Global distribution of atmospheric phosphorus sources, concentrations and deposition rates, and anthropogenic impacts

Natalie Mahowald; Timothy D. Jickells; Alex R. Baker; Paulo Artaxo; Claudia R. Benitez-Nelson; Gilles Bergametti; Tami C. Bond; Ying Chen; David D. Cohen; Barak Herut; Nilgun Kubilay; Remi Losno; Chao Luo; Willy Maenhaut; Kenneth A. McGee; Gregory S. Okin; Ronald L. Siefert; Seigen Tsukuda

doi:10.1029/2008GB003240

Global distribution of atmospheric phosphorus sources, concentrations and deposition rates, and anthropogenic impacts

Natalie Mahowald, Timothy D. Jickells, Alex R. Baker, Paulo Artaxo, Claudia R. Benitez-Nelson, Gilles Bergametti, Tami C. Bond, Ying Chen, David D. Cohen, Barak Herut, Nilgun Kubilay, Remi Losno, Chao Luo, Willy Maenhaut, Kenneth A. McGee, Gregory S. Okin, Ronald L. Siefert, Seigen Tsukuda

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

A worldwide compilation of atmospheric total phosphorus (TP) and phosphate (PO₄) concentration and deposition flux observations are combined with transport model simulations to derive the global distribution of concentrations and deposition fluxes of TP and PO₄. Our results suggest that mineral aerosols are the dominant source of TP on a global scale (82%), with primary biogenic particles (12%) and combustion sources (5%) important in nondusty regions. Globally averaged anthropogenic inputs are estimated to be ∼5 and 15% for TP and PO₄, respectively, and may contribute as much as 50% to the deposition over the oligotrophic ocean where productivity may be phosphorus-limited. There is a net loss of TP from many (but not all) land ecosystems and a net gain of TP by the oceans (560 Gg P a ^-1). More measurements of atmospheric TP and PO₄ will assist in reducing uncertainties in our understanding of the role that atmospheric phosphorus may play in global biogeochemistry.

Original language	English
Article number	GB4026
Journal	Global Biogeochemical Cycles
Volume	22
Issue number	4
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1029/2008GB003240
State	Published - Dec 2008
Externally published	Yes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Global and Planetary Change
Environmental Chemistry
General Environmental Science
Atmospheric Science

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10.1029/2008GB003240

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Mahowald, N., Jickells, T. D., Baker, A. R., Artaxo, P., Benitez-Nelson, C. R., Bergametti, G., Bond, T. C., Chen, Y., Cohen, D. D., Herut, B., Kubilay, N., Losno, R., Luo, C., Maenhaut, W., McGee, K. A., Okin, G. S., Siefert, R. L., & Tsukuda, S. (2008). Global distribution of atmospheric phosphorus sources, concentrations and deposition rates, and anthropogenic impacts. Global Biogeochemical Cycles, 22(4), Article GB4026. https://doi.org/10.1029/2008GB003240

@article{ca71855090eb48c8ae07634a3c1cde9b,

title = "Global distribution of atmospheric phosphorus sources, concentrations and deposition rates, and anthropogenic impacts",

abstract = "A worldwide compilation of atmospheric total phosphorus (TP) and phosphate (PO4) concentration and deposition flux observations are combined with transport model simulations to derive the global distribution of concentrations and deposition fluxes of TP and PO4. Our results suggest that mineral aerosols are the dominant source of TP on a global scale (82%), with primary biogenic particles (12%) and combustion sources (5%) important in nondusty regions. Globally averaged anthropogenic inputs are estimated to be ∼5 and 15% for TP and PO4, respectively, and may contribute as much as 50% to the deposition over the oligotrophic ocean where productivity may be phosphorus-limited. There is a net loss of TP from many (but not all) land ecosystems and a net gain of TP by the oceans (560 Gg P a -1). More measurements of atmospheric TP and PO4 will assist in reducing uncertainties in our understanding of the role that atmospheric phosphorus may play in global biogeochemistry.",

