Implications of large-scale iron fertilization of the oceans: introduction and synthesis
A historical perspective of the scientific study of ocean iron fertilization (OIF) over thelast 15 yr prefaces a short synthesis of the multi-faceted issues raised by the 11 contributions to thisTheme Section. These issues, which range from ethical to logistical, must be aired in discussions surroun...
| Published in: | Marine Ecology Progress Series |
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| Main Author: | |
| Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
| Language: | English |
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Inter-Research
2008
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.3354/meps07541 http://ecite.utas.edu.au/95545 |
| Summary: | A historical perspective of the scientific study of ocean iron fertilization (OIF) over thelast 15 yr prefaces a short synthesis of the multi-faceted issues raised by the 11 contributions to thisTheme Section. These issues, which range from ethical to logistical, must be aired in discussions surroundingOIF and its commercial application as a potential climate mitigation tool. Two other issues,not considered in detail by the contributors, are also addressed: (1) the importance of the rate ofchange in atmospheric CO 2 following sustained global OIF (other than model simulations, the onlydata presently available to assess this comes from the geological record, e.g. Vostok ice core recordof dust supply and atmospheric CO 2 ); and (2) the necessity of making realistic estimates of the cost ofOIF (i.e. carbon sequestered per unit of iron added) to provide comparisons of the ratio of cost:environmentalrisk of OIF with other mitigation strategies. |
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