Possible biogeochemical consequences of ocean fertilization

Journal Article · Sun Dec 01 00:00:00 EST 1991 · Limnology and Oceanography; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.4319/lo.1991.36.8.1951· OSTI ID:6994214

Fuhrman, J A ^[1]; Capone, D G ^[2]

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1. Univ. of Southern California, Los Angeles (United States)
2. Univ. of Maryland, Solomons (United States)

The authors consider biogeochemical secondary effects that could arise from an increase in ocean productivity, such as may occur via fertilization with Fe. These processes and feedback loops are infrequently discussed in this context, yet are likely to be highly relevant to the understanding of global change in general. In particular, the authors suggest that increased productivity may increase the production and efflux of greenhouse gases, such as nitrous oxide (N{sub 2}O) and methane (CH{sub 4}) and that shifts in phytoplankton species and productivity may cause changes in another climate-related gas, dimethylsulfide (DMS). N{sub 2}O is also implicated in the destruction of stratospheric ozone. Factors contributing to amplified release include both increased nutrient cycling in general and possible development of low oxygen conditions from fertilization. It is also remotely possible that reduced oxygen from an initial fertilization could mobilize existing Fe pools, inducing uncontrolled self-fertilization. Although lack of relevant physiological and ecological data makes it difficult to provide quantitative limits on the extent of the undesired effects, rough calculations suggest that the enhanced release of N{sub 2}O alone could totally negate any potential benefit from fertilization and likely worsen global warming and ozone depletion.

• OSTI ID: 6994214
• Journal Information: Limnology and Oceanography; (United States), Vol. 36:8; ISSN 0024-3590
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
GREENHOUSE GASES
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
IRON
BIOLOGICAL AVAILABILITY
PHYTOPLANKTON
PRODUCTIVITY
SEAS
BIOGEOCHEMISTRY
AIR-WATER INTERACTIONS
CARBON SINKS
CHLOROPHYLL
GLOBAL ASPECTS
GREENHOUSE EFFECT
NUTRIENTS
OZONE LAYER
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
CARBOXYLIC ACIDS
CHEMISTRY
CLIMATIC CHANGE
ELEMENTS
GEOCHEMISTRY
HETEROCYCLIC ACIDS
HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
LAYERS
METALS
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
PHYTOCHROMES
PIGMENTS
PLANKTON
PLANTS
PORPHYRINS
PROTEINS
SINKS
SURFACE WATERS
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