abstract
The micro-nutrients silicate, nitrite, nitrate, phosphate, ammonia and urea were analysed on an ongoing basis during a cruise to the Prince Edward Islands in order to provide a chemical background for the physical and biological studies undertaken concurrently. Preliminary results are presented and discussed. There were marked increases in reduced nitrogen (ammonia and urea), silicate, nitrate and phosphate in the near-shore areas of the island group compared with the surrounding open ocean.