Ocean acidification affects iron speciation during a coastal seawater mesocosm experiment

Abstract

Rising atmospheric CO₂ is acidifying the surface ocean, a process which is expected to greatly influence the chemistry and biology of the future ocean. Following the development of iron-replete phytoplankton blooms in a coastal mesocosm experiment at 350, 700, and 1050 &mu;atm <i>p</i>CO₂, we observed significant increases in dissolved iron concentrations, Fe(II) concentrations, and Fe(II) half-life times during and after the peak of blooms in response to CO₂ enrichment and concomitant lowering of pH, suggesting increased iron bioavailability. If applicable to the open ocean this may provide a negative feedback mechanism to the rising atmospheric CO₂ by stimulating marine primary production.