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

沿海生态系统的营养物质污染导致栖息地退化，称为富营养化。营养物质为水柱藻类水华提供燃料，藻类水华沉入沉积物，分解，并将营养物质循环回到水柱，在那里它们进一步促进藻类水华。沉积物和上覆水之间营养物质的持续循环支持了长期的富营养化。这项拟议的研究调查了栖息在沉积物中的微小藻类如何削弱这种循环。研究人员假设，沉积物微藻通过拦截(封顶)沉积物-水的营养交换来调节水质。该提案调查了上限如何发挥作用、其效率、在富营养化系统中导致上限失效的原因，以及如何恢复上限。研究人员提出了一套独特的化学示踪剂，应用于野外和实验室实验来回答这些问题。这项工作的重点是大西洋中部原始和富营养化的栖息地。这项研究将更好地了解海岸生态系统的功能，并改进对栖息地对人类干扰和/或恢复努力的反应的预测。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监管目标至关重要。这项工作的更广泛影响包括广泛的教育内容和公众宣传。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。该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。总体而言，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.