Iron Fertilisation

Iron dissolved in the ocean is an important trace nutrient for phytoplankton – the microscopic plants that support marine food webs.

The greatest source of iron in the world's oceans is dust blown from deserts. NIWA physical oceanographer Dr Philip Boyd explains why there's so little iron in the Southern Ocean. He also discusses why iron and sea ice are the likeliest reasons for Southern Ocean productivity being highest near the Antarctic Peninsula.