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Ocean nutrient ratios governed by plankton biogeography
Thomas S Weber1, Curtis Deutsch
1Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA. tweber@atmos.ucla.edu
Nature
|October 1, 2010
Summary
Ocean circulation and plankton species composition drive the nitrogen (N) to phosphorus (P) ratio in Southern Ocean surface waters. These factors influence nutrient removal and carbon export, with potential climate change impacts.
Area of Science:
- Marine chemistry and biogeochemical cycles
- Biological oceanography
- Climate science
Background:
- Nitrate and phosphate exhibit strong oceanic correlations, approximating the average nitrogen (N) to phosphorus (P) ratio of plankton biomass (16:1).
- The mechanisms generating this global nutrient relationship, despite diverse organismal N/P ratios, remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the factors controlling the N/P ratio of biological nutrient removal in Southern Ocean surface waters.
- To understand how ocean circulation and plankton community structure influence nutrient covariation across different latitudes.
Main Methods:
- Utilized an ocean circulation model coupled with observed nutrient distributions.
- Analyzed regional variations in plankton species composition.
Main Results:
- The N/P ratio of nutrient removal varied latitudinally, ranging from 12:1 in polar regions to 20:1 in the sub-Antarctic zone.
- Plankton community species composition was identified as the primary driver of these regional N/P ratio differences.
- Ocean circulation was found to maintain the covariation of nitrate and phosphate by mixing subsurface nutrients between biogeographic provinces.
Conclusions:
- Regional plankton community structure dictates the N/P ratio of nutrient uptake in the Southern Ocean.
- Ocean circulation plays a crucial role in maintaining the observed nitrate-phosphate covariation.
- Climate-driven alterations to marine biomes could modify the mean N/P ratio and subsequent carbon export from Southern Ocean ecosystems.
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