The interest in trace element biogeochemistry has arisen from the well demonstrated iron hypothesis that revealed the central role that iron exerts on oceanic primary and associated biogeochemical cycles. The essentiality of zinc for key biological enzymes, coupled with a nutrient-like vertical distribution with low dissolved concentrations in many marine surface waters, provided motivation to study zinc in marine systems. Laboratory studies have confirmed the importance of zinc to sustain phytoplankton growth and its influence on the composition of the phytoplankton community. However, mixed results were obtained in the field, which suggest a more subtle effect of zinc on oceanic phytoplankton growth than iron. As a consequence, consensus on its biological role, mechanisms at play or regional versus global relevance is currently lacking and highlights the need for new conceptual models of zinc in marine systems. The recent GEOTRACES program is generating new data approaches to discuss and understand further zinc behaviour in the ocean.