About this Research Topic
In oligotrophic environments, dust and nutrient inputs via atmospheric routes are considered important sources of macro-nutrients and micro-trace metals fuelling primary and secondary production. Yet, the impact of these dust inputs on the microbial populations was not fully investigated in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea (EMS). The response of oligotrophic systems to dust inputs, whether as positive or negative feedbacks to autotrophic and heterotrophic production and thus to biogeochemical cycling, is important to examine further.
Experimental studies have explored nutrient additions in various combinations to determine the limiting resource to productivity or N2 fixation. Recent experimental studies have applied dust enrichments to bottle or mesocosm incubations of seawater from different oceanic regions. This research topic will present two Eastern Mediterranean dust addition mesocosm experiments using for the first time real aerosol additions, pure Saharan dust and mixed aerosols (a natural mixture of desert dust and polluted European particles), as well as other EMS aerosol experimental studies.
The Topic welcomes manuscripts introducing results on: a) the impact of Saharan dust vs mixed aerosols on the autotrophic and heterotrophic surface microbial populations in the EMS, b) the impact of single vs multi-pulses of Saharan dust introduction into the pelagic environment of the EMS and c) other experimental studies of aerosol impacts on the EMS ecosystem.
Experimental studies have explored nutrient additions in various combinations to determine the limiting resource to productivity or N2 fixation. Recent experimental studies have applied dust enrichments to bottle or mesocosm incubations of seawater from different oceanic regions. This research topic will present two Eastern Mediterranean dust addition mesocosm experiments using for the first time real aerosol additions, pure Saharan dust and mixed aerosols (a natural mixture of desert dust and polluted European particles), as well as other EMS aerosol experimental studies.
The Topic welcomes manuscripts introducing results on: a) the impact of Saharan dust vs mixed aerosols on the autotrophic and heterotrophic surface microbial populations in the EMS, b) the impact of single vs multi-pulses of Saharan dust introduction into the pelagic environment of the EMS and c) other experimental studies of aerosol impacts on the EMS ecosystem.
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
