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Natural iron fertilization by the Eyjafjallajökull volcanic eruption
Author(s) -
Achterberg Eric P.,
Moore C. Mark,
Henson Stephanie A.,
Steigenberger Sebastian,
Stohl Andreas,
Eckhardt Sabine,
Avendano Lizeth C.,
Cassidy Michael,
Hembury Debbie,
Klar Jessica K.,
Lucas Michael I.,
Macey Anna I.,
Marsay Chris M.,
RyanKeogh Thomas J.
Publication year - 2013
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/grl.50221
Subject(s) - plume , volcano , phytoplankton , oceanography , deposition (geology) , biogeochemistry , volcanic ash , geology , environmental science , nitrate , nutrient , vulcanian eruption , structural basin , geochemistry , geomorphology , ecology , physics , thermodynamics , biology
Aerosol deposition from the 2010 eruption of the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajökull resulted in significant dissolved iron (DFe) inputs to the Iceland Basin of the North Atlantic. Unique ship‐board measurements indicated strongly enhanced DFe concentrations (up to 10 nM) immediately under the ash plume. Bioassay experiments performed with ash collected at sea under the plume also demonstrated the potential for associated Fe release to stimulate phytoplankton growth and nutrient drawdown. Combining Fe dissolution measurements with modeled ash deposition suggested that the eruption had the potential to increase DFe by >0.2 nM over an area of up to 570,000 km 2 . Although satellite ocean color data only indicated minor increases in phytoplankton abundance over a relatively constrained area, comparison of in situ nitrate concentrations with historical records suggested that ash deposition may have resulted in enhanced major nutrient drawdown. Our observations thus suggest that the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption resulted in a significant perturbation to the biogeochemistry of the Iceland Basin.