Robotic floats show windblown dust supports a third of Southern Ocean's phytoplankton growth, impacting Earth's climate.

Robotic floats reveal that windblown dust provides enough iron to support a third of the Southern Ocean's phytoplankton growth, which plays a crucial role in Earth's climate. The Southern Ocean, known as a 'shock absorber', captures up to 40% of human-generated CO2 absorbed by the planet's oceans each year. Understanding the role of dust in oceanic ecosystems can help predict how global warming will affect key climate processes.

May 15, 2024
4 Articles

Further Reading