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Biogeochemistry of iron in Australian dust: from eolian uplift to marine uptake
Citation
Mackie, DS and Boyd, PW and McTainsh, GH and Tindale, NW and Westberry, TK and Hunter, KA, Biogeochemistry of iron in Australian dust: from eolian uplift to marine uptake, Geochemistry Geophysics Geosystems, 9, (3) Article Q03Q08. ISSN 1525-2027 (2008) [Refereed Article]
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Copyright Statement
Copyright 2008 American Geophysical Union
Abstract
Dust is an important vector for iron supply to the ocean, which subsequently impacts ocean
productivity, atmospheric CO2 concentrations, and hence global climate. Here, we synthesize the processes
influencing the biogeochemistry of Australian dust and compare them with those from other Southern
Hemisphere dust sources. Our observations range from soil and dust physical properties to abrasion and
cloud chamber chemistry experiments to dust storms and their dispersion and deposition. We then present
satellite observations of the impact of episodic dust deposition events on the productivity of low-iron
oceanic waters north (i.e., low-nitrate, low-chlorophyll (LNLC)) and south (i.e., high-nitrate, lowchlorophyll
(HNLC)) of Australia. Dust deposition from the largest dust storm in over 40 years did not
result in iron-mediated algal blooms in either oceanic region. A comparison of Australia with other
Southern Hemisphere source regions reveals that the relatively well sampled Australian system is a poor
generic model. Furthermore, there are marked distinctions between Southern and Northern Hemisphere
iron/dust biogeochemistry that must be recognized by modelers and included in future simulations. Better
information is required on the relative role of the atmosphere and ocean on influencing iron
biogeochemistry and how their relative influences might change in the future due to climate change.
Item Details
| Item Type: | Refereed Article |
|---|---|
| Keywords: | eolian dust, iron, biogeochemistry, phytoplankton, dissolution |
| Research Division: | Earth Sciences |
| Research Group: | Oceanography |
| Research Field: | Chemical oceanography |
| Objective Division: | Environmental Management |
| Objective Group: | Marine systems and management |
| Objective Field: | Measurement and assessment of marine water quality and condition |
| UTAS Author: | Boyd, PW (Professor Philip Boyd) |
| ID Code: | 95523 |
| Year Published: | 2008 |
| Web of Science® Times Cited: | 76 |
| Deposited By: | IMAS Research and Education Centre |
| Deposited On: | 2014-10-03 |
| Last Modified: | 2014-11-28 |
| Downloads: | 404 View Download Statistics |
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