Nitrogen isotope fractionation by alternative nitrogenases and past ocean anoxia.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A
; 111(13): 4782-7, 2014 Apr 01.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-24639508
ABSTRACT
Biological nitrogen fixation constitutes the main input of fixed nitrogen to Earth's ecosystems, and its isotope effect is a key parameter in isotope-based interpretations of the N cycle. The nitrogen isotopic composition (δ(15)N) of newly fixed N is currently believed to be â¼-1, based on measurements of organic matter from diazotrophs using molybdenum (Mo)-nitrogenases. We show that the vanadium (V)- and iron (Fe)-only "alternative" nitrogenases produce fixed N with significantly lower δ(15)N (-6 to -7). An important contribution of alternative nitrogenases to N2 fixation provides a simple explanation for the anomalously low δ(15)N (<-2) in sediments from the Cretaceous Oceanic Anoxic Events and the Archean Eon. A significant role for the alternative nitrogenases over Mo-nitrogenase is also consistent with evidence of Mo scarcity during these geologic periods, suggesting an additional dimension to the coupling between the global cycles of trace elements and nitrogen.
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Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Bactérias
/
Oceanos e Mares
/
Nitrogenase
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2014
Tipo de documento:
Article