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Unicellular cyanobacteria fix N2 in the subtropical North Pacific Ocean

Author

Listed:
  • Jonathan P. Zehr

    (University of California)

  • John B. Waterbury

    (Woods Hole Oceanographic Insitute)

  • Patricia J. Turner

    (University of California)

  • Joseph P. Montoya

    (School of Biology, Georgia Institute of Technology)

  • Enoma Omoregie

    (University of California)

  • Grieg F. Steward

    (University of California)

  • Andrew Hansen

    (School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, University of Hawaii)

  • David M. Karl

    (School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, University of Hawaii)

Abstract

Fixed nitrogen (N) often limits the growth of organisms in terrestrial and aquatic biomes1,2, and N availability has been important in controlling the CO2 balance of modern and ancient oceans3,4. The fixation of atmospheric dinitrogen gas (N2) to ammonia is catalysed by nitrogenase and provides a fixed N for N-limited environments2,5. The filamentous cyanobacterium Trichodesmium has been assumed to be the predominant oceanic N2-fixing microorganism since the discovery of N2 fixation in Trichodesmium in 1961 (ref. 6). Attention has recently focused on oceanic N2 fixation because nitrogen availability is generally limiting in many oceans, and attempts to constrain the global atmosphere–ocean fluxes of CO2 are based on basin-scale N balances7,8,9. Biogeochemical studies and models have suggested that total N2-fixation rates may be substantially greater than previously believed7,8 but cannot be reconciled with observed Trichodesmium abundances8,9. It is curious that there are so few known N2-fixing microorganisms in oligotrophic oceans when it is clearly ecologically advantageous. Here we show that there are unicellular cyanobacteria in the open ocean that are expressing nitrogenase, and are abundant enough to potentially have a significant role in N dynamics.

Suggested Citation

  • Jonathan P. Zehr & John B. Waterbury & Patricia J. Turner & Joseph P. Montoya & Enoma Omoregie & Grieg F. Steward & Andrew Hansen & David M. Karl, 2001. "Unicellular cyanobacteria fix N2 in the subtropical North Pacific Ocean," Nature, Nature, vol. 412(6847), pages 635-638, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:412:y:2001:i:6847:d:10.1038_35088063
    DOI: 10.1038/35088063
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    Cited by:

    1. Grimaud, Ghjuvan Micaelu & Rabouille, Sophie & Dron, Anthony & Sciandra, Antoine & Bernard, Olivier, 2014. "Modelling the dynamics of carbon–nitrogen metabolism in the unicellular diazotrophic cyanobacterium Crocosphaera watsonii WH8501, under variable light regimes," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 291(C), pages 121-133.
    2. Gopi Siva Sai Tiruveedula & Pramod P Wangikar, 2017. "Gene essentiality, conservation index and co-evolution of genes in cyanobacteria," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(6), pages 1-18, June.

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