Iron Biogeochemistry in Aquatic Systems: From Source to Bioavailability
Louiza Norman,
Damien J. E. Cabanesa,
Sonia Blanco-Ameijeiras,
Sophie A. M. Moisset,
Christel S. Hassler
Affiliations
Louiza Norman
University of Technology Sydney Plant Functional Biology and Climate Change Cluster PO Box 123 Broadway 2007 NSW, Australia
Damien J. E. Cabanesa
University of Geneva Earth and Environmental Sciences Institute F.-A. Forel Marine and Lake Biogeochemistry 10 rte de Suisse CH-1290 Versoix, Switzerland
Sonia Blanco-Ameijeiras
University of Geneva Earth and Environmental Sciences Institute F.-A. Forel Marine and Lake Biogeochemistry 10 rte de Suisse CH-1290 Versoix, Switzerland
Sophie A. M. Moisset
University of Geneva Earth and Environmental Sciences Institute F.-A. Forel Marine and Lake Biogeochemistry 10 rte de Suisse CH-1290 Versoix, Switzerland
Christel S. Hassler
University of Technology Sydney Plant Functional Biology and Climate Change Cluster PO Box 123 Broadway 2007 NSW, Australia; University of Geneva Earth and Environmental Sciences Institute F.-A. Forel Marine and Lake Biogeochemistry 10 rte de Suisse CH-1290 Versoix, Switzerland. [email protected]
Iron (Fe) is an essential trace element for several key metabolic processes in phytoplankton; however Fe is present in low concentration in many aquatic systems including vast oceanic regions and large lakes. In these systems, Fe can limit the growth of phytoplankton and atmospheric carbon dioxide biological fixation. Indeed Fe limitation exerts a global impact on the carbon cycle and the imprint of aquatic systems on our climate. In order to understand how aquatic systems function and increase our ability to predict their response to changing conditions, it is therefore paramount to understand when and how Fe controls operate. This review presents the complex relationship between Fe chemistry and the biology of surface waters to highlight the parameters defining the forms of Fe that are accessible for phytoplankton growth (or bioavailable). Particular attention is given to the identification of Fe sources and Fe organic complexation as these, in conjunction with biological recycling and remineralisation, mostly control Fe residence time, chemistry and bioavailability.
