Phospholipid synthesis rates in the eastern subtropical South Pacific Ocean

Membrane lipid molecules are a major component of planktonic organisms and this is particularly true of the microbial picoplankton that dominate the open ocean; with their high surface-area to volume ratios, the synthesis of membrane lipids places a major demand on their overall cell metabolism. Specifically, the synthesis of cell membrane phospholipids creates a demand for the nutrient phosphorus, and we sought to refine our understanding of the role of phospholipids in the upper ocean phosphorus cycle. We measured the rates of phospholipid synthesis in a transect of the eastern subtropical South Pacific from Easter Island to Concepcion, Chile as part of the BIOSOPE program. Our approach combined standard phosphorus radiotracer incubations and lipid extraction methods. We found that phospholipid synthesis rates varied from less than 1 to greater than 200 pmol P L−1 h−1, and that phospholipid synthesis contributed between less than 5% to greater than 22% of the total PO43− incorporation rate. Changes in the percentage that phospholipid synthesis contributed to total PO43− uptake were strongly correlated with the ratio of primary production to bacterial production, which supported our hypothesis that heterotrophic bacteria were the primary agents of phospholipid synthesis. The spatial variation in phospholipid synthesis rates underscored the importance of heterotrophic bacteria in the phosphorus cycle of the eastern subtropical South Pacific, particularly the hyperoligotrophic South Pacific subtropical gyre

Growth and specific P-uptake rates of bacterial and phytoplanktonic communities in the Southeast Pacific (BIOSOPE cruise)

© 2007 Author(s) et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of a Creative Commons License. The definitive version was published in Biogeosciences 4 (2007): 941-956, doi:10.5194/bg-4-941-2007Predicting heterotrophic bacteria and phytoplankton specific growth rates (μ) is of great scientific interest. Many methods have been developed in order to assess bacterial or phytoplankton μ. One widely used method is to estimate μ from data obtained on biomass or cell abundance and rates of biomass or cell production. According to Kirchman (2002), the most appropriate approach for estimating μ is simply to divide the production rate by the biomass or cell abundance estimate. Most methods using this approach to estimate μ are based on carbon (C) incorporation rates and C biomass measurements. Nevertheless it is also possible to estimate μ using phosphate (P) data. We showed that particulate phosphate (PartP) can be used to estimate biomass and that the P uptake rate to PartP ratio can be employed to assess μ. Contrary to other methods using C, this estimator does not need conversion factors and provides an evaluation of μ for both autotrophic and heterotrophic organisms. We report values of P-based μ in three size fractions (0.2–0.6; 0.6–2 and >2 μm) along a Southeast Pacific transect, over a wide range of P-replete trophic status. P-based μ values were higher in the 0.6–2 μm fraction than in the >2 μm fraction, suggesting that picoplankton-sized cells grew faster than the larger cells, whatever the trophic regime encountered. Picoplankton-sized cells grew significantly faster in the deep chlorophyll maximum layer than in the upper part of the photic zone in the oligotrophic gyre area, suggesting that picoplankton might outcompete >2 μm cells in this particular high-nutrient, low-light environment. P-based μ attributed to free-living bacteria (0.2-0.6 μm) and picoplankton (0.6–2 μm) size-fractions were relatively low (0.11±0.07 d−1 and 0.14±0.04 d−1, respectively) in the Southeast Pacific gyre, suggesting that the microbial community turns over very slowly.This research was funded by the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), the Institut des Sciences de l’Univers (INSU), the Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales (CNES), the European Space Agency (ESA), The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). This work is funded in part by the French Research and Education council

Phosphate availability and the ultimate control of new nitrogen input by nitrogen fixation in the tropical Pacific Ocean

