Environmental Controls of Thaumarchaeota Populations in Southeastern Coastal Waters

Thaumarchaeota是一种在中层远洋开放海洋环境中丰富的海洋微生物，其仲夏水华是美国东南部沿海沃茨微生物群落动态的一个常规特征。这些水华似乎对氮的地球化学循环产生重大影响，因为它们导致氨氧化与亚硝酸盐氧化和反硝化作用暂时脱钩，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，来自格鲁吉亚大学的研究人员将进行一项采样计划，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。从这项研究的结果将加强努力，通过沿海地区的氮循环模型。更广泛的影响：这项研究将提供科学的培训，本科生，研究生和博士后的微生物地球化学。研究人员还将让当地K-12教师与GCE-LTER合作，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.