Water soluble reactive phosphate (SRP) in atmospheric particles over East Mediterranean: The importance of dust and biomass burning events

International audienceThe importance of dust and biomass burning episodes on the atmospheric concentration of water-soluble reactivephosphate (SRP) was determined in the eastern Mediterranean. SRP was measured with a new rapid real-time automatedanalytical system with a time resolution of a few minutes per sample and with an extremely low detectionlimit. The average atmospheric concentration of SRP during the sampling campaign was estimated at 0.35±0.25 (median0.30) nmol P m−3. The maximum concentration of SRP (3.08 nmol P m−3) was recorded during an intense dustepisode, and was almost ten times higher than the campaign average, confirming that Saharan dust was an importantprimary source of bioavailable P to the eastern Mediterranean, especially during the spring period when 60% of theevents occurred. Predicted increases in the frequency and intensity of dust storms in the area will enhance the roleof the atmosphere as a source of bioavailable P for the Mediterranean marine ecosystem. During the warm period,when Northerly winds prevailed, biomass burning processes contributed significantly to soluble phosphorus deliveredfrom atmospheric sources to the easternMediterranean. These inputs during warm periods are especially important forthe Eastern Mediterranean, where biological productivity is strongly limited by nutrient availability