International audienceDue to the low atmospheric input of phosphate into the open ocean, it is one of the key nutrients that could ultimately control primary production and carbon export into the deep ocean. The observed trend over the last 20 years has shown a decrease in the dissolved inorganic phosphate (DIP) pool in the North Pacific gyre, which has been correlated to the increase in di-nitrogen (N2) fixation rates. Following a NW-SE transect, in the Southeast Pacific during the early austral summer (BIOSOPE cruise), we present data on DIP, dissolved organic phosphate (DOP) and particulate phosphate (PP) pools along with DIP turnover times (TDIP) and N2 fixation rates. We observed a decrease in DIP concentration from the edges to the centre of the gyre. Nevertheless the DIP concentrations remained above 100 nmol L-1 and T DIP was more than 6 months in the centre of the gyre; DIP availability remained largely above the level required for phosphate limitation to occur and the absence of Trichodesmium spp and low nitrogen fixation rates were likely to be controlled by other factors such as temperature or iron availability. This contrasts with recent observations in the North Pacific Ocean at the ALOHA station and in the western Pacific Ocean at the same latitude (DIAPALIS cruises) where lower DIP concentrations (-1) and T DIP 2 fixation rates and possibly carbon dioxide sequestration, if the primary ecophysiological controls, temperature and/or iron availability, were alleviated

Deep silicon maxima in the stratified oligotrophic Mediterranean Sea

The silicon biogeochemical cycle has been studied in the Mediterranean Sea during late summer/early autumn 1999 and summer 2008. The distribution of nutrients, particulate carbon and silicon, fucoxanthin (Fuco), and total chlorophyll-<i>a</i> (TChl-<i>a</i>) were investigated along an eastward gradient of oligotrophy during two cruises (PROSOPE and BOUM) encompassing the entire Mediterranean Sea during the stratified period. At both seasons, surface waters were depleted in nutrients and the nutriclines gradually deepened towards the East, the phosphacline being the deepest in the easternmost Levantine basin. Following the nutriclines, parallel deep maxima of biogenic silica (DSM), fucoxanthin (DFM) and TChl-<i>a</i> (DCM) were evidenced during both seasons with maximal concentrations of 0.45 μmol L<sup>−1</sup> for BSi, 0.26 μg L<sup>−1</sup> for Fuco, and 1.70 μg L<sup>−1</sup> for TChl-<i>a</i>, all measured during summer. Contrary to the DCM which was a persistent feature in the Mediterranean Sea, the DSM and DFMs were observed in discrete areas of the Alboran Sea, the Algero-Provencal basin, the Ionian sea and the Levantine basin, indicating that diatoms were able to grow at depth and dominate the DCM under specific conditions. Diatom assemblages were dominated by <i>Chaetoceros</i> spp., <i>Leptocylindrus</i> spp., <i>Pseudonitzschia</i> spp. and the association between large centric diatoms (<i>Hemiaulus hauckii</i> and <i>Rhizosolenia styliformis</i>) and the cyanobacterium <i>Richelia intracellularis</i> was observed at nearly all sites. The diatom's ability to grow at depth is commonly observed in other oligotrophic regions and could play a major role in ecosystem productivity and carbon export to depth. Contrary to the common view that Si and siliceous phytoplankton are not major components of the Mediterranean biogeochemistry, we suggest here that diatoms, by persisting at depth during the stratified period, could contribute to a large part of the marine primary production as observed in other oligotrophic areas

Effect of elevated PCO2 on optical properties of the coccolithophorid Emiliania huxleyi grown under nitrate limitation

Side scatter and red fluorescence properties of the coccolithophore Emiliania huxleyi were investigated by flow cytometry when NO3-limited continuous cultures were submitted to a CO2 partial pressure (pCO2) increase from 400 to 700 ppm. Cultures renewed at the rate of 0.5 d-1 and were submitted to saturating light level. pCO2 was controlled by bubbling CO2-rich or CO2- free air in the cultures. Most of the analyses were repeated 5 times and the average SD were < 1.6%, 0.1 and 0.2% for counting, fluorescence and side scatter respectively. Considering the possible decalcification induced by the increase of CO2 in the chemostat atmosphere, the maximum variation that can be expected for side scatter is that provided by the coccolith depletion upon acidification of the cell suspension. The acidification induced a large (36%) decrease of the side scatter signal but had no detectable effect on the red fluorescence. A control was run with a non-calcifying species, Dunaliella tertiolecta, where acidification induced no detectable change, both on fluorescence and side scatter. During the time of the experiment, the decline of side scatter in chemostat 1 never approached the potential 36% change observed when coccoliths are fully dissolved. Interestingly, the specific chl a fluorescence of E. huxleyi slightly increased during the period of high CO2 level. At the end of the experiment this increase amounted to a significant 2.8% of the initial signal. Furthermore, it progressed linearly with time over the period of observation. However, the experiment did not last enough to know if the fluorescence increase had already reached its maximum value. The acidification experiment supported the use of side scatter as a relevant parameter to trace potential changes in calcification. Since the estimated 25% decrease in calcification induced by the rise in CO2 atmosphere did not result in dramatic changes in side scatter values, we can conclude that the number of cocoliths and the overall shape and granulosity of cells was not significantly affected by this decrease. Changes must have only affected tiny structure details of the coccoliths which is supported by scanning electron microscopy observations. The small but significant increase of the fluorescence signal can be considered as a physiological response to the CO2 rise. This suggests a more dynamic photosynthetic process that would result in a higher rate of organic matter production providing that the system is not nutrient limited as in the present situation

Silicon cycle in the tropical South Pacific: contribution to the global Si cycle and evidence for an active pico-sized siliceous plankton

This article presents data regarding the Si biogeochemical cycle during two oceanographic cruises conducted in the tropical South Pacific (BIOSOPE and OUTPACE cruises) in 2005 and 2015. It involves the first Si stock measurements in this understudied region, encompassing various oceanic systems from New Caledonia to the Chilean upwelling between 8 and 34°&thinsp;S. Some of the lowest levels of biogenic silica standing stocks ever measured were found in this area, notably in the southern Pacific gyre, where Chlorophyll a concentrations are the most depleted worldwide. Integrated biogenic silica stocks are as low as 1.08±0.95&thinsp;mmol&thinsp;m−2 and are the lowest stocks measured in the South Pacific. Size-fractionated biogenic silica concentrations revealed a non-negligible contribution of the pico-sized fraction (&lt;2–3&thinsp;µm) to biogenic silica standing stocks, representing 26% ± 12% of total biogenic silica during the OUTPACE cruise and 11% ± 9% during the BIOSOPE cruise. These results indicate significant accumulation in this size class, which was undocumented for 2005, but has since then been related to Si uptake by Synechococcus cells. Si uptake measurements carried out during BIOSOPE confirmed biological Si uptake by this size fraction. We further present diatoms community structure associated with the stock measurements for a global overview of the Si cycle in the tropical South Pacific.</p

Hydrologie et environnement

Des expérimentation menées sur des modèles-colonnes de milieu poreux, se focalisant sur des études de lessivage du corps d'imprégnation formé par des mélanges d'hydrocarbures et sur des essais de propagation de leurs parties solubles, ont été réalisées au laboratoire. Il est montré que les comportement des hydrocarbures en solution pendant le lessivage est fonction de la nature de la source de pollution, et que le transport des traces solubles d'alcanes est fortement freiné par les effets de l'échange liquide-gaz masquant les propriétés absorbantes de la matrice solide, ou pouvant entraîner une modification du processus de sorption des hydrocarbures par la phase solide. La solubililté n'est pas un critère suffisant pour expliquer la dissolution sélective et progressive des constituants d'un corps d'imprégnation formé par un mélange de plusieurs espèces d'hydrocarbures, et, lors du transport des matières solides d'une telle source de contamination, l'influence des paramètres solubilité, constante de Henri et coefficient de distribution doivent être pris en compte simultanément pour étudier leur rétention sélective. (Résumé d'auteur

Hydrologie et environnement

Des expérimentation menées sur des modèles-colonnes de milieu poreux, se focalisant sur des études de lessivage du corps d'imprégnation formé par des mélanges d'hydrocarbures et sur des essais de propagation de leurs parties solubles, ont été réalisées au laboratoire. Il est montré que les comportement des hydrocarbures en solution pendant le lessivage est fonction de la nature de la source de pollution, et que le transport des traces solubles d'alcanes est fortement freiné par les effets de l'échange liquide-gaz masquant les propriétés absorbantes de la matrice solide, ou pouvant entraîner une modification du processus de sorption des hydrocarbures par la phase solide. La solubililté n'est pas un critère suffisant pour expliquer la dissolution sélective et progressive des constituants d'un corps d'imprégnation formé par un mélange de plusieurs espèces d'hydrocarbures, et, lors du transport des matières solides d'une telle source de contamination, l'influence des paramètres solubilité, constante de Henri et coefficient de distribution doivent être pris en compte simultanément pour étudier leur rétention sélective. (Résumé d'auteur

