Environmental Controls of Thaumarchaeota Populations in Southeastern Coastal Waters

仲夏时节，塔乌马考古塔的开花是美国东南沿海水域微生物群落动态的一个常规特征。塔乌马考古塔是中上层开阔海洋环境中丰富的古生物类型。这些水华似乎对氮的地球化学循环产生了重大影响，因为它们导致氨氧化与亚硝酸盐氧化和反硝化暂时分离，并可能导致强大的温室气体一氧化二氮的产生增加。为了进一步了解这些水华，佐治亚大学的研究人员将进行一个采样程序，结合实验操作和基因转录分析，以确定控制水华动态的因素。这项研究的结果将加强在沿海地区模拟氮循环的努力。广泛的影响：这项研究将为本科生、研究生和博士后提供微生物地球化学方面的科学培训。研究人员还将与GCE-LTER合作，聘请当地K-12教师，将科学研究融入他们的课堂。

Mid-summer blooms of Thaumarchaeota, an abundant type of Archaea in meso-pelagic, open ocean environments, are a regular feature of microbial community dynamics in Southeastern U.S. coastal waters. These blooms appear to have significant consequences for the nitrogen geochemical cycle as they result in the temporary uncoupling of ammonia oxidation from nitrite oxidation and denitrification, and may cause enhanced production of the powerful greenhouse gas nitrous oxide. In order to further understanding of these blooms, researchers from the University of Georgia will conduct a sampling program coupled with experimental manipulations and analyses of gene transcription to identify the factors controlling the dynamics of the bloom. Results from this study will enhance efforts to model nitrogen cycling through the coastal zone.Broader Impacts: This study will provide scientific training to undergraduate, graduate, and post-doctoral students on microbial geochemistry. The researchers will also engage local K-12 teachers in collaboration with the GCE-LTER to integrate scientific research into their classrooms.