Global analysis of ocean phytoplankton nutrient limitation reveals high prevalence of co-limitation
Abstract Nutrient availability limits phytoplankton growth throughout much of the global ocean. Here we synthesize available experimental data to identify three dominant nutrient limitation regimes: nitrogen is limiting in the stratified subtropical gyres and in the summertime Arctic Ocean, iron is...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2023-08-01
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| Series: | Nature Communications |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-40774-0 |
| _version_ | 1797557861594693632 |
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| author | Thomas J. Browning C. Mark Moore |
| author_facet | Thomas J. Browning C. Mark Moore |
| author_sort | Thomas J. Browning |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Nutrient availability limits phytoplankton growth throughout much of the global ocean. Here we synthesize available experimental data to identify three dominant nutrient limitation regimes: nitrogen is limiting in the stratified subtropical gyres and in the summertime Arctic Ocean, iron is most commonly limiting in upwelling regions, and both nutrients are frequently co-limiting in regions in between the nitrogen and iron limited systems. Manganese can be co-limiting with iron in parts of the Southern Ocean, whilst phosphate and cobalt can be co-/serially limiting in some settings. Overall, an analysis of experimental responses showed that phytoplankton net growth can be significantly enhanced through increasing the number of different nutrients supplied, regardless of latitude, temperature, or trophic status, implying surface seawaters are often approaching nutrient co-limitation. Assessments of nutrient deficiency based on seawater nutrient concentrations and nutrient stress diagnosed via molecular biomarkers showed good agreement with experimentally-assessed nutrient limitation, validating conceptual and theoretical links between nutrient stoichiometry and microbial ecophysiology. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T17:23:16Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-423289725fcd4218907b612200cf2009 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2041-1723 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T17:23:16Z |
| publishDate | 2023-08-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nature Communications |
| spelling | doaj.art-423289725fcd4218907b612200cf20092023-11-20T10:16:25ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232023-08-0114111210.1038/s41467-023-40774-0Global analysis of ocean phytoplankton nutrient limitation reveals high prevalence of co-limitationThomas J. Browning0C. Mark Moore1Marine Biogeochemistry Division, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean ResearchSchool of Ocean and Earth Science, National Oceanography Centre Southampton, University of SouthamptonAbstract Nutrient availability limits phytoplankton growth throughout much of the global ocean. Here we synthesize available experimental data to identify three dominant nutrient limitation regimes: nitrogen is limiting in the stratified subtropical gyres and in the summertime Arctic Ocean, iron is most commonly limiting in upwelling regions, and both nutrients are frequently co-limiting in regions in between the nitrogen and iron limited systems. Manganese can be co-limiting with iron in parts of the Southern Ocean, whilst phosphate and cobalt can be co-/serially limiting in some settings. Overall, an analysis of experimental responses showed that phytoplankton net growth can be significantly enhanced through increasing the number of different nutrients supplied, regardless of latitude, temperature, or trophic status, implying surface seawaters are often approaching nutrient co-limitation. Assessments of nutrient deficiency based on seawater nutrient concentrations and nutrient stress diagnosed via molecular biomarkers showed good agreement with experimentally-assessed nutrient limitation, validating conceptual and theoretical links between nutrient stoichiometry and microbial ecophysiology.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-40774-0 |
| spellingShingle | Thomas J. Browning C. Mark Moore Global analysis of ocean phytoplankton nutrient limitation reveals high prevalence of co-limitation Nature Communications |
| title | Global analysis of ocean phytoplankton nutrient limitation reveals high prevalence of co-limitation |
| title_full | Global analysis of ocean phytoplankton nutrient limitation reveals high prevalence of co-limitation |
| title_fullStr | Global analysis of ocean phytoplankton nutrient limitation reveals high prevalence of co-limitation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Global analysis of ocean phytoplankton nutrient limitation reveals high prevalence of co-limitation |
| title_short | Global analysis of ocean phytoplankton nutrient limitation reveals high prevalence of co-limitation |
| title_sort | global analysis of ocean phytoplankton nutrient limitation reveals high prevalence of co limitation |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-40774-0 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT thomasjbrowning globalanalysisofoceanphytoplanktonnutrientlimitationrevealshighprevalenceofcolimitation AT cmarkmoore globalanalysisofoceanphytoplanktonnutrientlimitationrevealshighprevalenceofcolimitation |