Acid clouds benefit the oceans

Scientists from Leeds University have demonstrated that atmospheric acid divides large iron molecules in the dust into tiny dissolved iron particles that plankton are easily absorbed.

This is an important finding, because iron deficiency is a factor affecting the growth of plankton in the ocean - especially in the southern seas and some parts of the eastern Pacific. The addition of tiny iron particles will accelerate the absorption of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Dr. Zongbo Shi, the leading author of the study, lecturer at the University of Leeds Earth and Environment School, said: ' This may be a very important discovery because there is only one amount in the ocean. Small soluble iron. If phytoplankton are using tiny iron particles that form in clouds, the amount of iron supplied to plankton will increase significantly. '

Tiny droplets of water in clouds form around dust and other matter molecules. When clouds are too heavy and lead to rain, the surface of the raindrops is very acidic. This is especially true in areas where air is contaminated.

Tiny droplets of water in clouds form around dust and other matter molecules.When clouds are too heavy and lead to rain, the surface of the raindrops is very acidic.This is especially true in areas where air is contaminated.Strangely, scientists argue that large-scale industrial parks in countries like China can resist the phenomenon of global warming by some extent by creating iron that is easily absorbed by birth. objects in the ocean, thereby contributing to the removal of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.(Photo: © Michele Hogan)

Strangely, scientists argue that large industrial parks in countries such as China can help fight the process of global warming to some extent, by creating useful iron for organisms in the ocean, thereby promoting the process of removing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

'Human-induced pollution is increasing the amount of acid in the atmosphere, which can promote the formation of extremely small iron particles,' said Dr Shi.

Scientists conducted the study by recreating the cloud model in the laboratory and adding dust samples from the Sahara. In this way they can mimic natural conditions to monitor chemical processes that occur.

The results show the complexity of natural iron absorption into the ocean and bring new ideas to recent projects in which people actively increase the amount of iron in the southern oceans to boost push the development of plankton.

Professor Michael Krom from Leeds University, the principal investigator of the study, said: 'This process is happening with clouds around the world, and has very interesting impacts on the oceans. . What we discovered this time is a beneficial source of soluble iron for organisms that are being brought to Earth's surface through rain. '

The research was funded by the US Natural Environment Research Council.

Refer:

Shi et al.Formation of Iron Nanoparticles and Increase in Iron Reactivity in Mineral Dust during Simulated Cloud Processing.Environmental Science & Technology, 2009;43 (17): 6592 DOI: 10.1021 / es901294g