Exploring the link between micronutrients and phytoplankton in the Southern Ocean during the 2007 austral summer

Hassler, CS; Sinoir, M; Clementson, LA; Butler, ECV

Exploring the link between micronutrients and phytoplankton in the Southern Ocean during the 2007 austral summer

Hassler, CS Sinoir, M Clementson, LA Butler, ECV

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Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Frontiers in Microbiology, 2012, 3 (JUL)
Issue Date:: 2012-01-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Hassler, CS	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Sinoir, M	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Clementson, LA	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Butler, ECV	en_US
dc.date.available	2012-05-16	en_US
dc.date.issued	2012-01-01	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	Frontiers in Microbiology, 2012, 3 (JUL)	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/22822
dc.description.abstract	Bottle assays and large-scale fertilization experiments have demonstrated that, in the Southern Ocean, iron often controls the biomass and the biodiversity of primary producers. To grow, phytoplankton need numerous other trace metals (micronutrients) required for the activity of key enzymes and other intracellular functions. However, little is known of the potential these other trace elements have to limit the growth of phytoplankton in the Southern Ocean.This study, investigates whether micronutrients other than iron (Zn, Co, Cu, Cd, Ni) need to be considered as parameters for controlling the phytoplankton growth from the Australian Subantarctic to the Polar Frontal Zones during the austral summer 2007. Analy- sis of nutrient disappearance ratios, suggested differential zones in phytoplankton growth control in the study region with a most intense phytoplankton growth limitation between 49 and 50°S. Comparison of micronutrient disappearance ratios, metal distribution, and biomarker pigments used to identify dominating phytoplankton groups, demonstrated that a complex interaction between Fe, Zn, and Co might exist in the study region. Although iron remains the pivotal micronutrient for phytoplankton growth and community structure, Zn and Co are also important for the nutrition and the growth of most of the dominating phytoplankton groups in the Subantarctic Zone region. Understanding of the parameters controlling phytoplankton is paramount, as it affects the functioning of the Southern Ocean, its marine resources and ultimately the global carbon cycle. © 2012 Hassler, Sinoir, Clementson and Butler.	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	Frontiers in Microbiology	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.3389/fmicb.2012.00202	en_US
dc.title	Exploring the link between micronutrients and phytoplankton in the Southern Ocean during the 2007 austral summer	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	JUL	en_US
utslib.citation.volume	3	en_US
utslib.for	0605 Microbiology	en_US
utslib.for	0502 Environmental Science and Management	en_US
utslib.for	0503 Soil Sciences	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Science
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access
pubs.issue	JUL	en_US
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	3	en_US

Abstract:

Bottle assays and large-scale fertilization experiments have demonstrated that, in the Southern Ocean, iron often controls the biomass and the biodiversity of primary producers. To grow, phytoplankton need numerous other trace metals (micronutrients) required for the activity of key enzymes and other intracellular functions. However, little is known of the potential these other trace elements have to limit the growth of phytoplankton in the Southern Ocean.This study, investigates whether micronutrients other than iron (Zn, Co, Cu, Cd, Ni) need to be considered as parameters for controlling the phytoplankton growth from the Australian Subantarctic to the Polar Frontal Zones during the austral summer 2007. Analy- sis of nutrient disappearance ratios, suggested differential zones in phytoplankton growth control in the study region with a most intense phytoplankton growth limitation between 49 and 50°S. Comparison of micronutrient disappearance ratios, metal distribution, and biomarker pigments used to identify dominating phytoplankton groups, demonstrated that a complex interaction between Fe, Zn, and Co might exist in the study region. Although iron remains the pivotal micronutrient for phytoplankton growth and community structure, Zn and Co are also important for the nutrition and the growth of most of the dominating phytoplankton groups in the Subantarctic Zone region. Understanding of the parameters controlling phytoplankton is paramount, as it affects the functioning of the Southern Ocean, its marine resources and ultimately the global carbon cycle. © 2012 Hassler, Sinoir, Clementson and Butler.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/22822