Iron Dust in the Ocean May Shape the Oxygen We Breathe, Scientists Find
Each breath connects us to the ocean. Tiny marine algae produce a large share of Earth’s oxygen. However, this process depends on an unlikely ingredient: iron dust. A new Rutgers University study explores this link in detail. The research appeared in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. It explains why iron matters for ocean life and the air we breathe. Phytoplankton are microscopic algae living near the ocean surface. They form the base of marine food webs. In addition, they remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Iron acts as a key micronutrient for these organisms. Windblown dust and glacial melt deliver much of this iron. Without it, photosynthesis slows or even stops.
Iron Runs Low
When iron levels drop, phytoplankton struggle to use sunlight. As a result, oxygen production declines. Carbon capture also becomes less efficient.Climate change may worsen this problem.
For example, shifting ocean currents can limit iron supply. Even so, humans will still breathe normally.However, marine ecosystems face serious risks. Krill rely on phytoplankton for food. In turn, penguins, seals, and whales depend on krill.
Measuring Photosynthesis at Sea
To study this process, researchers worked directly in the ocean. Graduate scientist Heshani Pupulewatte spent weeks aboard a research vessel. She collected samples across the South Atlantic and Southern Ocean.Using custom instruments, the team measured energy loss in algae. They found iron shortages waste up to 25 percent of captured light. When iron returned, photosynthesis recovered quickly.
This Research Matters
These findings help scientists predict future ocean productivity. They also improve understanding of global carbon cycles. Ultimately, protecting ocean health supports life on Earth.
