Iron from ice
In: Nature Geoscience. Nature Publishing Group: London. ISSN 1752-0894; e-ISSN 1752-0908, meer
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| Abstract |
Melting icebergs are an inspiring reminder of nature’s immense beauty, yet also a poignant symbol of the effects of anthropogenic climate change. Icebergs in the Southern Ocean transfer iron, an essential micronutrient for all life, from glaciers to the open ocean, where it is in short supply. This iceberg iron supply can result in phytoplankton blooms visibly associated with iceberg tracks, and it is thought that icebergs can be a particularly effective iron source as they deliver iron to the open ocean. Yet quantifying the size of the iceberg fertilization effect, and what it means for marine biogeochemical cycles and ocean productivity, is a formidable research challenge. |
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