Thursday, February 22, 2007

Outback dust may slow climate change: scientists. 21/02/2007. ABC News Online

Outback dust may slow climate change: scientists.

Scientists believe dust from Australia's drought stricken regions may help to slow climate change.

They have been taking samples from the Southern Ocean which suggest iron-rich sediment is carried down by the East Australian current.

They say iron is a vital nutrient which helps microscopic marine plants grow and, in turn, absorb greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

Dr Andrew Bowie from the Antarctic Climate Cooperative Research Centre says if there was more iron in the ocean it could carry more carbon.

"Winds pick up dust from the Australian outback and carry it thousands of miles and then drop it into the ocean over the Southern Ocean and that's a possible mechanism by which iron could be supplied," Dr Bowie said.

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