Glacial rock flour enhances phytoplankton growth in phosphorous- and trace metal-depleted environments
Abstract
. Essential trace metals such as iron and manganese and the macronutrient phosphorus were biologically available from GRF within 3-6 days. In particular, mobilization of iron supplied the exponential growth of microalgal cells as efficiently as from an iron-replete growth medium, whereas growth rates in iron-depleted treatments without GRF were reduced by more than 60%. Hence, GRF stimulates phytoplankton growth and, therefore, constitutes an important nutrient and trace metal source in polar and subpolar coastal areas.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Marine and coastal ecosystems
Heavy metals in environment
Geochemistry and Elemental Analysis
Publication details
- Journal / source
- iScience
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Volume
- 29
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 115813–115813
- Publication date
- 20 April 2026
- Language
- EN