Biogeochemical Dynamics of Molybdenum in a Crater Lake: Seasonal Impact and Long-Term Removal

Abstract

Despite a large variety of processes that can control Mo and its potential to become an environmental tracer of euxinic environment, this element is not often studied in lakes. The aim of this paper is to identify main seasonal biogeochemical processes that involve Mo in a well constrained freshwater system (Lake Pavin water-column) in order to evaluate their respective importance. In Lake Pavin, 4 main processes have been identified: 1) the transitional process represented by Mo assimilation of by phytoplankton in the epilimnion (nitrogen biological fixation and nitrate assimilation); 2) transient process represented by dissolved Mo adsorption onto Fe and Mn metal oxides at oxic/anoxic interface (depth 50 - 60 m); 3) Mo precipitation where apparent sulfide production rate is maximum, and from 80 m depths; 4) release of dissolved Mo due to Mo benthic flux or input from a deep source.