Southern Ocean Biological Response to Aeolian Iron Deposition

• Published in: Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) Vol. 317; no. 5841; pp. 1067 - 1070
• Main Authors: Cassar, Nicolas, Bender, Michael L, Barnett, Bruce A, Fan, Songmiao, Moxim, Walter J, Levy, Hiram II, Tilbrook, Bronte
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Association for the Advancement of Science 24.08.2007; The American Association for the Advancement of Science
• Subjects: Aerosols; Animal and plant ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Atmosphere; Atmospherics; Biogeochemistry; Biogeography; Biological and medical sciences; Chlorophylls; Ecosystem; Environmental science; Exports; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Iron; Iron - analysis; North celestial pole; Oceans; Oceans and Seas; Oxygen - analysis; Phytoplankton - growth & development; Sea water; Sea water ecosystems; Seasons; Seawater - chemistry; Summer; Surface water; Synecology; Upwelling water; Wind; Southern Ocean; Glaciation; Primary productivity; Atmospheric fallout; Fertilization; Environmental factor; Iron; Biogeochemical cycle; Atmospheric dust; Biological productivity; Marine environment; Aquatic environment; Medium enrichment; Biogeochemistry; Global change; Aerosols; Air pollution
• ISSN: 0036-8075; 1095-9203
• DOI: 10.1126/science.1144602

Biogeochemical rate processes in the Southern Ocean have an important impact on the global environment. Here, we summarize an extensive set of published and new data that establishes the pattern of gross primary production and net community production over large areas of the Southern Ocean. We compare these rates with model estimates of dissolved iron that is added to surface waters by aerosols. This comparison shows that net community production, which is comparable to export production, is proportional to modeled input of soluble iron in aerosols. Our results strengthen the evidence that the addition of aerosol iron fertilizes export production in the Southern Ocean. The data also show that aerosol iron input particularly enhances gross primary production over the large area of the Southern Ocean downwind of dry continental areas.