Neodymium budget in the Mediterranean Sea: evaluating the role of atmospheric dusts using a high-resolution dynamical-biogeochemical model

Abstract. The relative importance of river solid discharge, deposited sediment remobilisation, and atmospheric dust as sources neodymium (Nd) to the ocean is subject ongoing debate, magnitudes these fluxes being associated with a significant uncertainty. Mediterranean basin specific basin; it receives vast amount emissions from different surrounded by continental margins, input compared global ocean. Furthermore, largely impacted Atlantic water inflow via Strait Gibraltar. Here, we present first simulation dissolved Nd concentration ([Nd]) isotopic composition (?Nd) using high-resolution regional model (NEMO/MED12/PISCES) an explicit representation all inputs, internal cycle, i.e. interactions between particulate phases. high resolution oceanic (at 1/12?), essential realistic circulation in present-day conditions, gives unique opportunity better apprehend processes governing distribution marine environment. succeeds simulating main features ?Nd produces [Nd] Sea. We estimated boundary exchange (BE, which represents transfer elements margin sea their removal scavenging) flux at 89.43 × 106 g(Nd) yr?1, representing ?84.4 % total external source basin. discharge provided 3.66 or 3.5 flow into Mediterranean. partially dusts was 5.2 5 input, 7.62 yr?1 comes across Gibraltar, 7.1 input. quantity Sea 7.28 109 g(Nd); this leads new calculated residence time ?68 year. This work highlights that impact on localised near catchments rivers. In contrast, has basin-wide influence, correcting for too-radiogenic when only BE considered improving agreement simulated field data. also suggests sensitive spatial dust, parameterisation vertical cycling (scavenging/remineralisation) considerably constrains ability simulate profile ?Nd.