A preliminary model of iron fertilisation by baleen whales and Antarctic krill in the Southern Ocean: Sensitivity of primary productivity estimates to parameter uncertainty

• Main Authors: Ratnarajah, Lavenia, Melbourne-Thomas, Jessica, Marzloff, Martin P., Lannuzel, Delphine, Meiners, Klaus M., Chever, Fanny, Nicol, Stephen, Bowie, Andrew R.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: unknown
• Subjects: Antarctic; Southern Ocean; Antarc*; Antarctic Krill; baleen whales
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304380015004652

Large marine animals may play a crucial role in storing and recycling bioavailable iron in surface waters by consuming iron-rich prey and subsequent defecation of iron that is excess to their requirements. This biological recycling of iron could enhance primary productivity in iron-limited waters. However, quantifying the effects of marine animals on ocean primary productivity remains challenging because of a limited understanding of the key biogeochemical processes involved. In this paper, we develop a preliminary model that explores these uncertainties and examines the potential effects of historical populations of blue, fin and humpback whales, and the biomass of Antarctic krill required to support the whale populations, on primary productivity in the Southern Ocean. Iron; Antarctic krill; Whales; Primary productivity; Southern Ocean; Preliminary model;