Correlation between iodine isotopes (129I and 127I) species and marine parameters in the Baltic Sea

Iodine is a bio-intermediate and redox-sensitive element in the oceans and understanding the relationship between transformation of iodine species promotes them as indicators of biochemical cycling in the ecosystems. To gain an insight into the transformation of iodine species, correlations between the iodine species ((IO3)-I-127 (-), I-127(-), I-129(-), (IO3)-I-129 (-)) and marine parameters (temperature, salinity, oxygen, total phosphorus, nitrate and ammonium) are assessed here for the Baltic Sea during different seasons. The datasets used cover the periods of August 2006, April 2007 and November 2009. The results indicate that the correlations between radioactive I-129, stable I-127 species and marine parameters mainly response to their respective sources as well as oceanographic environments. Also, insignificant correlations of iodine species and nutrients data (total phosphorus, nitrate and ammonium) are observed, suggesting that transformation activity of iodine species in the Baltic Sea is not directly linked to biological production.