Impacts of aeolian dust deposition on phytoplankton dynamics in Queensland coastal waters
Emily C. Shaw A C , Albert J. Gabric A B and Grant H. McTainsh A BA Griffith School of Environment, Griffith University, Nathan, Qld 4111, Australia.
B Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University, Nathan, Qld 4111, Australia.
C Corresponding author. Email: Emily.Shaw@student.griffith.edu.au
Marine and Freshwater Research 59(11) 951-962 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF08087
Submitted: 19 March 2008 Accepted: 2 July 2008 Published: 27 November 2008
Abstract
Aeolian dust deposition has been shown to stimulate phytoplankton growth in various oligotrophic oceanic regions of the northern hemisphere. The present study investigated the relationship between the change in phytoplankton biomass in Queensland coastal waters and aeolian dust deposition during the severe October 2002 dust storm, using satellite-derived chlorophyll concentrations. A response in phytoplankton standing stock immediately following dust deposition from this event was found in the area of maximal dust deposition, as defined by a previous dust transport modelling analysis. Standing stock levels increased to 1.5–2 times the long-term mean. This is the first documented episode of a dust fertilisation event in Australian coastal waters and, given the high frequency of dust storms in northern Australia, demonstrates that aeolian delivery of nutrients may be an important factor in future regional nutrient budget analyses.
Additional keywords: cyanobacteria, Great Barrier Reef, iron, marine, Moreton Bay, primary production.
Acknowledgements
The images and data used in this study were acquired using the GES-DISC Interactive Online Visualisation ANd aNalysis Infrastructure (Giovanni) as part of the NASA’s Goddard Earth Sciences (GES) Data and Information Services Center (DISC). Rainfall data used in this study were obtained from the Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology. Riverine discharge data were obtained from the Queensland Government Natural Resources and Water © The State of Queensland (Department of Natural Resources Mines and Water) 2008. Dust model output was kindly provided by Prof. Yaping Shao. The first author was supported by a summer scholarship from the Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University.
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