Collaborative Research: Iron-light Co-limitation in the Deep Chlorophyll Maximum of Stratified Oceanic Regimes

来自斯克里普斯海洋研究所、夏威夷大学和斯基德韦海洋研究所的研究人员计划测试这一假说，即最大叶绿素深度(DCM)的铁光共限制是海洋分层真光带的一个普遍特征，也是对浮游植物群落组成和大小结构的重要控制。三种不同类型的DCM将被研究：中养型、相对浅的最大值、较深的、基于每细胞叶绿素的DCM特征，以及在热带北太平洋东部氧/亚缺氧边界下方发现的原氯球菌最大值。为了实现他们的目标，科学家们将在巡航期间执行以下任务：(1)表征水柱参数，包括基本水文、营养物质分布、铁浓度和形态、浮游植物群落结构、初级生产力和光合作用效率；(2)在三种类型的DCMS上进行共限制孵化实验；(3)确定微浮游植物的细胞分裂和捕食率。至于更广泛的影响，研究人员计划通过利用本科生研究经验合作整合研究和教育计划补充资金，从加州大学圣地亚哥分校和萨凡纳州立大学等历史悠久的黑人学院或大学招募本科生。一名来自加利福尼亚州的科学教师和一名来自佐治亚州的教师将被要求使用教师研究经验的补充资金参与研究巡航。这两位教师将根据他们的实地经验编写教材。作为这项研究的一部分，加州大学圣地亚哥分校的一名研究生、夏威夷大学的一名研究生和斯基德韦海洋研究所的一名研究生将接受培训和支助。

Researchers from Scripps Institute of Oceanography, the University of Hawaii, and Skidaway Institute of Oceanography plan to test the hypothesis that iron-light co-limitation at the deep chlorophyll maxima (DCM) is a widespread feature of oceanic stratified euphotic zones, and an important control on phytoplankton community composition and size structure. Three different types of DCM will be investigated: mesotrophic, relatively shallow maxima, deeper, chlorophyll per cell based DCM characteristic of oligotrophic gyres, and the Prochlorococcus maximum found just below the oxic/suboxic boundary in the Eastern Tropical North Pacific. To attain their goals, the scientists will carry out the following tasks during the cruises: (1) characterize water column parameters including basic hydrography, nutrient distributions, iron concentration and speciation, phytoplankton community structure, and primary productivity and photosynthetic efficiency; (2) conduct co-limitation incubation experiments at the three types of DCMs; and (3) determine picoplankton cell division and grazing rates. As regards broader impacts, the researchers plan to recruit undergraduates from both the University of California-San Diego and from an historically black college or university such as Savannah State University via the Collaborations in Integrating Research and Education Program using Research Experience for Undergraduates supplemental funds. A science teacher from California and one from Georgia will be asked to participate in research cruises using supplemental funds from Research Experiences for Teachers. Both teachers will be expected to produce educational materials based on their field experiences. One graduate student from the University of California-San Diego, one from the University of Hawaii and one from Skidaway Institute of Oceanography will be trained and supported as part of this study.