Global analysis of ocean phytoplankton nutrient limitation reveals high prevalence of co-limitation
Global analysis of ocean phytoplankton nutrient limitation reveals high prevalence of co-limitation
Nutrient availability limits phytoplankton growth throughout much of the global ocean. Here we synthesize available experimental data to identify three dominant nutrient limitation regimes: nitrogen is limiting in the stratified subtropical gyres and in the summertime Arctic Ocean, iron is most commonly limiting in upwelling regions, and both nutrients are frequently co-limiting in regions in between the nitrogen and iron limited systems. Manganese can be co-limiting with iron in parts of the Southern Ocean, whilst phosphate and cobalt can be co-/serially limiting in some settings. Overall, an analysis of experimental responses showed that phytoplankton net growth can be significantly enhanced through increasing the number of different nutrients supplied, regardless of latitude, temperature, or trophic status, implying surface seawaters are often approaching nutrient co-limitation. Assessments of nutrient deficiency based on seawater nutrient concentrations and nutrient stress diagnosed via molecular biomarkers showed good agreement with experimentally-assessed nutrient limitation, validating conceptual and theoretical links between nutrient stoichiometry and microbial ecophysiology.
Browning, T.J.
0158e7b6-6096-4b75-a8a7-2b2f0b8b59e0
Moore, Christopher
7ec80b7b-bedc-4dd5-8924-0f5d01927b12
17 August 2023
Browning, T.J.
0158e7b6-6096-4b75-a8a7-2b2f0b8b59e0
Moore, Christopher
7ec80b7b-bedc-4dd5-8924-0f5d01927b12
Browning, T.J. and Moore, Christopher
(2023)
Global analysis of ocean phytoplankton nutrient limitation reveals high prevalence of co-limitation.
Nature Communications, 14 (1), [5014].
(doi:10.1038/s41467-023-40774-0).
Abstract
Nutrient availability limits phytoplankton growth throughout much of the global ocean. Here we synthesize available experimental data to identify three dominant nutrient limitation regimes: nitrogen is limiting in the stratified subtropical gyres and in the summertime Arctic Ocean, iron is most commonly limiting in upwelling regions, and both nutrients are frequently co-limiting in regions in between the nitrogen and iron limited systems. Manganese can be co-limiting with iron in parts of the Southern Ocean, whilst phosphate and cobalt can be co-/serially limiting in some settings. Overall, an analysis of experimental responses showed that phytoplankton net growth can be significantly enhanced through increasing the number of different nutrients supplied, regardless of latitude, temperature, or trophic status, implying surface seawaters are often approaching nutrient co-limitation. Assessments of nutrient deficiency based on seawater nutrient concentrations and nutrient stress diagnosed via molecular biomarkers showed good agreement with experimentally-assessed nutrient limitation, validating conceptual and theoretical links between nutrient stoichiometry and microbial ecophysiology.
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Browning and moore 2023
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Accepted/In Press date: 9 August 2023
Published date: 17 August 2023
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Funding Information:
We thank Georgina Vickery for assisting with initial literature review and data extraction. T.J.B. acknowledges co-funding by the European Union (ERC, Ocean Glow, 101041453). Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Council. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
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© 2023, Springer Nature Limited.
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Local EPrints ID: 481627
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/481627
ISSN: 2041-1723
PURE UUID: 0532ce32-208d-427a-97bd-22edb2b287ed
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Date deposited: 05 Sep 2023 16:38
Last modified: 06 Jun 2024 01:38
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T.J. Browning
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