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Ambient nitrate switches the ammonium consumption pathway in the euphotic ocean

Author

Listed:
  • Xianhui Sean Wan

    (Xiamen University)

  • Hua-Xia Sheng

    (Xiamen University)

  • Minhan Dai

    (Xiamen University)

  • Yao Zhang

    (Xiamen University)

  • Dalin Shi

    (Xiamen University)

  • Thomas W. Trull

    (University of Tasmania, and CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere)

  • Yifan Zhu

    (Xiamen University)

  • Michael W. Lomas

    (Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences)

  • Shuh-Ji Kao

    (Xiamen University)

Abstract

Phytoplankton assimilation and microbial oxidation of ammonium are two critical conversion pathways in the marine nitrogen cycle. The underlying regulatory mechanisms of these two competing processes remain unclear. Here we show that ambient nitrate acts as a key variable to bifurcate ammonium flow through assimilation or oxidation, and the depth of the nitracline represents a robust spatial boundary between ammonium assimilators and oxidizers in the stratified ocean. Profiles of ammonium utilization show that phytoplankton assemblages in nitrate-depleted regimes have higher ammonium affinity than nitrifiers. In nitrate replete conditions, by contrast, phytoplankton reduce their ammonium reliance and thus enhance the success of nitrifiers. This finding helps to explain existing discrepancies in the understanding of light inhibition of surface nitrification in the global ocean, and provides further insights into the spatial linkages between oceanic nitrification and new production.

Suggested Citation

  • Xianhui Sean Wan & Hua-Xia Sheng & Minhan Dai & Yao Zhang & Dalin Shi & Thomas W. Trull & Yifan Zhu & Michael W. Lomas & Shuh-Ji Kao, 2018. "Ambient nitrate switches the ammonium consumption pathway in the euphotic ocean," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-9, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:9:y:2018:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-018-03363-0
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-03363-0
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    Cited by:

    1. Hui Shen & Xianhui S. Wan & Wenbin Zou & Minhan Dai & Min N. Xu & Shuh-Ji Kao, 2024. "Light-driven integration of diazotroph-derived nitrogen in euphotic nitrogen cycle," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, December.
    2. Xianhui S. Wan & Hua-Xia Sheng & Li Liu & Hui Shen & Weiyi Tang & Wenbin Zou & Min N. Xu & Zhenzhen Zheng & Ehui Tan & Mingming Chen & Yao Zhang & Bess B. Ward & Shuh-Ji Kao, 2023. "Particle-associated denitrification is the primary source of N2O in oxic coastal waters," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-13, December.

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