Iron limits primary productivity during spring bloom development in the central North Atlantic

Abstract We present in situ biophysical measurements and bioassay experiments that demonstrate iron limitation of primary productivity during the spring bloom in the central North Atlantic. Mass balance calculations indicate that nitrate drawdown is iron (Fe)‐limited and that aeolian Fe supply to th...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Published in:Global Change Biology
Main Authors: MOORE, C. MARK, MILLS, MATTHEW M., MILNE, ANGELA, LANGLOIS, REBECCA, ACHTERBERG, ERIC P., LOCHTE, KARIN, GEIDER, RICHARD J., LA ROCHE, JULIE
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2006
Subjects:
North Atlantic
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2486.2006.01122.x
https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1111%2Fj.1365-2486.2006.01122.x
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1365-2486.2006.01122.x
Description
Summary:Abstract We present in situ biophysical measurements and bioassay experiments that demonstrate iron limitation of primary productivity during the spring bloom in the central North Atlantic. Mass balance calculations indicate that nitrate drawdown is iron (Fe)‐limited and that aeolian Fe supply to this region cannot support maximal phytoplankton growth during the bloom. Using a simple simulation model, we show that relief of Fe limitation during the spring bloom can increase nitrate drawdown and, hence, new primary production, by 70%. We conclude that the episodic nature of iron supplied by dust deposition is an important factor controlling the dynamics of the spring bloom. From this, we hypothesize that variability in the timing and magnitude of the spring bloom in response to aeolian Fe supply will affect carbon drawdown and food web dynamics in the central North Atlantic.

Similar Items