The sources and transport of iron in the North Pacific and its impact on marine ecosystems

ABSTRACT The limitation of iron (Fe) makes the North Pacific a typically high-nitrate, low-chlorophyll (HNLC) region in comparison with other oceanic regions of the world. Iron inputs from land via river discharge and atmospheric dust deposition are the primary processes introducing Fe into the ocean. Also, subsequent physical processes are crucial in transporting biologically available Fe into the upper ocean. As anthropogenic dust increases, the Fe from anthropogenic activities is expected to become more important in terms of impacting marine ecosystems. To investigate the Fe cycle and its impact on ecosystems, a project entitled ‘The sources and transport of Fe in the North Pacific and its impact on marine ecosystems’ has been funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China. The project will focus on three major scientific questions: (1) What are the major sources of Fe in the North Pacific? (2) What is the influence of the Fe-binding ligand cycle on marine ecosystems? (3) What is the likely influence of global change in the future? The distribution of Fe and its corresponding impact on the marine ecosystem in current and future environmental conditions will be investigated. The results of the project are expected to improve our understanding of the marine ecosystem in the North Pacific. Graphical Abstrac