The scarcity of bioavailable iron [Fe(II)_(aq)] in the oceans limits primary productivity. In most marine environments, Fe(II)_(aq) becomes available to phytoplankton only upon the reduction of Fe(III)-oxide particles added to the ocean from wind-blown dust or river outflows; however, in polar settings, a substantial fraction of iron is trapped in ice or snow before it enters the water column. Through a series of laboratory experiments and outdoor observations in Arctic ice, Kim et al.
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