University of Tasmania
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Mapping phytoplankton iron utilization: Insights into Southern Ocean supply mechanisms

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journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-18, 04:06 authored by Philip BoydPhilip Boyd, Arrigo, KR, Robert StrzepekRobert Strzepek, van Dijken, GL
The emerging field of ocean iron biogeochemistry has prompted interest in the identification and quantification of Fe supply mechanisms. However, less attention has been given to estimating biological Fe utilization, and using the magnitude of Fe utilization to enhance our understanding of modes of supply. Here, we combine regionally validated data sets (1997-2007) on remotely sensed net primary production (NPP) with the iron:carbon (Fe:C) molar ratios for resident phytoplankton to produce Southern Ocean maps of Fe utilization. This approach exploits the resolution of remotely sensed data to investigate the spatial patterns, areal extent and interannual variability of Fe utilization, and relates it to published temporal and spatial trends for Fe supply mechanisms. We estimate that Southern Ocean Fe utilization averaged ∼3.3±0.3 × 108 μmol Fe a-1. This utilization varied little between years (7.8-9.6 μmol Fe m-2 a-1), was greatest for subpolar waters, particularly in the Atlantic (up to 53.0 μmol Fe m-2 a-1), and was lowest for the polar waters of the Indian sector. Application of maps corresponding to the location and areal extent of Fe supply regions (e.g., dust deposition) revealed that Fe utilization was highest in waters supplied by Patagonian dust, and to a lesser extent, where sediment resuspension (i.e. <500 m depth) probably supplies the majority of the Fe. The Atlantic sector has regions where multiple supply mechanisms are evident, resulting in perennially high productivity. This approach provides a better assessment of the relative importance, realm of influence, and areal extent of different Fe supply mechanisms to Southern Ocean waters.

History

Publication title

Journal of Geophysical Research-Space Physics

Volume

117

Issue

6

Article number

C06009

Number

C06009

Pagination

1-18

ISSN

0148-0227

Department/School

Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies

Publisher

American Geophysical Union

Place of publication

2000 Florida Ave Nw, Washington, USA, Dc, 20009

Rights statement

Copyright 2012 American Geophysical Union.

Repository Status

  • Open

Socio-economic Objectives

Climate change adaptation measures (excl. ecosystem)