Dust storm off the African Coast

Phytoplankton plays an important role in the marine ecosystems since they form one of the primary links in marine food chain. Since phytoplankton accounts for more than half of the global photosynthetic activity, they act as an important sink of atmospheric carbon dioxide and thus have the potential to impact climate. Emission of Dimethly Sulfide (DMS) is another pathway through which plankton affects climate. DMS emissions increases cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) present in the relatively clean marine atmosphere, altering the microphysical nature of marine stratus. Increase in CCN results in more but smaller size cloud droplets in marine stratus thereby increasing cloud albedo and creating a cooling effect. Growth of plankton in remote ocean locations is limited by the availability of iron. Dust storm from arid and semi arid regions transport dust containing iron to remote ocean locations, which spur the growth of plankton. Since the response to iron fertilization is very vigorous, intentional iron fertilization has been suggested as remedy for climate change resulting from increased atmospheric carbon dioxide.