The distributions of trace elements (Fe, Mn, Co, Cu, Cd, and Ni) were measured, for the first time, in the entire East Sea (22 stations, n = 276, 0–3400 m), which is located in the region directly affected by East Asian monsoon and the downstream of Tsushima Current. In general, the distribution patterns of these trace elements were similar to those in the major oceans. However, relatively higher concentrations of trace elements, except for Ni, were observed in the surface layer due to the pronounced external inputs (atmospheric deposition and/or continental shelf input). In addition, we observed unusually high concentrations of Fe and Mn in the bottom layer of the Ulleung Basin, owing to large benthic inputs. These inputs seem to be associated with the significant production/dissolution of Fe and Mn in organic-rich sediments (> 2.5%) and the subsequent diffusion of dissolved organic matter (DOM)-complexed Fe and Mn into the overlying seawater. In this bottom layer, the concentrations of Fe and Mn approached 13 and 57 nmol kg⁻¹, respectively, which are an order of magnitude higher than those in the oxic deep water of other major oceans. Based on the plots of trace elements against nutrients, the scavenging of Co in the deep East Sea is found to be particularly efficient relative to other major oceans. The concentrations of Co in the deep East Sea (2500–3400 m) are the lowest reported concentrations (2–8 pmol kg⁻¹) compared with those from the same depths in the global oceans, while those in the surface layer are 2- and 5-fold higher than those in the North Pacific and North Atlantic Oceans, respectively. Thus, the distinct distribution patterns of trace elements in this sea reveal the efficient scavenging processes related to the high sinking fluxes of particles under the significant boundary input conditions (atmospheric deposition, continental shelf input, and benthic input).

首次在整个东海（22个站，n = 276, 0–3400 m)，位于受东亚季风直接影响的地区和对马洋流下游。总体而言，这些微量元素的分布格局与主要海洋相似。然而，由于明显的外部输入（大气沉积和/或大陆架输入），在表层观察到相对较高浓度的微量元素，除了镍。此外，由于大量的底栖输入，我们在郁陵盆地的底层观察到异常高浓度的 Fe 和 Mn。这些输入似乎与富含有机物沉积物中铁和锰的大量生产/溶解（> 2.5%）以及随后溶解有机物 (DOM) 复合铁和锰扩散到上覆海水中有关。在这个底层，^-1，分别比其他主要海洋的含氧深水高一个数量级。根据微量元素与营养物的关系图，发现东海深海对 Co 的清除相对于其他主要海洋特别有效。东海深海 (2500–3400 m) 的 Co 浓度是报告的最低浓度 (2–8 pmol kg ^-1) 与全球海洋相同深度的海洋相比，而表层的海洋海洋分别比北太平洋和北大西洋的海洋高 2 倍和 5 倍。因此，这片海域中微量元素的独特分布模式揭示了在重要边界输入条件（大气沉积、大陆架输入和底栖输入）下与粒子的高下沉通量相关的有效清除过程。