Article
Environmental Sciences
Luis M. Bolanos, Chang Jae Choi, Alexandra Z. Worden, Nicholas Baetge, Craig A. Carlson, Stephen Giovannoni
Summary: This study conducted a comprehensive survey of microbial profiles in the western North Atlantic, revealing stark seasonal differences in composition and richness delimited by the biogeographical distribution of the planktonic communities.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Thomas J. Browning, Ali A. Al-Hashem, Eric P. Achterberg, Paloma C. Carvalho, Paulo Catry, Jason Matthiopoulos, Julie A. O. Miller, Ewan D. Wakefield
Summary: Nutrients supplied by seabird guano can enhance primary production in coastal and potentially open ocean ecosystems. This study investigated nutrient concentrations and release dynamics in guano collected from the North Atlantic, finding that guano is enriched in phosphorus, released as phosphate in solution, and also releases nitrogen in the form of ammonium and urea. Trace elements, including iron, were also released. Bioassays demonstrated that fresh guano can increase phytoplankton biomass and photochemical efficiencies in ambient seawater. Despite being a minor source of nutrients on annual scales in the surface North Atlantic, guano deposition could be highly important in late spring/summer, with phosphorus deposition estimates comparable to diffusion from deeper waters.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
A. Boot, A. S. von der Heydt, H. A. Dijkstra
Summary: This study assesses the impact of climate change on biological production and phytoplankton composition in the high latitude North Atlantic Ocean using CESM2 model. The results show a shift in dominant phytoplankton type, which decreases net primary and export productivity. A positive feedback loop is identified, where the decrease in biological production increases atmospheric CO2 concentrations by approximately 60 GtCO2 per degree warming.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Karen E. Selph, Rasmus Swalethorp, Michael R. Stukel, Thomas B. Kelly, Angela N. Knapp, Kelsey Fleming, Tabitha Hernandez, Michael R. Landry
Summary: The research investigated the biomass and composition of phytoplankton community in the deep-water Gulf of Mexico in May 2017 and May 2018. The phytoplankton in the Gulf of Mexico had a chlorophyll a concentration of about 10 mg/m2 and autotrophic carbon ranging from 463 to 1268 mg/m2, with dominance by picoplankton. The taxonomic composition of phytoplankton varied between the mixed layer and deep chlorophyll maximum, reflecting different pathways for primary production.
JOURNAL OF PLANKTON RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yun Zhang, Kaidi Li, Qichao Zhou, Le Chen, Xuan Yang, Hucai Zhang
Summary: The study found that the response of phytoplankton to ultraviolet radiation largely depends on nutrient availability, with no significant responses in oligotrophic raw water but positive responses in nutrient enrichment. Additionally, different phytoplankton taxa exhibit varied responses to UV radiation, with chlorophytes and dinoflagellates showing positive responses, chrysophytes being sensitive, diatoms showing no significant response, and cyanobacteria's response being nutrient-dependent.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Vanda Brotas, Afonso Ferreira, Vera Veloso, Andreia Tracana, Catarina V. Guerreiro, Glen Adam Tarran, E. Malcolm S. Woodward, Lourenco Ribeiro, Jane Netting, Daniel Clewley, Steve B. Groom
Summary: Through the Atlantic Meridional Transect (AMT) program, researchers investigated the size structure of the phytoplankton community in the Atlantic Ocean and identified the abundance and spatial distribution of different taxa in different regions. The study revealed significant differences in community composition between regions and detected changes over recent years, indicating the need for further research.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Oceanography
M. D. Bharathi, V. Venkataramana, V. V. S. S. Sarma
Summary: This study investigates the impact of salinity and hydrological characteristics on phytoplankton community structure in tropical estuaries. The results show that the lower estuarine region is dominated by diatoms, while the upper estuarine region has higher phytoplankton biomass/abundance and more diverse taxa. Phytoplankton abundance is primarily governed by light availability and grazing pressure, while variations in nutrient concentrations and salinity influence phytoplankton community structure.
