Ocean nutrient ratios governed by plankton biogeography.
Nature
; 467(7315): 550-4, 2010 Sep 30.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-20882009
ABSTRACT
The major nutrients nitrate and phosphate have one of the strongest correlations in the sea, with a slope similar to the average nitrogen (N) to phosphorus (P) content of plankton biomass (N/P = 161). The processes through which this global relationship emerges despite the wide range of N/P ratios at the organism level are not known. Here we use an ocean circulation model and observed nutrient distributions to show that the N/P ratio of biological nutrient removal varies across latitude in Southern Ocean surface waters, from 121 in the polar ocean to 201 in the sub-Antarctic zone. These variations are governed by regional differences in the species composition of the plankton community. The covariation of dissolved nitrate and phosphate is maintained by ocean circulation, which mixes the shallow subsurface nutrients between distinct biogeographic provinces. Climate-driven shifts in these marine biomes may alter the mean N/P ratio and the associated carbon export by Southern Ocean ecosystems.
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Plancton
/
Agua de Mar
/
Ecosistema
/
Geografía
Tipo de estudio:
Prognostic_studies
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Nature
Año:
2010
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Estados Unidos