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Hydrodynamic regimes modulate nitrogen fixation and the mode of diazotrophy in Lake Tanganyika

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  • Benedikt Ehrenfels

    (Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Department Surface Waters – Research and Management
    ETH Zurich, Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics)

  • Kathrin B. L. Baumann

    (Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Department Surface Waters – Research and Management
    ETH Zurich, Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics)

  • Robert Niederdorfer

    (Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Department Surface Waters – Research and Management)

  • Athanasio S. Mbonde

    (TAFIRI, Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute)

  • Ismael A. Kimirei

    (TAFIRI, Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute
    TAFIRI, Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute)

  • Thomas Kuhn

    (University of Basel, Department of Environmental Sciences)

  • Paul M. Magyar

    (University of Basel, Department of Environmental Sciences)

  • Daniel Odermatt

    (Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Department Surface Waters – Research and Management)

  • Carsten J. Schubert

    (Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Department Surface Waters – Research and Management
    ETH Zurich, Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics)

  • Helmut Bürgmann

    (Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Department Surface Waters – Research and Management)

  • Moritz F. Lehmann

    (University of Basel, Department of Environmental Sciences)

  • Bernhard Wehrli

    (Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Department Surface Waters – Research and Management
    ETH Zurich, Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics)

  • Cameron M. Callbeck

    (Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Department Surface Waters – Research and Management
    University of Basel, Department of Environmental Sciences)

Abstract

The factors that govern the geographical distribution of nitrogen fixation are fundamental to providing accurate nitrogen budgets in aquatic environments. Model-based insights have demonstrated that regional hydrodynamics strongly impact nitrogen fixation. However, the mechanisms establishing this physical-biological coupling have yet to be constrained in field surveys. Here, we examine the distribution of nitrogen fixation in Lake Tanganyika – a model system with well-defined hydrodynamic regimes. We report that nitrogen fixation is five times higher under stratified than under upwelling conditions. Under stratified conditions, the limited resupply of inorganic nitrogen to surface waters, combined with greater light penetration, promotes the activity of bloom-forming photoautotrophic diazotrophs. In contrast, upwelling conditions support predominantly heterotrophic diazotrophs, which are uniquely suited to chemotactic foraging in a more dynamic nutrient landscape. We suggest that these hydrodynamic regimes (stratification versus mixing) play an important role in governing both the rates and the mode of nitrogen fixation.

Suggested Citation

  • Benedikt Ehrenfels & Kathrin B. L. Baumann & Robert Niederdorfer & Athanasio S. Mbonde & Ismael A. Kimirei & Thomas Kuhn & Paul M. Magyar & Daniel Odermatt & Carsten J. Schubert & Helmut Bürgmann & Mo, 2023. "Hydrodynamic regimes modulate nitrogen fixation and the mode of diazotrophy in Lake Tanganyika," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-13, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:14:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-023-42391-3
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42391-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Wei-Lei Wang & J. Keith Moore & Adam C. Martiny & François W. Primeau, 2019. "Convergent estimates of marine nitrogen fixation," Nature, Nature, vol. 566(7743), pages 205-211, February.
    2. Cameron M. Callbeck & Benedikt Ehrenfels & Kathrin B. L. Baumann & Bernhard Wehrli & Carsten J. Schubert, 2021. "Anoxic chlorophyll maximum enhances local organic matter remineralization and nitrogen loss in Lake Tanganyika," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-11, December.
    3. Grover, James P. & Scott, J. Thad & Roelke, Daniel L. & Brooks, Bryan W., 2022. "Competitive superiority of N-fixing cyanobacteria when fixed N is scarce: Reconsiderations based on a model with heterocyst differentiation," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 466(C).
    4. Curtis Deutsch & Jorge L. Sarmiento & Daniel M. Sigman & Nicolas Gruber & John P. Dunne, 2007. "Spatial coupling of nitrogen inputs and losses in the ocean," Nature, Nature, vol. 445(7124), pages 163-167, January.
    5. Juan José Pierella Karlusich & Eric Pelletier & Fabien Lombard & Madeline Carsique & Etienne Dvorak & Sébastien Colin & Marc Picheral & Francisco M. Cornejo-Castillo & Silvia G. Acinas & Rainer Pepper, 2021. "Global distribution patterns of marine nitrogen-fixers by imaging and molecular methods," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-18, December.
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