Research by Remer, Shi and Bian in UMBC News & NASA

Lorraine Remer (613/UMBC), Yingxi Shi (613/UMBC), and Huisheng Bian (614/UMBC) were among the co-authors on a recent paper in Science titled "Atmospheric nourishment of global ocean ecosystems," led by oceanographer Toby Westberry (Oregon State University). This research was recently highlighted by Sarah Hansen in UMBC News.

The paper discusses the relationship between atmospheric dust and phytoplankton, the latter being a part of the carbon cycle. Most phytoplankton find their food source within the ocean, but nutrients also are provided from dust that falls into the ocean, and this research is the first of its kind to investigate how phytoplankton is affected by these dust deposits.

For this research, the cross-collaboration was integral to their ultimate discoveries. According to Dr. Remer, "One exciting aspect of this study was working with the oceanographers, who brought an entirely different perspective. The scientific advances became possible only after the atmospheric scientists and oceanographers joined forces."

Additionally, a NASA feature titled "How Desert Dust Nourishes the Growth of Phytoplankton at Sea" is available here.