The Biogeochemistry of Iron in Seawater

Abstract

The proposal that a lack of iron can limit phytoplankton growth in the oceans was first put forward in the 1930s, but it was not until the 1980s that developments in clean sampling and analytical techniques had advanced sufficiently to allow accurate measurements of iron at trace levels.Intensive research carried out during the 1990s (known as the "Iron Age of Oceanography") provided a wealth of new information on the biogeochemistry of iron in seawater.The field has now advanced to a stage where a critical analysis of progress to date can be of considerable benefit to the research community as a whole.This book, written by acknowledged experts and reviewed by international specialists, provides the authoritative and comprehensive review of the subject area.A joint venture between the Scientific Committee for Ocean Research and IUPAC, it expertly addresses the current state of knowledge on the subject and covers chemical speciation, analytical techniques, and the transformation of iron.The book includes evidence for iron limitation of primary production of high-nutrient, low-chlorophyll areas in the ocean and offers a wealth of new information.It is ideal for marine scientists, oceanographers, environmental analytical chemists scientists, and others studying the environmental impact of metals and their role in marine ecosystems.