The iron caused rapid growth of a phytoplankton variety that secretes a potent neurotoxin, domoic acid, which could work its way up the food chain to sicken or kill fish, birds, and people. (seedmagazine.com)
Dust from the many continents ferries iron and phosphorus to the ocean surface, promoting the growth of phytoplankton and other marine plants that feed sea organisms and draw carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere. (discovermagazine.com)
Since the growth of phytoplankton is limited by available nitrogen, and carbon dioxide is central to the growth process, Jones believes that supplying extra nitrogen to phytoplankton would increase the uptake of carbon. (newscientist.com)