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威海洋研究所的研究人员计划验证铁光在深叶绿素最大值（DCM）处的共同限制是海洋分层光带的普遍特征，也是浮游植物群落组成和大小结构的重要控制因素。将研究三种不同类型的DCM：中营养型、相对较浅的最大值、较深的、基于每细胞叶绿素的低营养环流特征的DCM，以及在热带北太平洋东部氧/亚氧边界下方发现的原绿球藻最大值。为了实现这一目标，科学家们将在巡航期间开展以下任务：(1)表征水柱参数，包括基本水文、营养分布、铁浓度和物种、浮游植物群落结构、初级生产力和光合效率；(2)对三种dcm进行共限孵育实验；(3)确定浮游生物细胞分裂和放牧速率。至于更广泛的影响，研究人员计划从加州大学圣地亚哥分校和历史上的黑人学院或大学（如萨凡纳州立大学）招募本科生，通过利用本科生研究经验补充基金整合研究和教育项目的合作。一名来自加州的科学教师和一名来自乔治亚州的科学教师将被要求使用教师研究经验的补充资金参加研究巡航。两位教师都将根据他们的实地经验编写教材。一名来自加州大学圣地亚哥分校的研究生、一名来自夏威夷大学的研究生和一名来自斯基德威海洋学研究所的研究生将作为本研究的一部分接受培训和支持。

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.