collected during late spring and summer of 2004–2006 as part of four River Influence on Shelf Ecosystems (RISE) cruises. Tidal amplitude and river flow are the primary factors influencing the estuary leachable particulate Fe concentrations, with greater values during high flow and/or spring tides. Near the mouth of the estuary, leachable particulate Fe [defined as the particulate Fe solubilized with a 25% acetic acid (pH 2) leach containing a weak reducing agent to reduce Fe oxyhydroxides and a short heating step to access intracellular Fe] averaged 770 nM during either spring tide or high flow, compared to 320 nM during neap tide, low flow conditions. In the near-field Columbia River plume, elevated leachable particulate Fe concentrations occur during spring tides and/or higher river flow, with resuspended shelf sediment as an additional source to the plume during periods of coastal upwelling and spring tides. Near-field plume concentrations of leachable particulate Fe (at a salinity of 20) averaged 660 nM during either spring tide or high flow, compared to 300 nM during neap tide, low flow conditions. Regardless of tidal amplitude and river flow, leachable particulate Fe concentrations in both the river/estuary and near-field plume are consistently one to two orders of magnitude greater than dissolved Fe concentrations. The Columbia River is an important source of reactive Fe to the productive coastal waters off Oregon and Washington, and leachable particulate Fe is available for solubilization following biological drawdown of the dissolved phase. Elevated leachable Fe concentrations allow coastal waters influenced by the Columbia River plume to remain Fe-replete and support phytoplankton production during the spring and summer seasons. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]