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Volcanic Dust Increases Plant Iron, Phosphorus Uptake

4/24/2026

40 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Anton Lokshin showed dust can supply nutrients, noting phosphorus did not accumulate in shoots, suggesting movement.
Researchers dusted plant species with volcanic dust at a Judean Hills site, where six plants each showed spikes in iron, nickel, manganese and copper versus controls.
Foliar uptake may provide 17 % of iron in the western U.S. and 12 % of phosphorus in the eastern Amazon, with Mediterranean dust storms to match or exceed inputs.

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Story summary

Anton Lokshin showed dust can supply nutrients, noting phosphorus did not accumulate in shoots, suggesting movement.
Researchers dusted plant species with volcanic dust at a Judean Hills site, where six plants each showed spikes in iron, nickel, manganese and copper versus controls.
Foliar uptake may provide 17 % of iron in the western U.S. and 12 % of phosphorus in the eastern Amazon, with Mediterranean dust storms to match or exceed inputs.