Collaborative Research: Biogeochemical Dynamics of Phosphorus in the Coastal Ocean: A Combined Observational, Experimental, and Ecosystem Modeling Study

尽管磷是一种重要的营养物质，但与碳和氮相比，海洋磷循环的分布和动态特征很差。鉴于最近的工作表明，P可能会限制在各种海洋制度的初级生产，以及沿海海洋对全球生产和C-出口的巨大贡献，它是必不可少的，以了解在沿海系统的P-地球化学和生物利用度的动态。利用之前NSF-OCE资助的俄勒冈州海岸工作，夏威夷大学，俄勒冈州立大学和伍兹霍尔海洋研究所的科学家们的多学科努力，将导致对耦合的C-N-P循环的全面评估上升主导的俄勒冈州海岸。具体而言，他们将量化水柱颗粒物的P-形态，量化DOP的分子量分布和不同分子量类别的生物利用度，量化颗粒物和溶解C：N：P随水深的变化，并将这一独特的综合数据集整合到基于P的耦合循环/生态系统模型中，以测试有关P-动力学，P-生物利用度和P-应力/限制的基本假设。综合的努力将最终在一个基于磷的生态系统模型，这将导致我们对海洋磷循环的理解，以及在沿海海洋的生物，地球化学和生态系统过程的显着进步。就更广泛的影响而言，所有三位女科学家都将为来自代表性不足群体的学生提供建议和教学。 他们还将与一家小型教育公司合作创建一个互动学习练习。 他们的虚拟世界将吸引女孩（8-14岁）参与科学和数学活动，从而使数百万儿童接触科学探究和沿海海洋生态系统。此外，在上升流系统耦合C-N-P动力学的新见解具有社会影响，特别是鉴于最近的研究结果，由于缺氧和沿海俄勒冈州沃茨的“死区”的发展，可能与全球变暖的生态系统受损。

Despite its role as a vital nutrient, the distribution and dynamics of the marine phosphorus (P) cycle are poorly characterized compared to those of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N). Given recent work suggesting that P may limit primary production in various oceanic regimes, and the large contribution of the coastal ocean to global production and C-export, it is essential to understand dynamics of P biogeochemistry and bioavailability in coastal systems. Taking advantage of prior NSF-OCE funded work off the coast of Oregon, this multi-disciplinary effort by scientists from the University of Hawaii, Oregon State University, and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, will result in a comprehensive evaluation of coupled C-N-P cycling on the upwelling-dominated Oregon coast. Specifically, they will quantify P-speciation of water column particulates, quantify molecular weight distribution of DOP and bioavailability of different molecular weight classes, quantify changes in particulate and dissolved C:N:P with water depth and integrate this uniquely comprehensive data set into a P-based, coupled circulation/ecosystem model to test fundamental hypotheses concerning P-dynamics, P-bioavailability, and P-stress/limitation. The synthetic effort will culminate in a P-based ecosystem model that will result in significant advances in our understanding of marine P-cycling, as well as in biological, biogeochemical, and ecosystem processes in the coastal ocean. In terms of broader impacts, all three female scientists will advise and teach students from under-represented groups. They will also create an interactive learning exercise in collaboration with a small educational company. Their virtual world will engage girls (ages 8-14) in science and math activities and so expose millions of children to scientific inquiry and the coastal ocean ecosystem. In addition, new insights into coupled C-N-P dynamics in upwelling systems have societal impact, particularly in view of recent findings of a compromised ecosystem due to hypoxia and development of a 'dead zone' in coastal Oregon waters, possibly linked to global warming.