Consideration of the bioavailability of iron in the North American Great Lakes: Development of novel approaches toward understanding iron biogeochemistry

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

1-1-2004

Publication Title

Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management

Volume

7

Issue

4

First Page

475

Keywords

Bioreporter, Ferredoxin, Flavodoxin, Fluorescence, Lake Superior, Phytoplankton, Trace metal speciation

Last Page

490

Abstract

There is increasing recognition that iron distribution and availability is significant in terms of global oceanic production. Low availability of iron and other nutritive trace metals may also constrain productivity in the North American Great Lakes. Despite its importance, the biogeochemistry of iron in the water column of lacustrine systems remains poorly characterized. In addressing the current state of iron biogeochemistry, a workshop organized a decade ago at the Bermuda Biological Station for Research brought together a cross-disciplinary team of chemists and biologists who sought to synthesize current knowledge and identify research priorities in this field. Key among goals identified during the workshop, and one that remains today for the most part unfulfilled, was to 'develop techniques to quantify those fractions of Fe that are accessible to phytoplankton.' Here we review recent progress toward meeting this objective, drawing on specific examples from Lake Superior where these approaches have been applied.

DOI

10.1080/14634980490513364

ISSN

14634988

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