CONTINENTAL SHELF RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Thomas J. Browning, Ali A. Al-Hashem, Mark J. Hopwood, Anja Engel, Igor M. Belkin, Ewan D. Wakefield, Tim Fischer, Eric P. Achterberg
Summary: This study found that iron supply and proximity to shelf iron sources are important factors regulating productivity and macronutrient utilization in mid-latitude North Atlantic cyclonic eddies.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
C. Pamela Orta-Ponce, Tamara Rodriguez-Ramos, Mar Nieto-Cid, Eva Teira, Elisa Guerrero-Feijoo, Antonio Bode, Marta M. Varela
Summary: The study revealed depth-stratification in leucine-to-carbon conversion factors (CFs) in the ocean, showing significant differences from epipelagic to bathypelagic waters, correlated with hydrographic variables, specific phylogenetic groups, and DOM quality and quantity indices. Attempting to predict CFs using relatively simple hydrographic and optical spectroscopic measurements was also explored in the study.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
James N. Hitchcock
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the influence of different concentrations of microplastic fibers on phytoplankton community structure. Through two six-day experiments, it was found that high concentrations of microplastics significantly altered the structure of the phytoplankton community, increasing the abundance of certain cyanobacteria taxa while reducing the abundance of other taxa.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Limnology
Tanguy Soulie, Herwig Stibor, Sebastien Mas, Benjamin Braun, Johanna Knechtel, Jens C. Nejstgaard, Ulrich Sommer, Francesca Vidussi, Behzad Mostajir
Summary: In recent decades, the increase in terrestrial inputs has led to water color darkening known as brownification. An in situ mesocosm experiment was conducted to simulate brownification and investigate its effects on plankton community composition and functioning. The results suggest that brownification can significantly alter the composition of phytoplankton and zooplankton communities and the overall oxygen metabolism of plankton communities in coastal areas.
LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Boris Sauterey, Ben A. Ward
Summary: The stoichiometric coupling between carbon and limiting nutrients in marine phytoplankton is controlled by nitrogen availability and temperature, with different biological mechanisms involved depending on the region and spatiotemporal scale. Nitrogen availability below 40 degrees N predominantly drives phytoplankton C:N stoichiometry, while temperature and grazing pressure dominate at higher latitudes.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Joaquin Ortiz, Javier Aristegui, Nauzet Hernandez-Hernandez, Mar Fernandez-Mendez, Ulf Riebesell
Summary: Artificial upwelling has been proposed as a method to enhance oceanic CO2 sequestration and fishery yields. However, there is limited evidence on its efficacy and side effects. A study conducted in oligotrophic waters showed that artificial upwelling had a significant impact on the pelagic community, especially at higher intensity. Recurring supply of upwelled waters showed better results compared to a single pulse.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Feng Wang, Shujin Guo, Junhua Liang, Xiaoxia Sun
Summary: Under the background of global warming, the area of oligotrophic tropical oceans has expanded due to increased water-column stratification. Picophytoplankton communities, especially Prochlorococcus, picoeukaryotes, and Synechococcus, play a crucial role in carbon biomass and primary production. This study investigated the distribution patterns of picophytoplankton communities in the eastern Indian Ocean and found that their abundance was strongly correlated with the degree of vertical stratification. Synechococcus preferred strongly stratified waters, while Prochlorococcus thrived in regions of weaker stratification. Understanding these distribution patterns and their relationship with stratification is essential for comprehensively understanding the oligotrophic tropical ecosystem with increasing stratification in the future.
MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Chengfeng Le, Yihui Chen, John C. Lehrter, Chuanmin Hu, Heather Bouman, Wei-Jun Cai, Lin Qi
Summary: By analyzing multi-decadal atmospheric and oceanic data over the North Atlantic Ocean, the researchers found that winter Greenland blocking events are connected to variability in the subtropical spring blooms. The blocking leads to a shift of the jet stream, higher surface westerly winds, and deeper vertical mixing in the subtropical North Atlantic, ultimately promoting larger spring blooms.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Jian Wang, Rob Wood, Michael P. Jensen, J. Christine Chiu, Yangang Liu, Katia Lamer, Neel Desai, Scott E. Giangrande, Daniel A. Knopf, Pavlos Kollias, Alexander Laskin, Xiaohong Liu, Chunsong Lu, David Mechem, Fan Mei, Mariusz Starzec, Jason Tomlinson, Yang Wang, Seong Soo Yum, Guangjie Zheng, Allison C. Aiken, Eduardo B. Azevedo, Yann Blanchard, Swarup China, Xiquan Dong, Francesca Gallo, Sinan Gao, Virendra P. Ghate, Susanne Glienke, Lexie Goldberger, Joseph C. Hardin, Chongai Kuang, Edward P. Luke, Alyssa A. Matthews, Mark A. Miller, Ryan Moffet, Mikhail Pekour, Beat Schmid, Arthur J. Sedlacek, Raymond A. Shaw, John E. Shilling, Amy Sullivan, Kaitlyn Suski, Daniel P. Veghte, Rodney Weber, Matt Wyant, Jaemin Yeom, Maria Zawadowicz, Zhibo Zhang
Summary: Marine low clouds have a significant impact on global climate, but their representation in global climate models is currently inadequate. Understanding how marine low clouds respond to changes in atmospheric greenhouse gases and aerosols is a major source of uncertainty in climate simulations. The eastern North Atlantic region is a unique area with diverse marine boundary layer clouds, making it an excellent location to study the impact of aerosols on cloud properties. The Aerosol and Cloud Experiments in Eastern North Atlantic campaign was conducted to improve the understanding of the marine boundary layer cloud and aerosol interactions, as well as the cloud condensation nuclei budget.
