Project: Atmospheric Deposition Impacts on Marine Ecosystems

Chemical components delivered to the surface ocean through atmospheric deposition influence ocean productivity and ecosystem structure thus are tightly related to the global carbon cycle and climate. Accordingly, the major aim of this project is to quantitatively estimate the variable impact of aerosols on marine phytoplankton and to determine the specific effects on various taxa. Such data could in the future be used to better understand the global impact of aerosols on the oceanic ecosystem. To accomplish this goal the PI will monitor aerosol dry deposition fluxes, determine aerosol sources, obtain the chemical composition and solubility of aerosols, and evaluate the contribution of aerosols to nutrient and trace metal budgets of seawater at two oceanographically different sites (Bermuda and Monterey Bay) representing open ocean and coastal setting. The effects of the different aerosol "types" (defined by source and chemical characteristics) on specific phytoplankton taxa will also be evaluated using pure culture and natural samples bioassays. This project is particularly important in light of the role atmospheric deposition can resume in oligotrophic and coastal settings and the predicted future global conditions of increased aridity and urbanization and associated changes in dust fluxes and composition.