Can land use intensification in the Mallee, Australia increase the supply of soluble iron to the Southern Ocean?

ABSTRACT: The supply of soluble iron through atmospheric dust deposition limits the productivity of the Southern Ocean. In comparison to the Northern Hemisphere, the Southern Hemisphere exhibits low levels of dust activity. However, given their proximity to the Southern Ocean, dust emissions from continental sources in the Southern Hemisphere could have disproportionate impact on ocean productivity. Australia is the largest source of dust in the Southern Hemisphere and aeolian transport of dust has major ecological, economic and health implications. In the Mallee, agriculture is a major driver of dust emissions and dust storms that affect Southeastern Australia. In this study, we assess the dust generating potential of the sediment from the Mallee, analyze the sediment for soluble iron content and d

SUBMITTER: Bhattachan A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5381401 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature