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Diatom fucan polysaccharide precipitates carbon during algal blooms

Author

Listed:
  • Silvia Vidal-Melgosa

    (Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology
    University of Bremen, Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, MARUM)

  • Andreas Sichert

    (Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology
    University of Bremen, Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, MARUM)

  • T. Ben Francis

    (Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology)

  • Daniel Bartosik

    (University of Greifswald
    Institute of Marine Biotechnology)

  • Jutta Niggemann

    (University of Oldenburg, Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment)

  • Antje Wichels

    (Biologische Anstalt Helgoland)

  • William G. T. Willats

    (Newcastle University, School of Natural and Environmental Sciences)

  • Bernhard M. Fuchs

    (Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology)

  • Hanno Teeling

    (Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology)

  • Dörte Becher

    (University of Greifswald)

  • Thomas Schweder

    (University of Greifswald
    Institute of Marine Biotechnology)

  • Rudolf Amann

    (Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology)

  • Jan-Hendrik Hehemann

    (Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology
    University of Bremen, Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, MARUM)

Abstract

The formation of sinking particles in the ocean, which promote carbon sequestration into deeper water and sediments, involves algal polysaccharides acting as an adhesive, binding together molecules, cells and minerals. These as yet unidentified adhesive polysaccharides must resist degradation by bacterial enzymes or else they dissolve and particles disassemble before exporting carbon. Here, using monoclonal antibodies as analytical tools, we trace the abundance of 27 polysaccharide epitopes in dissolved and particulate organic matter during a series of diatom blooms in the North Sea, and discover a fucose-containing sulphated polysaccharide (FCSP) that resists enzymatic degradation, accumulates and aggregates. Previously only known as a macroalgal polysaccharide, we find FCSP to be secreted by several globally abundant diatom species including the genera Chaetoceros and Thalassiosira. These findings provide evidence for a novel polysaccharide candidate to contribute to carbon sequestration in the ocean.

Suggested Citation

  • Silvia Vidal-Melgosa & Andreas Sichert & T. Ben Francis & Daniel Bartosik & Jutta Niggemann & Antje Wichels & William G. T. Willats & Bernhard M. Fuchs & Hanno Teeling & Dörte Becher & Thomas Schweder, 2021. "Diatom fucan polysaccharide precipitates carbon during algal blooms," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-13, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:12:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-021-21009-6
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-21009-6
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    Cited by:

    1. Flora Vincent & Matti Gralka & Guy Schleyer & Daniella Schatz & Miguel Cabrera-Brufau & Constanze Kuhlisch & Andreas Sichert & Silvia Vidal-Melgosa & Kyle Mayers & Noa Barak-Gavish & J. Michel Flores , 2023. "Viral infection switches the balance between bacterial and eukaryotic recyclers of organic matter during coccolithophore blooms," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-17, December.
    2. Carla Pérez-Cruz & Alicia Moraleda-Montoya & Raquel Liébana & Oihana Terrones & Uxue Arrizabalaga & Mikel García-Alija & Maier Lorizate & Ana Martínez Gascueña & Isabel García-Álvarez & Jon Ander Niet, 2024. "Mechanisms of recalcitrant fucoidan breakdown in marine Planctomycetota," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-24, December.
    3. Miranda C. Mudge & Michael Riffle & Gabriella Chebli & Deanna L. Plubell & Tatiana A. Rynearson & William S. Noble & Emma Timmins-Schiffman & Julia Kubanek & Brook L. Nunn, 2025. "Harmful algal blooms are preceded by a predictable and quantifiable shift in the oceanic microbiome," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-14, December.

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