Robotic observations of enhanced carbon biomass and export at 55 degrees during SOFeX

Science. 2004 Apr 16;304(5669):417-20. doi: 10.1126/science.1087717.

Abstract

Autonomous floats profiling in high-nitrate low-silicate waters of the Southern Ocean observed carbon biomass variability and carbon exported to depths of 100 m during the 2002 Southern Ocean Iron Experiment (SOFeX) to detect the effects of iron fertilization of surface water there. Control and "in-patch" measurements documented a greater than fourfold enhancement of carbon biomass in the iron-amended waters. Carbon export through 100 m increased two- to sixfold as the patch subducted below a front. The molar ratio of iron added to carbon exported ranged between 10(4) and 10(5). The biomass buildup and export were much higher than expected for iron-amended low-silicate waters.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Biomass*
  • Carbon / analysis*
  • Carbon / metabolism
  • Iron* / metabolism
  • Oceans and Seas
  • Phytoplankton / growth & development*
  • Phytoplankton / metabolism
  • Robotics
  • Seawater* / chemistry
  • Temperature

Substances

  • Carbon
  • Iron