Spatial variation in N 2 -fixation rate and diazotroph activity in the Tropical Atlantic
International audience A variety of N 2 -fixers occur in the tropical Atlantic and these diazotrophs make a substantial contribution to the nitrogen budget of the upper water column. A synthesis of previously published and novel rate measurements for the Tropical North Atlantic provides insight into...
Main Authors: | , , |
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Other Authors: | , , , |
Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
Language: | English |
Published: |
HAL CCSD
2006
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Subjects: | |
Online Access: | https://hal.science/hal-00297855 https://hal.science/hal-00297855/document https://hal.science/hal-00297855/file/bgd-3-1739-2006.pdf |
Summary: | International audience A variety of N 2 -fixers occur in the tropical Atlantic and these diazotrophs make a substantial contribution to the nitrogen budget of the upper water column. A synthesis of previously published and novel rate measurements for the Tropical North Atlantic provides insight into the role of two different diazotroph groups in supporting N 2 fixation in the tropical Atlantic. The overall rate of N 2 -fixation by the two groups of diazotrophs was similar in the eastern and western parts of the basin, but N 2 -fixation by \textit{Trichodesmium} was strongly dominant in the western part of the basin while small diazotrophs played a much larger role to the east of 40° W. The reasons for this shift in dominance are unclear, as is the identity of the small organisms fixing N 2 in the water column. |
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