Yttrium (Y)

Atomic number:	39
Atomic weight:	88.9059
Average concentration in ocean:	190 pmol/kg
Residence time:	5100 years

Distribution in ocean
Y has a modified, nutrient-like profile similar to that of copper. Concentrations are low at the surface and increase with depth nearly continuously (data).

Speciation
Yttrium and the rare earth elements are present in seawater in the +III oxidation state, except Ce, which can also be oxidized to the +IV state. Complexation with carbonate ion dominates the speciation of REE's, e.g., LaCO₃⁺.

Residence time
The residence time was estimated from the sum of the river and atmospheric fluxes (Nozaki et al., 1997).

Analysis
Yttrium and rare earth elements are determined by mass spectrometry. The measurements shown here were determined using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry in shore based laboratories.

References & Notes