Elevated iron to nitrogen recycling by mesozooplankton in the Northeast Atlantic Ocean

Sari L. C. Giering, Sebastian Steigenberger, Eric P. Achterberg, Richard Sanders, Daniel J. Mayor

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Low dissolved iron (DFe) concentrations limit primary production in most high-nutrient low-chlorophyll (HNLC) regions. Increased recycling of iron (Fe) relative to nitrogen (N) by zooplankton may help to sustain phytoplankton production in these conditions. We concurrently determined rates of DFe and ammonium (NH4) recycling by natural mesozooplankton communities in HNLC conditions of the Northeast Atlantic. NH4 excretion remained constant and ranged between 14.2-54.1nmol NH4 mg dry weight h-1. Fe recycling ranged between 6-138 pmol DFe mg dry weight h-1 during the first hour and decreased thereafter, reflecting the transition from the loss of phytoplankton-derived Fe to basal DFe excretion. Mesozooplankton-driven nutrient recycling was estimated to support 6-59% and <1-13% of the respective phytoplankton requirements for DFe and N; DFe:N regeneration ratios were 5-26 times larger than those required by phytoplankton. Our data suggest that Fe recycling by grazing organisms has the potential to reduce the intensity of HNLC conditions.
Original languageEnglish
Article numberL12608
Number of pages5
JournalGeophysical Research Letters
Volume39
Issue number12
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2012

Keywords

  • HNLC
  • iron and nitrogen recycling
  • stoichiometry
  • zooplankton

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