COSEE Ocean Systems: News
Intensity of desert storms may affect ocean phytoplankton
Description: Scientists have determined that once iron is deposited in the ocean, it has a very short residence time, spending only six months in surface waters before sinking into the deep ocean. This high turnover of iron signals that large seasonal changes in desert dust may have dramatic effects on surface phytoplankton that depend on iron. If there are changes to the sizes of deserts in Asia, or changes in the way people are using land, there could be a larger source of dust to the ocean. Because the residence time [of iron] is very short, year-to-year changes in dust will definitely have an impact on phytoplankton. [Source: MIT News]
URL: http://news.mit.edu/2015/desert-storms-affect-ocean-phytoplankton-0827
Availability: Full Text
Source: MIT News
Publish Date: 8/27/2015
Reading Level: Basic
Page Length:  

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