Premium
Sequestration efficiency in the iron‐limited North Atlantic: Implications for iron supply mode to fertilized blooms
Author(s) -
Le Moigne Frédéric A. C.,
Moore C. Mark,
Sanders Richard J.,
VillaAlfageme Maria,
Steigenberger Sebastian,
Achterberg Eric P.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1002/2014gl060308
Subject(s) - iron fertilization , carbon sequestration , context (archaeology) , bloom , environmental science , oceanography , mode (computer interface) , climatology , geology , carbon dioxide , phytoplankton , ecology , biology , paleontology , nutrient , computer science , operating system
Estimates of the amount of carbon sequestered in the ocean interior per unit iron (Fe) supplied, as quantified by the sequestration efficiency (C effx ), vary widely. Such variability in C effx has frequently been attributed to estimate uncertainty rather than intrinsic variability. Here we derive new estimates of C effx for the subpolar North Atlantic, where Fe stressed conditions have recently been demonstrated. Derived values of C effx from across the region, including areas subject to atypical external Fe fertilization events during the year of sample collection (2010), ranged from 17 to 19 kmol C (mol Fe −1 ). Comparing these estimates with values from other systems, considered in the context of variable bloom durations in the different oceanographic settings, we suggest that apparent variability in C effx may be related to the mode of Fe delivery.