European Ocean Biodiversity Information System
[ report an error in this record ]basket (0): add | show Print this page
Significant mixed layer nitrification in a natural iron-fertilized bloom of the Southern Ocean
Fripiat, F.; Elskens, M.; Trull, W; Blain, S; Cavagna, A.-J.; Fernandez, C; Fonseca-Batista, D.; Planchon, F; Raimbault, P; Roukaerts, A.; Dehairs, F. (2015). Significant mixed layer nitrification in a natural iron-fertilized bloom of the Southern Ocean. Global Biogeochem. Cycles 29(11): 1929-1943. https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/2014GB005051
In: Global Biogeochemical Cycles. American Geophysical Union: Washington, DC. ISSN 0886-6236; e-ISSN 1944-9224
Peer reviewed article  
Available in  Authors 
    Vlaams Instituut voor de Zee: Non-open access 375524 [ request ]
Keyword
    Marine/Coastal
Author keywords
    nitrification;Southern Ocean;nitrogen cycle;iron fertilization
Authors  Top 
  • Fripiat, F.
  • Elskens, M.
  • Trull, T.
  • Blain, S.
  • Cavagna, A.-J.
  • Fernandez, C.
  • Fonseca-Batista, D.
  • Planchon, F.
  • Raimbault, P.
  • Roukaerts, A.
  • Dehairs, F.
Abstract
    Nitrification, the microbially mediated oxidation of ammonium into nitrate, is generally expected to be low in the Southern Ocean mixed layer. This paradigm assumes that nitrate is mainly provided through vertical mixing and assimilated during the vegetative season, supporting the concept that nitrate uptake is equivalent to the new primary production (i.e., primary production which is potentially available for export). Here we show that nitrification is significant (~40–80% of the seasonal nitrate uptake) in the naturally iron-fertilized bloom over the southeast Kerguelen Plateau. Hence, a large fraction of the nitrate-based primary production is regenerated, instead of being exported. It appears that nitrate assimilation (light dependent) and nitrification (partly light inhibited) are spatially separated between the upper and lower parts, respectively, of the deep surface mixed layers. These deep mixed layers, extending well below the euphotic layer, allow nitrifiers to compete with phytoplankton for the assimilation of ammonium. The high contributions of nitrification to nitrate uptake are in agreement with both low export efficiency (i.e., the percentage of primary production that is exported) and low seasonal nitrate drawdown despite high nitrate assimilation.
All data in the Integrated Marine Information System (IMIS) is subject to the VLIZ privacy policy Top | Authors