In situ measurements of micronutrient dynamics in open seawater show that complex dissociation rates may limit diatom growth

Baeyens, Willy; Gao, Yue; Davison, William; Galceran i Nogués, Josep; Leermakers, Martine; Puy Llorens, Jaume; Superville, Pierre-Jean; Beguery, Laurent

doi:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-34465-w

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Issue date

2018-12

Author

Baeyens, Willy

Gao, Yue

Davison, William

Galceran i Nogués, Josep

Leermakers, Martine

Puy Llorens, Jaume

Superville, Pierre-Jean

Beguery, Laurent

Suggested citation

Baeyens, Willy; Gao, Yue; Davison, William; Galceran i Nogués, Josep; Leermakers, Martine; Puy Llorens, Jaume; ... Beguery, Laurent. (2018) . In situ measurements of micronutrient dynamics in open seawater show that complex dissociation rates may limit diatom growth. Scientific Reports, 2018, vol. 8, núm. 16125, p. 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-34465-w.

Abstract

In this first in situ study of the dynamic availability of phytoplankton micronutrients, a SeaExplorer glider was combined with Diffusive Gradients in Thin Films and deployed in the Mediterranean Sea. On the basis of their labile metal complex pools, we discovered that Fe and Co can be potentially limiting

and Cu co-limiting to diatom growth, contrary to the generally accepted view that phosphorus (phosphate) is the growth limiting element in the Mediterranean Sea. For flagellates and picoplankton, phosphorus remains the main element limiting growth. Our in situ measurements showed that organic complexes of Fe and Cu (>98% of total dissolved concentration), dissociate slower than inorganic complexes of Co, Cd and Ni (>99% of total dissolved concentration being free ions and inorganic complexes). This strengthens the potential growth limiting effect of Fe and Cu versus phosphate, which is present as a free ion and, thus, directly available for plankton.

URI

http://hdl.handle.net/10459.1/65580

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-34465-w

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Scientific Reports, 2018, vol. 8, núm. 16125, p. 1-11

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Publicacions de projectes de recerca del Plan Nacional [1985]
Articles publicats (Agrotecnio Center) [803]
Articles publicats (Química) [223]

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