Silicon cycle in the NW Mediterranean Sea: seasonal study of a coastal oligotrophic site

A study of the biogeochemical cycle of silicon has been conducted in the Gulf of Lion (NW Mediterranean) from September 1999 to September 2000. Most of the year the study site was under the influence of the NW Mediterranean Current, characterized by oligotrophic conditions. A seasonal pattern of silicon stocks was found, showing an inverse annual distribution of biogenic silica and lithogenic silica. Biogenic silica integrated stocks were higher during spring and summer (21.5 and 19.3 mmol m(-2)) due to siliceous phytoplankton Si uptake and build-up of biomass. By contrast lithogenic silica integrated stocks were highest during the fall and winter (61.8 and 45.0 mmol m(-2)), which may be explained by a higher degree of turbulence of the water column, inducing sediment resuspension. Phytoplankton counts showed that the relative contribution of diatoms to microphytoplankton at the chlorophyll a maximum averaged 5 1 % during the study period. Si uptake rates, measured in situ from March to September 2000, were low (Sigma rhoSi = 0.14-1.4 mmol Si m(-2) d(-1)) throughout the study period. Potential Si limitation of siliceous phytoplankton in the course of spring bloom development was evidenced both by Si enrichment kinetics, yielding relatively high K(S) values (3.46 and 4.97 muM), and by nutrient distributions, exhibiting Si exhaustion over the entire water column by mid-April. The annual integrated Si production rate amounted to 0.14 mol Si m(-2) per year, one of the lowest rates reported to date, and the diatom contribution to annual carbon primary production was estimated to range between 24 and 36%. The silicon cycle at the NW Mediterranean site was similar to that observed in other oligotrophic open-ocean systems in terms of stocks, annual Si production rates, and the relative contribution of diatoms to phytoplanktonic primary production

Silica fluxes in the northeast Atlantic frontal zone of Mode Water formation (38 degrees-45 degrees N, 16 degrees-22 degrees W) in 2001-2002

International audience[ 1] The biogenic (BSi) and lithogenic (LSi) silica export fluxes were investigated in the northeast Atlantic (38 degrees - 45 degrees N, 16 degrees - 22 degrees W) as part of the Programme Ocean Multidisciplinaire Meso Echelle (POMME) program in 2001 - 2002. They were measured at four stations located on both sides of a frontal zone (40 degrees - 42 degrees N) by means of permanent moorings of sediment traps deployed at 400 and 1000 m depth. Averaged over the area, the annual BSi fluxes ( corrected from Th-230 trapping efficiencies) ranged between 0.240 mmol m(-2) d(-1) at 400 m to 0.316 mmol m(-2) d(-1) at 1000 m. The bulk annual BSi fluxes are comparable to bulk BSi export fluxes recorded for oligotrophic areas. The annual export flux of LSi ( range 0.029 mmol m(-2) d(-1) at 400 m to 0.054 mmol m(-2) d(-1) at 1000 m) was lower than BSi and accounted for 10% of the total silica export flux. Results show a strong coupling between the two siliceous particulate fractions, which is interpreted as reflecting LSi scavenging by BSi and limitation of BSi production in surface water by lithogenic ( trace metals) inputs. BSi export was maximum at the beginning of the productive season during the spring bloom. However, annual BSi export fluxes in 2001 were quite higher at 400 m in the southern area ( e. g., 0.249 - 0.288 at the southeast station versus 0.211 mmol BSi m(-2) d(-1) at the northeast station) contradictory to the classical south-north surface production increase. We suggest an advective lateral transport within the upper 400 m of siliceous particles from the northern, more productive area to the southern region