Effect of rising atmospheric carbon dioxide on the marine nitrogen fixer Trichodesmium.

Barcelos e Ramos, Joana, Biswas, H., Schulz, Kai G., LaRoche, Julie and Riebesell, Ulf (2007) Effect of rising atmospheric carbon dioxide on the marine nitrogen fixer Trichodesmium. Open Access Global Biogeochemical Cycles, 21 (2). GB2028. DOI 10.1029/2006GB002898.

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Abstract

Diazotrophic (N2-fixing) cyanobacteria provide the biological source of new nitrogen for large parts of the ocean. However, little is known about their sensitivity to global change. Here we show that the single most important nitrogen fixer in today's ocean, Trichodesmium, is strongly affected by changes in CO2 concentrations. Cell division rate doubled with rising CO2 (glacial to projected year 2100 levels) prompting lower carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus cellular contents, and reduced cell dimensions. N2 fixation rates per unit of phosphorus utilization as well as C:P and N:P ratios more than doubled at high CO2, with no change in C:N ratios. This could enhance the productivity of N-limited oligotrophic oceans, drive some of these areas into P limitation, and increase biological carbon sequestration in the ocean. The observed CO2 sensitivity of Trichodesmium could thereby provide a strong negative feedback to atmospheric CO2 increase.

Document Type: Article
Keywords: Biological Oceanography; Biogeochemistry; hydrology; land use; riparian hyporheic; water quality; nutrients and nutrient cycling; ecosystems; biogeochemical cycles
Research affiliation: OceanRep > GEOMAR > FB2 Marine Biogeochemistry > FB2-BI Biological Oceanography
Refereed: Yes
Open Access Journal?: No
Publisher: AGU (American Geophysical Union)
Projects: Future Ocean
Date Deposited: 03 Dec 2008 16:52
Last Modified: 20 Mar 2018 12:35
URI: https://oceanrep.geomar.de/id/eprint/1810

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