Photosynthesis and Calcification by Blooms of the Coccolithophore Emiliania Huxleyi in the Gulf of Maine

海岸线和海岸线拍摄的海面卫星图像 区域彩色扫描仪和AVHRR显示， 颗石藻大量繁殖，特别是在缅因州湾和 北大西洋。 Emiliani huxleyi颗石藻是 可能是这些水华中的主导生物，它是 地球上最丰富的方解石生产生物。 为了 确定这些生物在全球碳排放中的作用 生产，有必要了解初级生产率 有机物和方解石的混合物 缅因州湾提供了一个 环境中，水华可以定位的AVHRR和他们的 生产动态研究。 实地研究将确定 光合作用的自然速率和开花时的钙化作用。 从水华中分离的实验室研究将建立 光、硝酸盐和铁对颗石形成的影响， 平衡钙化和光合作用。 这些花 是有机和无机碳的潜在来源， 深海，以及深海中碳的独特途径 世界海洋的地球化学循环。 %%% 海面的卫星图片经常显示 由于已知的小的单细胞生物， 颗石藻 这些表面的方解石板 生理学家对藻类细胞进行了广泛的研究 对钙化过程感兴趣。 因为盘子可以 生物体自身也能沉下去 它们提供了一种有机和无机 碳从海面转移到更深的地方。 这些生物几乎在世界上的任何地方都能找到 海洋，但在缅因州和北部的海湾特别丰富 大西洋，有时形成大的浓度或水华。 当这种情况发生时，板块本身可能会改变光 在海洋中传播，生物体可能生长得更快， 相应地慢一些。 这项研究将向我们揭示， 钙化作用是通过海洋中的这些生物发生的 以及初级有机生产 会发生 实验室研究将揭示 光、营养和铁对这些植物的生长和钙化的影响 这样我们就可以解读卫星照片， 增加对海洋中发生的过程的了解。

Satellite images of the sea surface taken by both the Coastal Zone Color Scanner and the AVHRR show widespread occurrence of coccolithophore blooms, especially in the Gulf of Maine and the North Atlantic Ocean. The coccolithophore Emiliani huxleyi is probably the dominant organism in these blooms, and it is the most abundant calcite producing organism on earth. In order to establish the role of these organisms in global carbon production, it is necessary to know rates of primary production of organic material and calcite. The Gulf of Maine provides an environment in which blooms can be located by AVHRR and their production dynamics studied. Field studies will determine natural rates of photosynthesis and calcification in the blooms. Laboratory studies on isolates from the blooms will establish the effects of light, nitrate and iron on coccolithogenesis, and the balance between calcification and photosynthesis. These blooms are a potential source of both organic and inorganic carbon to the deep-sea, and a unique pathway for carbon in the biogeochemical cycles of the world's ocean. %%% Satellite pictures of the sea surface often show areas of enhanced reflection due to small, single celled organisms known as coccolithophores. The calcite plates on the surface of these algal cells have been extensively studied by physiologists intested in calcification processes. Because the plates can be shed by the organisms, and the organisms themselves can sink in the sea, they provide a means by which both organic and inorganic carbon is transferred from the sea surface to greater depths. These organisms are found virtually everywhere in the world's ocean, but are especially abundant in the Gulf of Maine and North Atlantic Ocean, at times forming large concentrations or blooms. When this occurs, the plates themselves may alter the way light is transmitted in the sea, and the organisms may grow faster or slower accordingly. This study will reveal to us the rates at which calcification takes place via these organisms in the sea and the associated rates at which primary organic production takes place. Laboratory studies will reveal the interaction of light, nutrients and iron on growth and calcification in these organisms so that we can interpret satellite photos with increased understanding of processes taking place in the sea.