Fertilizing potential of volcanic ash in ocean surface water

Research Article| June 01, 2001 Fertilizing potential of volcanic ash in ocean surface water Paul Frogner; Paul Frogner 1Nordic Volcanological Institute, IS-108 Reykjavík, Iceland, and Science Institute, University of Iceland, IS-107 Reykjavík, Iceland Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Sigurdur Reynir Gíslason; Sigurdur Reynir Gíslason 2Science Institute, University of Iceland, IS-107 Reykjavík, Iceland Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Niels Óskarsson Niels Óskarsson 3Nordic Volcanological Institute, IS-108 Reykjavík, Iceland Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (2001) 29 (6): 487–490. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(2001)029<0487:FPOVAI>2.0.CO;2 Article history received: 28 Aug 2000 rev-recd: 09 Feb 2001 accepted: 18 Feb 2001 first online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share MailTo Twitter LinkedIn Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Paul Frogner, Sigurdur Reynir Gíslason, Niels Óskarsson; Fertilizing potential of volcanic ash in ocean surface water. Geology 2001;; 29 (6): 487–490. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(2001)029<0487:FPOVAI>2.0.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract The fertilization potential of newly erupted and well-preserved ash from the 2000 Hekla eruption in Iceland was measured for the first time by flow-through experiments. As previously shown, (1) the North Atlantic Ocean, including the subarctic seas surrounding Iceland, is the largest net sink of the world's oceans for atmospheric CO2, owing to biological drawdown during summer; (2) almost complete consumption of phosphate in chlorophyll-rich areas of the North Atlantic Ocean might limit primary production; and (3) in the southern Pacific Ocean and parts of the equatorial Pacific Ocean iron might limit primary production. We found through laboratory experiments that volcanic ash exposed to seawater initially releases large amounts of adsorbed phosphate, 1.7 μmol·g−1·h−1; iron, 37.0 μmol·g−1·h−1; silica, 49.5 μmol·g−1h−1; and manganese, 1.7 μmol·g−1·h−1. Dissolution of acid aerosols adsorbed to the surface of the ash caused the high initial release of major and trace elements. Because of the instantaneous dissolution of adsorbed components when newly erupted volcanic ash comes in contact with the ocean surface water, macronutrients and "bioactive" trace metals are released fast enough to become available to support primary production. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.