Biogeosciences
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4
1
2007
10.5194/bg-4-53-2007
http://www.biogeosciences.net/4/53/2007/
http://www.biogeosciences.net/4/53/2007/bg-4-53-2007.html
http://www.biogeosciences.net/4/53/2007/bg-4-53-2007.pdf
53
61
2007-01-15
Physiological constraints on the global distribution of <i>Trichodesmium</i> – effect of temperature on diazotrophy
E. Breitbarth
eike@chem.gu.se
A. Oschlies
J. LaRoche
Leibniz-Institute of Marine Sciences, IFM-GEOMAR, Düsternbrooker Weg 20, 24105 Kiel, Germany
National Oceanography Centre, Southampton, European Way, Southampton, SO14 3ZH, UK
now at: Department of Chemistry, Analytical and Marine Chemistry, Göteborg University, Kemivägen 10, 412 96 Göteborg, Sweden
now at: Division of Applied Geology, Department of Applied Chemistry and Geosciences, Luleå University of Technology, 971 87 Luleå, Sweden
now at: Leibniz-Institute of Marine Sciences, IFM-GEOMAR, Düsternbrooker Weg 20, 24105 Kiel, Germany
The cyanobacterium <i>Trichodesmium</i> is an important
link in the global nitrogen cycle due to
its significant input of atmospheric nitrogen to the ocean.
Attempts to incorporate <i>Trichodesmium</i> in ocean biogeochemical circulation models
have, so far, relied on the observed
correlation between temperature and <i>Trichodesmium</i> abundance.
This correlation may result in part from a direct effect of temperature on <i>Trichodesmium</i> growth rates
through the control of cellular biochemical
processes, or indirectly through temperature influence on mixed layer depth, light
and nutrient regimes. Here we present results indicating that the observed
correlation of <i>Trichodesmium</i> with temperature in the field reflects primarily the direct
physiological effects of temperature on diazotrophic growth of
<i>Trichodesmium</i>. <i>Trichodesmium</i> IMS-101 (an isolate of <i>Trichodesmium</i>)
could acclimate and grow at temperatures ranging
from 20 to 34°C. Maximum growth rates (μ<sub>max</sub>=0.25 day<sup>–1</sup>)
and maximum nitrogen fixation rates (0.13 mmol N mol POC<sup>−1</sup> h<sup>–1</sup>)
were measured within 24 to 30°C. Combining this empirical relationship with global
warming scenarios derived from state-of-the-art climate models sets a
physiological constraint on the future distribution of <i>Trichodesmium</i> that could
significantly affect the future nitrogen input into oligotrophic waters by this diazotroph.
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