Interconnection of nitrogen fixers and iron in the Pacific Ocean: Theory and numerical simulations
We examine the interplay between iron supply, iron concentrations and phytoplankton communities in the Pacific Ocean. We present a theoretical framework which considers the competition for iron and nitrogen resources between phytoplankton to explain where nitrogen fixing autotrophs (diazotrophs, whi...
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| Other Authors: | |
| Format: | Article |
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American Geophysical Union (AGU)
2018
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| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/118334 https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3102-0341 |
| _version_ | 1826199323833008128 |
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| author | Monteiro, F. Dutkiewicz, Stephanie Ward, Ben Follows, Michael J |
| author2 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences |
| author_facet | Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences Monteiro, F. Dutkiewicz, Stephanie Ward, Ben Follows, Michael J |
| author_sort | Monteiro, F. |
| collection | MIT |
| description | We examine the interplay between iron supply, iron concentrations and phytoplankton communities in the Pacific Ocean. We present a theoretical framework which considers the competition for iron and nitrogen resources between phytoplankton to explain where nitrogen fixing autotrophs (diazotrophs, which require higher iron quotas, and have slower maximum growth) can co-exist with other phytoplankton. The framework also indicates that iron and fixed nitrogen concentrations can be strongly controlled by the local phytoplankton community. Together with results from a three-dimensional numerical model, we characterize three distinct biogeochemical provinces: 1) where iron supply is very low diazotrophs are excluded, and iron-limited nondiazotrophic phytoplankton control the iron concentrations; 2) a transition region where nondiazotrophic phytoplankton are nitrogen limited and control the nitrogen concentrations, but the iron supply is still too low relative to nitrate to support diazotrophy; 3) where iron supplies increase further relative to the nitrogen source, diazotrophs and other phytoplankton coexist; nitrogen concentrations are controlled by nondiazotrophs and iron concentrations are controlled by diazotrophs. The boundaries of these three provinces are defined by the rate of supply of iron relative to the supply of fixed nitrogen. The numerical model and theory provide a useful tool to understand the state of, links between, and response to changes in iron supply and phytoplankton community structure that have been suggested by observations. |
| first_indexed | 2024-09-23T11:18:01Z |
| format | Article |
| id | mit-1721.1/118334 |
| institution | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
| last_indexed | 2024-09-23T11:18:01Z |
| publishDate | 2018 |
| publisher | American Geophysical Union (AGU) |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | mit-1721.1/1183342022-09-27T18:35:47Z Interconnection of nitrogen fixers and iron in the Pacific Ocean: Theory and numerical simulations Monteiro, F. Dutkiewicz, Stephanie Ward, Ben Follows, Michael J Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences Dutkiewicz, Stephanie Ward, Ben Follows, Michael J We examine the interplay between iron supply, iron concentrations and phytoplankton communities in the Pacific Ocean. We present a theoretical framework which considers the competition for iron and nitrogen resources between phytoplankton to explain where nitrogen fixing autotrophs (diazotrophs, which require higher iron quotas, and have slower maximum growth) can co-exist with other phytoplankton. The framework also indicates that iron and fixed nitrogen concentrations can be strongly controlled by the local phytoplankton community. Together with results from a three-dimensional numerical model, we characterize three distinct biogeochemical provinces: 1) where iron supply is very low diazotrophs are excluded, and iron-limited nondiazotrophic phytoplankton control the iron concentrations; 2) a transition region where nondiazotrophic phytoplankton are nitrogen limited and control the nitrogen concentrations, but the iron supply is still too low relative to nitrate to support diazotrophy; 3) where iron supplies increase further relative to the nitrogen source, diazotrophs and other phytoplankton coexist; nitrogen concentrations are controlled by nondiazotrophs and iron concentrations are controlled by diazotrophs. The boundaries of these three provinces are defined by the rate of supply of iron relative to the supply of fixed nitrogen. The numerical model and theory provide a useful tool to understand the state of, links between, and response to changes in iron supply and phytoplankton community structure that have been suggested by observations. 2018-10-02T15:06:18Z 2018-10-02T15:06:18Z 2012-01 2011-08 2018-09-24T15:49:52Z Article http://purl.org/eprint/type/JournalArticle 0886-6236 http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/118334 Dutkiewicz, S. et al. “Interconnection of Nitrogen Fixers and Iron in the Pacific Ocean: Theory and Numerical Simulations.” Global Biogeochemical Cycles 26, 1 (January 2012): GB1012 © 2012 American Geophysical Union https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3102-0341 http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2011GB004039 Global Biogeochemical Cycles Article is made available in accordance with the publisher's policy and may be subject to US copyright law. Please refer to the publisher's site for terms of use. application/pdf American Geophysical Union (AGU) Other repository |
| spellingShingle | Monteiro, F. Dutkiewicz, Stephanie Ward, Ben Follows, Michael J Interconnection of nitrogen fixers and iron in the Pacific Ocean: Theory and numerical simulations |
| title | Interconnection of nitrogen fixers and iron in the Pacific Ocean: Theory and numerical simulations |
| title_full | Interconnection of nitrogen fixers and iron in the Pacific Ocean: Theory and numerical simulations |
| title_fullStr | Interconnection of nitrogen fixers and iron in the Pacific Ocean: Theory and numerical simulations |
| title_full_unstemmed | Interconnection of nitrogen fixers and iron in the Pacific Ocean: Theory and numerical simulations |
| title_short | Interconnection of nitrogen fixers and iron in the Pacific Ocean: Theory and numerical simulations |
| title_sort | interconnection of nitrogen fixers and iron in the pacific ocean theory and numerical simulations |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/118334 https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3102-0341 |
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