Wildfires enhance phytoplankton production in tropical oceans

Dongyan Liu (), Chongran Zhou, John K. Keesing (), Oscar Serrano, Axel Werner, Yin Fang, Yingjun Chen (), Pere Masque, Janine Kinloch, Aleksey Sadekov and Yan Du
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Dongyan Liu: East China Normal University
Chongran Zhou: East China Normal University
John K. Keesing: Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre
Oscar Serrano: Edith Cowan University
Axel Werner: Edith Cowan University
Yin Fang: Shanghai Ocean University
Yingjun Chen: Fudan University
Pere Masque: Edith Cowan University
Janine Kinloch: Bentley Delivery Centre
Aleksey Sadekov: University of Western Australia
Yan Du: Chinese Academy of Sciences

Nature Communications, 2022, vol. 13, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract Wildfire magnitude and frequency have greatly escalated on a global scale. Wildfire products rich in biogenic elements can enter the ocean through atmospheric and river inputs, but their contribution to marine phytoplankton production is poorly understood. Here, using geochemical paleo-reconstructions, a century-long relationship between wildfire magnitude and marine phytoplankton production is established in a fire-prone region of Kimberley coast, Australia. A positive correlation is identified between wildfire and phytoplankton production on a decadal scale. The importance of wildfire on marine phytoplankton production is statistically higher than that of tropical cyclones and rainfall, when strong El Niño Southern Oscillation coincides with the positive phase of Indian Ocean Dipole. Interdecadal chlorophyll-a variation along the Kimberley coast validates the spatial connection of this phenomenon. Findings from this study suggest that the role of additional nutrients from wildfires has to be considered when projecting impacts of global warming on marine phytoplankton production.

Date: 2022
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-29013-0

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