Ocean Acidification Effect on the Iron-Gallic Acid Redox Interaction in Seawater

Abstract

Ocean acidification impacts the iron (Fe) biogeochemistry both by its redox and its complexation reactions. This has a direct effect on the ecosystems due to Fe being an essential micronutrient. Polyphenols exudated by marine microorganisms can complex Fe(III), modifying the Fe(II) oxidation rates as well as promoting the reduction of Fe(III) to Fe(II) in seawater. The effect of the polyphenol gallic acid (GA; 3,4,5-trihydroxy benzoic acid) on the oxidation and reduction of Fe was studied. The Fe(II) oxidation rate constant decreased, increasing the permanence of Fe(II) in solutions at nM levels. At pH = 8.0 and in the absence of gallic acid, 69.3% of the initial Fe(II) was oxidized after 10 min. With 100 nM of gallic acid (ratio 4:1 GA:Fe), and after 30 min, 37.5% of the initial Fe(II) was oxidized. Fe(III) is reduced to Fe(II) by gallic acid in a process that depends on the pH and composition of solution, being faster as pH decreases. At pH > 7.00, the Fe(III) reduction rate constant in seawater was lower than in NaCl solutions, being the difference at pH 8.0 of 1.577 × 10–5 s–1. Moreover, the change of the Fe(III) rate constant with pH, within the studied range, was higher in seawater (slope = 0.91) than in NaCl solutions (slope = 0.46). The Fe(III) reduction rate constant increased with increasing ligand concentration, being the effect higher at pH 7.0 [k′ = 1.078 × 10–4 s–1; (GA) = 250 nM] compared with that at pH 8.0 [k′ = 3.407 × 10–5 s–1; (GA) = 250 nM]. Accordingly, gallic acid reduces Fe(III) to Fe(II) in seawater, making possible the presence of Fe(II) for longer periods and favoring its bioavailability.