Dissolved Zn concentrations were determined in surface water samples collected on-line along transects in the eastern North Atlantic in spring (March 1998). Two frontal zones could be identified in the research area by a change in salinity, temperature and nutrient concentrations. One zone was identified at 42 degrees N, separating the North Atlantic central water (NACW) and the Atlantic surface water (ASW) from each other, and another one crossing the continental slope at 12 degrees and 8 degrees E, respectively. Variability in Zn concentrations was observed near these zones, not only as a result of a change of water mass, but also due to external Zn sources. Surface Zn concentrations were 0.5-1 nM and 2 nM in the NACW and ASW, respectively, increasing to 4 nM over the continental shelf and finally 5-6 nM in the English Channel. Contributions of Zn derived from shelf sediments appear to be the major source for the enriched surface values in the continental zone.