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A massive phytoplankton bloom induced by an ecosystem-scale iron fertilization experiment in the equatorial Pacific Ocean

Nature volume 383, pages 495–501 (1996)Cite this article

Abstract

The seeding of an expanse of surface waters in the equatorial Pacific Ocean with low concentrations of dissolved iron triggered a massive phytoplankton bloom which consumed large quantities of carbon dioxide and nitrate that these microscopic plants cannot fully utilize under natural conditions. These and other observations provide unequivocal support for the hypothesis that phytoplankton growth in this oceanic region is limited by iron bioavailability.

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Author information

Author notes

  1. Phil Nightingale

    Present address: Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Prospect Place, West Hoe, Plymouth, PL1 3DH, UK

  2. David Cooper

    Present address: Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, University of Wisconsin, 1225, West Dayton Street, Madison, Wisconsin, 53706, USA

  3. Raphael Kudela

    Present address: Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, PO Box 628, Moss Landing, California, 95039-0628, USA

  4. Armando Trasvina

    Present address: Departamento de Oceanografia Fisica, Oceanografia Tropical, CICESE subsede Baja California Sur, Miraflores No. 334 entre Mulege y La Paz, Fracc. Bella Vista, La Paz 23050, B.C.S., Mexico

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, PO Box 450, Moss Landing, California, 95039-0450, USA

    Kenneth H. Coale, Kenneth S. Johnson, Steve E. Fitzwater, R. Michael Gordon, Sara Tanner & Laurie Ferioli

  2. Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, PO Box 628, Moss Landing, California, 95039-0628, USA

    Kenneth S. Johnson, Francisco P. Chavez, Laurie Ferioli, Carole Sakamoto & Paul Rogers

  3. University of Miami, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Key Biscayne, Florida, 33149, USA

    Frank Millero & Paul Steinberg

  4. School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK

    Phil Nightingale & David Cooper

  5. Hancock Institute for Marine Studies, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, 90089-0371, USA

    William P. Cochlan & Raphael Kudela

  6. Department of Oceanography, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 1000 Pope Road, Honolulu, Hawaii, 96822, USA

    Michael R. Landry, John Constantinou & Gretchen Rollwagen

  7. CICESE Oceanografia Fisica, Km 107 Carret. Tijuana-Ensenada, Ensenada, B. C., Mexico

    Armando Trasvina

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  1. Kenneth H. Coale
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  2. Kenneth S. Johnson
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  5. Sara Tanner
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  6. Francisco P. Chavez
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  7. Laurie Ferioli
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  8. Carole Sakamoto
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  9. Paul Rogers
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  10. Frank Millero
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  11. Paul Steinberg
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  12. Phil Nightingale
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  13. David Cooper
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  15. Michael R. Landry
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Coale, K., Johnson, K., Fitzwater, S. et al. A massive phytoplankton bloom induced by an ecosystem-scale iron fertilization experiment in the equatorial Pacific Ocean. Nature 383, 495–501 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1038/383495a0

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