BULLETIN OF THE AMERICAN METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Michelle N. Simone, Joanne M. Oakes, Kai G. Schulz, Bradley D. Eyre
Summary: The impact of future climate change on benthic nitrogen recycling and assimilation was assessed in this study. The results showed that combinations of warming and ocean acidification significantly affected the fluxes of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN), highlighting the importance of considering combined stressor treatments when studying ecosystem responses to future climates.
MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Rebecca J. Duncan, Daniel A. Nielsen, Cristin E. Sheehan, Stacy Deppeler, Alyce M. Hancock, Kai G. Schulz, Andrew T. Davidson, Katherina Petrou
Summary: Primary production in the Southern Ocean is dominated by diatom-rich phytoplankton assemblages. However, limited knowledge exists on how diatoms allocate cellular energy in response to ocean acidification (OA). In this study, macromolecular content of selected diatom taxa from an Antarctic phytoplankton community exposed to different fCO(2) levels was analyzed. Species-specific differences in macromolecular partitioning under OA were observed. These changes may have cascading effects on food web dynamics in the Antarctic marine ecosystem.
Article
Limnology
Marina T. Botana, Adriano B. Chaves-Filho, Alex Inague, Arthur Z. Guth, Flavia Saldanha-Correa, Marius N. Muller, Paulo Y. G. Sumida, Sayuri Miyamoto, Matthias Y. Kellermann, Raymond C. Valentine, Marcos Y. Yoshinaga
Summary: Coral decline caused by ocean warming is a global issue. This study used an untargeted lipidomic approach to examine the changes in lipidome and pigments of coral symbionts after a heat shock. The results showed that heat sensitive symbionts displayed changes in lipidome and pigments, while heat tolerant symbionts maintained stable membrane lipids. These findings provide a baseline for further research on lipid biomarkers linked to thermal stress.
LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chamara Benthotage, Kai G. Schulz, Victoria J. Cole, Kirsten Benkendorff
Summary: Leaf oysters are large bivalves that form shellfish reefs in estuaries. This study investigated the condition of leaf oyster populations in four estuaries in northern New South Wales, Australia, and found significant correlations between their health indicators and water quality parameters. Leaf oysters exhibited differences in density, size, and body condition among the estuaries, but were able to form dense reefs in estuarine soft muddy bottom habitats with low water flow.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Editorial Material
Environmental Sciences
Brett W. W. Molony, Alex T. T. Ford, Ana M. M. Sequeira, Angel Borja, Anna Milena Zivian, Carol Robinson, Christian Lonborg, Elva G. G. Escobar-Briones, Emanuele Di Lorenzo, Jesper H. H. Andersen, Marius N. N. Mueller, Michelle J. J. Devlin, Pierre Failler, Sebastian Villasante, Simone Libralato, Tomaso Fortibuoni
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Carlos Yure B. Oliveira, Jessika L. Abreu, Elizabeth P. Santos, Angelo P. Matos, Giustino Tribuzi, Cicero Diogo L. Oliveira, Bruno O. Veras, Railson S. Bezerra, Marius N. Muller, Alfredo O. Galvez
Summary: This study investigated the effects of irradiance mediated by light-emitting diodes on growth performance, carotenoid and fatty acid profiles, and antioxidant activity of the endosymbiotic dinoflagellate Durusdinium glynnii. The results showed that D. glynnii is well adapted to low-light conditions but can also tolerate high light intensities. The accumulation of peridinin, a light-harvesting carotenoid, in D. glynnii occurred during high-light exposure. The study contributes to understanding the photoprotective role of peridinin in endosymbiont dinoflagellates and highlights the antioxidant activity of peridinin-rich extracts.
APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Joana Barcelos E. Ramos, Susana Chaves Ribeiro, Kai George Schulz, Francisco Jose Riso Da Costa Coelho, Vanessa Oliveira, Angela Cunha, Newton Carlos Marcial Gomes, Colin Brownlee, Uta Passow, Eduardo Brito de Azevedo
Summary: The interactions between marine microbes play a crucial role in the balance of organic matter in the ocean, but the impact of rising CO2 concentrations on phytoplankton response is not well understood. This study shows that the growth rate of Emiliania huxleyi is reduced under increased CO2 concentrations, especially when coexisting with certain bacteria. Additionally, high CO2 concentrations affect the cellular content of E. huxleyi, increasing organic carbon and decreasing inorganic carbon in the presence of specific bacteria. Bacterial isolates can only survive in coexistence with E. huxleyi, and this interaction may have consequences for the balance between the microbial loop and the export of organic matter.
Article
Limnology
Charly A. Moras, Lennart T. Bach, Tyler Cyronak, Renaud Joannes-Boyau, Kai G. Schulz
Summary: Accurate measurements of seawater carbonate chemistry are crucial for marine carbon cycle research. Due to limited access to certified reference materials (CRMs) caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, in-house reference materials (IHRMs) for total alkalinity (TA) and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) were prepared and monitored over 12 and 15 months, respectively. The stability of TA was observed, while a slight increase in DIC, potentially attributed to bacterial growth, was noted.
LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY-METHODS
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
I. M. Gil, J. F. McManus, A. Rebotim, A. Narciso, E. Salgueiro, F. Abrantes
Summary: Relatively high opal concentrations were found in equatorial Atlantic sediments during the most recent deglaciation. The causes of these concentrations were investigated by analyzing microfossils, including siliceous and calcareous species, in seven sediment cores. The results suggest that the presence of coccolithophores indicates early deglacial changes due to a shift in the intertropical convergence zone and the formation of a cold tongue of upwelled water. The presence of specific diatom and coccolithophore species suggests enhanced primary productivity and nutrient enrichment during this time period.
PALEOCEANOGRAPHY AND PALEOCLIMATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Carlos Yure B. Oliveira, Barbara de Cassia S. Brandao, Luiz Gustavo de S. Jannuzzi, Deyvid Willame S. Oliveira, Gilvan Takeshi Yogui, Marius N. Mueller, Alfredo O. Galvez
Summary: This study explores how endosymbiotic dinoflagellates are affected by concentration and source of nitrogen. The results show that high nitrogen concentrations promote dinoflagellate growth, while the uptake of urea can alleviate the impact of thermal stress on the dinoflagellates, thus mitigating coral bleaching events.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Aaron Ferderer, Zanna Chase, Fraser Kennedy, Kai G. Schulz, Lennart T. Bach
Summary: Ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) is a proposed method to counteract climate change. In a closed experimental system, OAE was found to have significant but moderate effects on phytoplankton communities and heterotrophic bacteria, with the most pronounced effects observed on diatoms. However, the climate benefits of increasing the inorganic carbon sink of seawater outweigh the inadvertent effects of OAE on coastal phytoplankton communities.
Article
Ecology
Charly A. Moras, Lennart T. Bach, Tyler Cyronak, Renaud Joannes-Boyau, Kai G. Schulz
Summary: Ocean alkalinity enhancement is a method to remove CO2 from the atmosphere and counteract ocean acidification by dissolving alkaline minerals. The dissolution of minerals suitable for this method and the occurrence of secondary precipitation of CaCO3 are critical knowledge gaps. The study found that the dissolution of certain minerals in seawater can lead to secondary CaCO3 precipitation, but this can be avoided by dilution and other methods.
Article
Ecology
Shao-Min Chen, Ulf Riebesell, Kai G. Schulz, Elisabeth von der Esch, Eric P. Achterberg, Lennart T. Bach
Summary: This study provides detailed temporal analysis of carbonate chemistry in nearshore Pacific waters through a mesocosm experiment and observations in the surrounding area. It offers unique insights into the CO2 dynamics during a rare coastal El Nino event.