author = "Natalie Mahowald and Jickells, {Timothy D.} and Baker, {Alex R.} and Paulo Artaxo and Benitez-Nelson, {Claudia R.} and Gilles Bergametti and Bond, {Tami C.} and Ying Chen and Cohen, {David D.} and Barak Herut and Nilgun Kubilay and Remi Losno and Chao Luo and Willy Maenhaut and McGee, {Kenneth A.} and Okin, {Gregory S.} and Siefert, {Ronald L.} and Seigen Tsukuda",

year = "2008",

month = dec,

doi = "10.1029/2008GB003240",

language = "English",

volume = "22",

journal = "Global Biogeochemical Cycles",

issn = "0886-6236",

publisher = "Wiley-Blackwell",

number = "4",

}

Mahowald, N, Jickells, TD, Baker, AR, Artaxo, P, Benitez-Nelson, CR, Bergametti, G, Bond, TC, Chen, Y, Cohen, DD, Herut, B, Kubilay, N, Losno, R, Luo, C, Maenhaut, W, McGee, KA, Okin, GS, Siefert, RL & Tsukuda, S 2008, 'Global distribution of atmospheric phosphorus sources, concentrations and deposition rates, and anthropogenic impacts', Global Biogeochemical Cycles, vol. 22, no. 4, GB4026. https://doi.org/10.1029/2008GB003240

TY - JOUR

T1 - Global distribution of atmospheric phosphorus sources, concentrations and deposition rates, and anthropogenic impacts

AU - Mahowald, Natalie

AU - Jickells, Timothy D.

AU - Baker, Alex R.

AU - Artaxo, Paulo

AU - Benitez-Nelson, Claudia R.

AU - Bergametti, Gilles

AU - Bond, Tami C.

AU - Chen, Ying

AU - Cohen, David D.

AU - Herut, Barak

AU - Kubilay, Nilgun

AU - Losno, Remi

AU - Luo, Chao

AU - Maenhaut, Willy

AU - McGee, Kenneth A.

AU - Okin, Gregory S.

AU - Siefert, Ronald L.

AU - Tsukuda, Seigen

PY - 2008/12

Y1 - 2008/12

N2 - A worldwide compilation of atmospheric total phosphorus (TP) and phosphate (PO4) concentration and deposition flux observations are combined with transport model simulations to derive the global distribution of concentrations and deposition fluxes of TP and PO4. Our results suggest that mineral aerosols are the dominant source of TP on a global scale (82%), with primary biogenic particles (12%) and combustion sources (5%) important in nondusty regions. Globally averaged anthropogenic inputs are estimated to be ∼5 and 15% for TP and PO4, respectively, and may contribute as much as 50% to the deposition over the oligotrophic ocean where productivity may be phosphorus-limited. There is a net loss of TP from many (but not all) land ecosystems and a net gain of TP by the oceans (560 Gg P a -1). More measurements of atmospheric TP and PO4 will assist in reducing uncertainties in our understanding of the role that atmospheric phosphorus may play in global biogeochemistry.

AB - A worldwide compilation of atmospheric total phosphorus (TP) and phosphate (PO4) concentration and deposition flux observations are combined with transport model simulations to derive the global distribution of concentrations and deposition fluxes of TP and PO4. Our results suggest that mineral aerosols are the dominant source of TP on a global scale (82%), with primary biogenic particles (12%) and combustion sources (5%) important in nondusty regions. Globally averaged anthropogenic inputs are estimated to be ∼5 and 15% for TP and PO4, respectively, and may contribute as much as 50% to the deposition over the oligotrophic ocean where productivity may be phosphorus-limited. There is a net loss of TP from many (but not all) land ecosystems and a net gain of TP by the oceans (560 Gg P a -1). More measurements of atmospheric TP and PO4 will assist in reducing uncertainties in our understanding of the role that atmospheric phosphorus may play in global biogeochemistry.

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U2 - 10.1029/2008GB003240

DO - 10.1029/2008GB003240

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:64549141541

SN - 0886-6236

VL - 22

JO - Global Biogeochemical Cycles

JF - Global Biogeochemical Cycles

IS - 4

M1 - GB4026

ER -

Global distribution of atmospheric phosphorus sources, concentrations and deposition rates, and anthropogenic impacts

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