The CROZet natural iron bloom and EXport experiment (CROZEX)

Two cruises on RRS Discovery in austral summer 2004-5 studied the structure, causes and consequences of a naturally occurring, annual phytoplankton bloom around the Crozet Islands (Southern Ocean, 46°S, 52°E) believed to be fertilized by a natural source of iron. South of the Crozet Islands High Nutrient Low Chlorophyll (HNLC) conditions prevail, and north of them there is an annual phytoplankton bloom, which CROZEX proved to be fertilized by natural iron from Crozet. The data consist of physical, chemical and biological data, from surface to sediment (cores), with emphasis on carbon export from the bloom and its sequestration. Details may be found in the cruise report (available from BODC or from the CROZEX web site) and results have been published in Deep-Sea Research II, vol 54, 18-20, 2007.