The Effects of Iron Fertilization on Carbon Sequestration in the Southern Ocean

• DOI: 10.1126/science.1086895
• Publication Date: 2004-04-15T20:43:25Z
• Authors: Ken O. Buesseler; John E. Andrews; Steven M. Pike; Matthew A. Charette
• Keywords: Iron fertilization; Carbon fibers; Biological pump; Atmospheric carbon cycle; Carbon flux; Mixed layer

An unresolved issue in ocean and climate sciences is whether changes to the surface input of micronutrient iron can alter flux carbon deep ocean. During Southern Ocean Iron Experiment, we measured an increase particulate from mixed layer, as well particle cycling below iron-fertilized patch. The was similar magnitude that natural blooms thus small relative global budgets proposed geoengineering plans sequester atmospheric dioxide sea.