Cited by 1,479Marine and coastal ecosystemsAquatic Ecosystems and Phytoplankton DynamicsPaleontology and Stratigraphy of Fossils

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

Coale, Kenneth H., Johnson, Kenneth S., Fitzwater, Steve E., Gordon, R. Michael, Tanner, Sara, Chavez, Francisco P., Ferioli, Laurie, Sakamoto, Carole +11 more·1996·Nature

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.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1038/383495a0

Cites

41 of 41 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • Addition of iron to induce an algal bloom has been considered and tested as a strategy to sequester CO2.

    “Interestingly, the addition of iron to induce an algal bloom has been considered and tested as a strategy to sequester CO2 [47–49].”

    From Biofuels from algae: Challenges and potential (2010) · cites this paper as [49]

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Authors
Coale, K. H., Johnson, K. S., Fitzwater, S. E., Gordon, R. M., Tanner, S., Chavez, F. P., Ferioli, L., Sakamoto, C., Rogers, P., Millero, F., Steinberg, P., Nightingale, P., Cooper, D., Cochlan, W. P., Landry, M. R., Constantinou, J., Rollwagen, G., Trasvina, A., & Kudela, R.
Affiliations
  • Moss Landing Marine Laboratories (US)
  • Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (US)
  • University of Miami (US)
  • University of East Anglia (GB)
  • University of Southern California (US)
  • University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (US)
  • Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada (MX)
Venue
Nature
Published
1996-10
Volume
383
Issue
6600
Pages
495-501
ISSN
  • 0028-0836 (ISSN-L)
  • 1476-4687
OpenAlex
W1990337497
Cited by
1,479
References
41
Citations by year
2026: 12 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 23 · 2023: 38 · 2022: 25 · 2021: 24 · 2020: 28 · 2019: 32 · 2018: 28 · 2017: 23 · 2016: 26 · 2015: 43 · 2014: 41 · 2013: 38 · 2012: 37
FWCI
53.91
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Nature (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Oceanographic literature review
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Oceanography › Marine and coastal ecosystems
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Chemistry › Aquatic Ecosystems and Phytoplankton Dynamics
  • Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Paleontology › Paleontology and Stratigraphy of Fossils
Keywords
iron fertilization, phytoplankton blooms, iron limitation, iron bioavailability, ocean carbon uptake, nitrate consumption, equatorial Pacific, ocean primary productivity

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