The results from this study are to be published in the October issue of the Journal Nature . This may be an important finding because as the plankton form, they pull carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere. In fact, Cochlan estimated that over 2500 tonnes of carbon dioxide was pulled out of the atmosphere to support the growth of life in that area.
Most oceanographers doubt it.
As well, iron deposits in the past may have been responsible for increasing the length of the ice ages. During the ice ages great storms of iron-rich dust blew off South America into the oceans. The subsequent reduction in carbon dioxide kept the planet cool and may have prevented the ice from melting and retreating on a large scale. Over-fishing of already depleted stocks may upset the precarious balance of nature that currently exists.