Robotic Observations of Enhanced Carbon Biomass and Export at 55S During SOFeX
James K. B. Bishop, Todd J. Wood, Russ E. Davis, and Jeffrey T. Sherman (2004)
Science 304, 417-420
Autonomous floats profiling in high-nitrate low-silicate waters of the
Southern Ocean observed carbon biomass variability and carbon exported to
depths of 100 m during the 2002 Southern Ocean Iron Experiment (SOFeX) to
detect the effects of iron fertilization of surface water there. Control
and "in-patch" measurements documented a greater than fourfold
enhancement of carbon biomass in the iron-amended waters. Carbon export
through 100 m increased two- to sixfold as the patch subducted below a
front. The molar ratio of iron added to carbon exported ranged between
10^4 and 10^5. The biomass buildup and export were much higher than
expected for iron-amended low-silicate waters.
Figure: LBNL's Explorer during SOFeX.
One of our Carbon Explorers looking over Dr. Richard Barber's shoulder during SOFeX.