Several studies assessed the impact of inorganic P in fertilizing oligotrophic areas, however, the importance of organic P in such fertilization processes received far less attention. In this study, the amount and origin of organic P delivered to the eastern Mediterranean Sea were characterized in atmospheric particles using the positive matrix factorization model (PMF). Phospholipids together with other chemical compounds (sugars, metals) were used as tracers in PMF. The model revealed that dominant sources of organic P are bioaerosols and dust. The amount of organic P from bioaerosols (~4 Gg P y⁻¹) is similar to the amount of soluble inorganic P originating from dust aerosols; this is especially true during highly stratified periods when surface waters are strongly P-limited. The deposition of organic P from bioaerosols can constitute a considerable flux of bioavailable P—even during periods of dust episodes, implying that airborne biological particles can potentially fertilize marine ecosystems.

一些研究评估了无机磷对贫营养地区施肥的影响，然而，有机磷在此类施肥过程中的重要性却很少受到关注。在这项研究中，使用正矩阵分解模型（PMF）表征了输送到地中海东部的有机磷的数量和来源。磷脂与其他化合物（糖、金属）一起用作 PMF 中的示踪剂。该模型显示有机磷的主要来源是生物气溶胶和灰尘。来自生物气溶胶的有机 P 的量 (~4 Gg P y ⁻¹) 与来自粉尘气溶胶的可溶性无机 P 的量相似；在地表水受到强烈 P 限制的高度分层时期尤其如此。来自生物气溶胶的有机磷的沉积可以构成相当大的生物可利用磷通量——即使在沙尘暴期间也是如此，这意味着空气中的生物颗粒可能会为海洋生态系统提供肥沃。