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Denitrification Aligns with N2 Fixation in Red Sea Corals
Arjen Tilstra1, Yusuf C El-Khaled2, Florian Roth3
1Marine Ecology Department, Faculty of Biology and Chemistry, University of Bremen, Bremen, 28359, Germany. tilstra@uni-bremen.de.
Scientific Reports
|December 21, 2019
Summary
Denitrification helps corals manage excess nitrogen. Higher denitrification activity was found in Acropora hemprichii, potentially balancing nitrogen fixation and maintaining coral health.
Area of Science:
- Marine microbiology
- Coral reef ecology
- Biogeochemical cycles
Background:
- Coral holobionts require nitrogen-phosphorus balance for health.
- Denitrification's role in coral nitrogen cycling is poorly understood.
- Nitrogen fixation can lead to excess nitrogen in corals.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate denitrification potential and rates in Red Sea corals.
- Compare denitrification activity across different coral species.
- Understand the relationship between denitrification, nitrogen fixation, and Symbiodiniaceae.
Main Methods:
- Used nirS gene as a proxy for denitrification potential.
- Measured denitrification and nitrogen fixation rates.
- Assessed Symbiodiniaceae density and oxygen evolution in Acropora hemprichii, Millepora dichotoma, and Pleuractis granulosa.
Main Results:
- Acropora hemprichii showed significantly higher nirS gene abundance and denitrification rates.
- Denitrification rates correlated positively with nitrogen fixation and Symbiodiniaceae density.
- Millepora dichotoma and Pleuractis granulosa exhibited lower denitrification activity.
Conclusions:
- Denitrification may counterbalance nitrogen input from nitrogen fixation in coral holobionts.
- Photosynthates from Symbiodiniaceae might limit denitrification and nitrogen fixation.
- Findings highlight denitrification's crucial role in coral nitrogen homeostasis.
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