Research led by Oregon State University reveals the essential role of atmospheric dust in sustaining global ocean ecosystems and controlling atmospheric CO2 levels. Dust from terrestrial sources delivers vital nutrients to phytoplankton, the ocean’s fundamental plant-like organisms that contribute to the marine food web and aid in carbon sequestration. While scientists have long recognized the dependency of phytoplankton on nutrient-rich dust, quantifying its global impact has been challenging.
A recent study estimates that dust deposition supports approximately 4.5% of the annual carbon export from the ocean, with regional variances reaching up to 20-40%. The study, utilizing satellite data to analyze ocean color changes post-dust deposition, found varied phytoplankton responses based on latitude; lower-latitude regions experienced improved health but not increased abundance, while higher-latitude areas saw both health and abundance improvements due to weaker predatory relationships in those colder, variable environments. The research team aims to refine modeling tools and integrate findings with NASA’s upcoming Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem (PACE) mission, highlighting that these atmospheric-ocean links might shift as global temperatures rise.
