Using stable isotope ratios to estimate atmospheric nitrogen fixed by cyanobacteria at the ecosystem scale. Issue 3 (1st April 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Woodland, Ryan J.; Cook, Perran L. M.
• Is Part Of: Ecological applications. Volume 24:Issue 3(2014)
• Page Start: 539
• Page End: 547
• Publication Date: 2014-04-01
• Subjects: blue-green algae -- diazotrophy -- estuary -- nitrogen fixation -- nutrient budget -- nutrients -- spatial ecology; Ecology -- Periodicals; Environmental protection -- Periodicals; Biology, Economic -- Periodicals; 577.05
• DOI: 10.1890/13-0947.1
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1051-0761

Abstract

Abstract : Diazotrophic cyanobacteria are capable of fixing atmospheric N2 to satisfy their physiological nitrogen requirements. This process can result in the transfer of substantial amounts of "new" diazotrophic nitrogen (ND ) to aquatic ecosystems during blooms of these taxa. Using in situ measurements of plankton natural abundance stable isotope composition and a combination of underway and fixed site survey data, the total ND flux into the Gippsland Lakes estuary (Australia) was estimated during a summer bloom of the diazotrophic cyanobacterium Nodularia spumigena . Over the course of the bloom, ND increased in the upper water column of the estuary from 33% ± 17% (mean ± SD) to 73% ± 13% of the standing pool of total particulate N. A conservative estimate of total ND flux (146 Mg) equates to an estimated 177% of the summer total N load and 22% of the annual total N load to the estuary. Combining natural abundance stable isotope measurements with relatively simple fixed and underway survey designs can provide a cost‐effective approach for monitoring the ND flux into estuary or lacustrine environments. This approach relies on an isotopic differential between the diazotrophic and the non‐diazotrophic components of the plankton community; it may not be appropriate in ecosystems that experience low‐level blooms or blooms of intermittent N‐fixing cyanobacteria. Large‐scale blooms of diazotrophic cyanobacteria are considered uncommon in estuaries, yet it is clear that these blooms can represent major sources of new N to estuarine ecosystems when and where they occur.