Collaborative Research: Benthic Microalgal Regulation of Carbon and Nitrogen Turnover in Land Margin Ecosystems: A Dual Stable Isotope Tracer Approach

沿海生态系统中的营养物污染导致生境退化，称为富营养化。营养物质助长水柱藻华，这些藻华沉入沉积物，分解，并将营养物质循环回水柱，在那里它们进一步加强了藻华。沉积物和上覆水之间营养物质的持续循环支持慢性富营养化。这项拟议的研究调查了微小的沉积藻类是如何减弱这种循环的。研究人员假设沉积物微藻通过拦截（封盖）沉积物-水营养交换来调节水质。该提案调查了封盖是如何运作的，它的效率，是什么导致封盖在富营养化系统中失效，以及如何恢复封盖。研究人员提出了一套独特的化学示踪剂应用于现场和实验室实验来回答这些问题。这项工作的重点是原始和富营养化的中大西洋栖息地。这项研究将提供对沿海生态系统功能的更好理解，并改进对人类干扰和/或恢复工作的栖息地响应的预测。这种性质的工作对于确定易受人类干扰的栖息地和建立营养负荷的调节目标至关重要。这项工作的更广泛影响包括广泛的教育内容和公共宣传。调查人员将指导高中生和本科生，培训研究生，并为传统上代表性不足的群体提供机会。这项研究整合了公民团体的参与，并创建了一个传播信息的公共论坛。总的来说，这一努力有助于加强对沿海资源的管理。

Nutrient pollution in coastal ecosystems causes habitat degradation termed eutrophication. Nutrients fuel water column algal blooms which sink to the sediments, decompose, and recycle nutrients back to the water column where they enhance further algal blooms. Continued recycling of nutrients between sediments and overlying water supports chronic eutrophication. The proposed research investigates how microscopic sediment-dwelling algae might attenuate this recycling. The investigators hypothesize that sediment microalgae regulate water quality by intercepting (capping) sediment-water nutrient exchange. The proposal investigates how the cap functions, its efficiency, what causes the cap to fail in eutrophied systems, and how it can be restored. Investigators propose a unique suite of chemical tracers applied in field and laboratory experiments to answer these questions. The work focuses on pristine and eutrophied Mid-Atlantic habitats. This research will provide a better understanding of coastal ecosystem function, and improve predictions of habitat response to human perturbation and/or restoration efforts. Work of this nature is essential for identifying habitats susceptible to human disturbance, and establishing regulatory targets for nutrient loading. Broader impacts of the work include extensive educational components and public outreach. Investigators will mentor high school and undergraduate students, train graduate students, and provide opportunities for traditionally underrepresented groups. The research integrates participation of citizen groups, and creates a public forum for disseminating information. In total, this effort facilitates enhanced stewardship of coastal resources.