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A mesoscale phytoplankton bloom in the polar Southern Ocean stimulated by iron fertilization

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Listed:
  • Philip W. Boyd

    (National Institute of Water and Atmosphere, Centre for Chemical and Physical Oceanography, University of Otago)

  • Andrew J. Watson

    (School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia)

  • Cliff S. Law

    (Plymouth Marine Laboratory)

  • Edward R. Abraham

    (National Institute of Water and Atmosphere)

  • Thomas Trull

    (Antarctic Co-operative Research Centre, University of Tasmania)

  • Rob Murdoch

    (National Institute of Water and Atmosphere)

  • Dorothee C. E. Bakker

    (School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia)

  • Andrew R. Bowie

    (Plymouth Marine Laboratory
    University of Plymouth)

  • K. O. Buesseler

    (Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry MS25 Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute)

  • Hoe Chang

    (National Institute of Water and Atmosphere)

  • Matthew Charette

    (Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry MS25 Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute)

  • Peter Croot

    (Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ))

  • Ken Downing

    (National Institute of Water and Atmosphere)

  • Russell Frew

    (University of Otago)

  • Mark Gall

    (National Institute of Water and Atmosphere, Christchurch)

  • Mark Hadfield

    (National Institute of Water and Atmosphere)

  • Julie Hall

    (National Institute of Water and Atmosphere, Hamilton)

  • Mike Harvey

    (National Institute of Water and Atmosphere)

  • Greg Jameson

    (Plymouth Marine Laboratory)

  • Julie LaRoche

    (Institut fuer Meereskunde, Universitaet Kiel)

  • Malcolm Liddicoat

    (Plymouth Marine Laboratory)

  • Roger Ling

    (Plymouth Marine Laboratory)

  • Maria T. Maldonado

    (McGill University
    University of Maine)

  • R. Michael McKay

    (Bowling Green State University)

  • Scott Nodder

    (National Institute of Water and Atmosphere)

  • Stu Pickmere

    (National Institute of Water and Atmosphere, Hamilton)

  • Rick Pridmore

    (National Institute of Water and Atmosphere, Hamilton)

  • Steve Rintoul

    (CSIRO Division of Marine Research)

  • Karl Safi

    (National Institute of Water and Atmosphere, Hamilton)

  • Philip Sutton

    (National Institute of Water and Atmosphere)

  • Robert Strzepek

    (University of British Columbia)

  • Kim Tanneberger

    (School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia)

  • Suzanne Turner

    (School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia)

  • Anya Waite

    (Centre for Water Research, University of Western Australia)

  • John Zeldis

    (National Institute of Water and Atmosphere, Christchurch)

Abstract

Changes in iron supply to oceanic plankton are thought to have a significant effect on concentrations of atmospheric carbon dioxide by altering rates of carbon sequestration, a theory known as the ‘iron hypothesis’. For this reason, it is important to understand the response of pelagic biota to increased iron supply. Here we report the results of a mesoscale iron fertilization experiment in the polar Southern Ocean, where the potential to sequester iron-elevated algal carbon is probably greatest. Increased iron supply led to elevated phytoplankton biomass and rates of photosynthesis in surface waters, causing a large drawdown of carbon dioxide and macronutrients, and elevated dimethyl sulphide levels after 13 days. This drawdown was mostly due to the proliferation of diatom stocks. But downward export of biogenic carbon was not increased. Moreover, satellite observations of this massive bloom 30 days later, suggest that a sufficient proportion of the added iron was retained in surface waters. Our findings demonstrate that iron supply controls phytoplankton growth and community composition during summer in these polar Southern Ocean waters, but the fate of algal carbon remains unknown and depends on the interplay between the processes controlling export, remineralisation and timescales of water mass subduction.

Suggested Citation

  • Philip W. Boyd & Andrew J. Watson & Cliff S. Law & Edward R. Abraham & Thomas Trull & Rob Murdoch & Dorothee C. E. Bakker & Andrew R. Bowie & K. O. Buesseler & Hoe Chang & Matthew Charette & Peter Cro, 2000. "A mesoscale phytoplankton bloom in the polar Southern Ocean stimulated by iron fertilization," Nature, Nature, vol. 407(6805), pages 695-702, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:407:y:2000:i:6805:d:10.1038_35037500
    DOI: 10.1038/35037500
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    Cited by:

    1. Thomas J. Browning & C. Mark Moore, 2023. "Global analysis of ocean phytoplankton nutrient limitation reveals high prevalence of co-limitation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-12, December.
    2. Sebastien Moreau & Tore Hattermann & Laura Steur & Hanna M. Kauko & Heidi Ahonen & Murat Ardelan & Philipp Assmy & Melissa Chierici & Sebastien Descamps & Tilman Dinter & Tone Falkenhaug & Agneta Fran, 2023. "Wind-driven upwelling of iron sustains dense blooms and food webs in the eastern Weddell Gyre," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-12, December.
    3. Enrico Ser-Giacomi & Ricardo Martinez-Garcia & Stephanie Dutkiewicz & Michael J. Follows, 2023. "A Lagrangian model for drifting ecosystems reveals heterogeneity-driven enhancement of marine plankton blooms," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-12, December.
    4. Ratnarajah, Lavenia & Melbourne-Thomas, Jessica & Marzloff, Martin P. & Lannuzel, Delphine & Meiners, Klaus M. & Chever, Fanny & Nicol, Stephen & Bowie, Andrew R., 2016. "A preliminary model of iron fertilisation by baleen whales and Antarctic krill in the Southern Ocean: Sensitivity of primary productivity estimates to parameter uncertainty," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 320(C), pages 203-212.
    5. Packer, Mike, 2009. "Algal capture of carbon dioxide; biomass generation as a tool for greenhouse gas mitigation with reference to New Zealand energy strategy and policy," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 37(9), pages 3428-3437, September.

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