Fine scale dynamics of diazotrophs in the ocean – FIESTA
The ocean is constantly stirred by currents that swirl and mix seawater creating fronts, filaments and eddies. These dynamic structures are known as ‘fine scales’, and feature spatiotemporal scales of 1-100 km and days-weeks. Fine scales alter biogeochemical gradients affecting phytoplankton productivity and carbon export, but their role in nitrogen cycling is unknown. The greatest source of bioavailable nitrogen in the ocean is nitrogen fixation performed by microbes called ‘diazotrophs’. Understanding the role of fine scales on diazotroph activity and distribution requires dynamic sampling approaches at high-resolution. FIESTA will implement parallel measurements of nitrogen fixation rates, diazotroph abundance and diversity at an unprecedented resolution, >50 times higher than current measurements. This will allow more accurate quantification of nitrogen inputs to the dynamic ocean, which is key to constrain its current and future role in CO2 withdrawal and climate change.
Project coordination
Mar Benavides (Institut Méditerranéen d'océanologie)
The author of this summary is the project coordinator, who is responsible for the content of this summary. The ANR declines any responsibility as for its contents.
Partner
University of Hawaii / Center for Microbial Oceanography Research and Education
LEGOS LEGOS
IOCAG Instituto de Oceanografía y Cambio Global / GOF Oceanografía Física
MIO Institut Méditerranéen d'océanologie
LEGOS Laboratoire d'études en géophysique et océanographie spatiales
Help of the ANR 330,144 euros
Beginning and duration of the scientific project:
January 2022
- 36 Months