Dust from the Gobi Desert Can Cross the Pacific Ocean

question 52

Multiple Choice

Dust from the Gobi Desert can cross the Pacific Ocean and fall on the remote, tropical oceanic islands of Hawaii. What direct impact will this dust most likely have on nutrient cycling in the terrestrial ecosystems of Hawaii?

• A) Increased net primary production due to phosphorus addition
• B) Increased temperature and higher rates of nitrogen mineralization because of changes in albedo
• C) Reduced net primary production due to reduced sunlight
• D) Increased net primary production due to iron addition