Testing the Iron Hypothesis in Ecosystems of the Equatorial Pacific-Ocean

Title

Testing the Iron Hypothesis in Ecosystems of the Equatorial Pacific-Ocean

Publication Type
Journal Article

Authors

Martin, J. H.
Coale, K. H.
Chisholm, S. W.
Johnson, K. S.
Fitzwater, S. E.
Gordon, R. M.
Tanner, S. J.
Hunter, C. N.
Elrod, V. A.
Nowicki, J. L.
Coley, T. L.
Barber, R. T.
Lindley, S.
Watson, A. J.
Vanscoy, K.
Law, C. S.
Liddicoat, M. I.
Ling, R.
Stanton, T.
Stockel, J.
Collins, C.
Anderson, A.
Bidigare, R.
Ondrusek, M.
Latasa, M.
Millero, F. J.
Lee, K.
Yao, W.
Zhang, J. Z.
Friederich, G.
Sakamoto, C.
Chavez, F.
Buck, K.
Kolber, Z.
Greene, R.
Falkowski, P.
Hoge, F.
Swift, R.
Yungel, J.
Turner, S.
Nightingale, P.
Hatton, A.
Liss, P.
Tindale, N. W.
Number
6493
Journal
Nature
Year of Publication
1994
Volume
371
Pagination
123-129
Date Published
Sep 8
ISBN Number
0028-0836
Publication Language
English
Abstract

The idea that iron might limit phytoplankton growth in large regions of the ocean has been tested by enriching an area of 64 km(2) in the open equatorial Pacific Ocean with iron. This resulted in a doubling of plant biomass, a threefold increase In chlorophyll and a fourfold increase in plant production. Similar increases were found in a chlorophyll-rich plume downstream of the Galapagos Islands, which was naturally enriched in iron. These findings indicate that iron limitation can control rates of phytoplankton productivity and biomass in the ocean.

Accession Number
WOS:A1994PF19100054
Notes
Pf191
Times Cited:833
Cited References Count:52
Short Title
Nature
Alternate Journal
Nature
Citation Key
438
COinS Data
Author Address
Moss Landing Marine Labs,Moss Landing,Ca 95039
Duke Univ,Marine Lab,Beaufort,Nc 28516
Plymouth Marine Lab,Plymouth Pl1 3dh,England
Usn,Postgrad Sch,Monterey,Ca 93943
Univ Hawaii,Dept Oceanog,Honolulu,Hi 96822
Univ Miami,Rosenstiel Sch Marine & Atmospher Sci,Miami,Fl 33149
Monterey Bay Aquarium Res Inst,Pacific Grove,Ca 93950
Brookhaven Natl Lab,Div Oceanog & Atmospher Sci,Upton,Ny 11973
Mit,Dept Civil & Environm Engn,Ralph M Parsons Lab,Cambridge,Ma 02139
Nasa,Goddard Space Flight Ctr,Wallops Flight Facil,Wallops Isl,Va 23337
Univ E Anglia,Sch Environm Sci,Norwich Nr4 7tj,Norfolk,England
Texas a&M Univ,Dept Meteorol,College Stn,Tx 77843