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Westberry TK, Behrenfeld MJ, Shi YR, Yu H, Remer LA, Bian H. Atmospheric nourishment of global ocean ecosystems. Science 2023; 380:515-519. [PMID: 37141373 DOI: 10.1126/science.abq5252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Over the vast open ocean, vital nutrients for phytoplankton growth in the sunlit surface layer are largely provided through physical transport from deep waters, but some nutrients are also provided through atmospheric deposition of desert dust. The extent and magnitude of dust-mediated effects on surface ocean ecosystems have been difficult to estimate globally. In this work, we use global satellite ocean color products to demonstrate widespread responses to atmospheric dust deposition across a diverse continuum of phytoplankton nutritional conditions. The observed responses vary regionally, with some areas exhibiting substantial changes in phytoplankton biomass, whereas in other areas, the response reflects a change in physiological status or health. Climate-driven changes in atmospheric aerosols will alter the relative importance of this nutrient source.
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Affiliation(s)
- T K Westberry
- Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - M J Behrenfeld
- Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Y R Shi
- Joint Center for Earth Systems Technology, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Earth Sciences Division, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, USA
| | - H Yu
- Earth Sciences Division, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, USA
| | - L A Remer
- Joint Center for Earth Systems Technology, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Airphoton Inc., Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - H Bian
- Joint Center for Earth Systems Technology, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Earth Sciences Division, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, USA
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