Redox Cycling of Phosphorus in the Western North Atlantic Ocean

北大西洋西部海洋中磷的氧化还原循环[j] . Van momoj . [j]: 1536 - 346 .了解浮游生物的生长控制因素是化学海洋学的一项重要工作，浮游生物对二氧化碳的封存起着至关重要的作用。磷是海洋浮游生物的必需元素，近一个世纪以来一直是化学海洋学的研究热点。然而，在整个海洋中，磷的氧化还原循环速率几乎是完全未知的，而且海水中磷酸盐（磷酸盐的一种形式）的特定分子特性也没有得到阐明。这个项目将探索和完善磷的生物循环的全新途径。该项目将通过资助一名研究生的博士研究、继续开展K-12课堂实验模块和在研究者实验室接待6-8年级科学博览会参与者来支持教学和学习。海洋学家从未认为磷是一种在水柱中会发生化学氧化还原反应的元素，而且人们认为磷只以+5价态存在于磷酸盐等化合物中。然而，在过去的17年中，大量的地球化学和基因组信息显示，+3价态（P(+3)）的磷，特别是溶解的膦酸盐化合物，可能在开阔的海洋浮游生物群落中起着非常重要的作用。在像马尾藻海这样的少营养环流中尤其如此，在那里浮游植物的生长可能受到磷酸盐缺乏的限制。为了更好地理解这些新数据，研究人员将设计并执行一项研究计划，包括海上化学海洋学实验、最先进的色谱法和质谱法，以及33p标记的P（+3）化合物的新型有机合成。具体来说，他们将回答有关低分子量P（+3）化合物的生产和消耗速度，磷酸盐可用性对P（+3）化合物的生产和消耗的影响，以及利用低分子量P（+3）化合物的浮游植物群的问题。这个项目的结果有可能有助于改变我们对海洋磷循环的理解。

Redox Cycling of Phosphorus in the Western North Atlantic OceanBenjamin Van MooyID: 1536346Understanding controls on the growth of plankton in the upper ocean, which plays an essential role in the sequestration of carbon dioxide, is an important endeavor for chemical oceanography. Phosphorus is an essential element for marine plankton, and has been a research focus of chemical oceanography for nearly a century. Yet, phosphorus redox cycling rates are almost completely unknown throughout the ocean, and the specific molecular identities of the phosphonates, a form of phosphate, in seawater have defied elucidation. This project will explore and refine entirely new pathways for the biological cycling of phosphorus. This project will support teaching and learning by funding the PhD research of a graduate student, and through the continuation of conducting K-12 classroom laboratory modules and hosting 6-8th grade science fair participants in the investigator's lab.Phosphorus has never been viewed by oceanographers as an element that actively undergoes chemical redox reactions in the water column, and it was believed to occur only in the +5 valence state, in compounds such as phosphate. However, over the last 17 years, numerous lines of geochemical and genomic information have emerged to show that phosphorus in the +3 valence state (P(+3)), particularly dissolved phosphonate compounds, may play a very important role within open ocean planktonic communities. This is particularly true in oligotrophic gyres such as the Sargasso Sea, where growth of phytoplankton can be limited by the scarcity of phosphate. To better understand these new data, the investigators will design and execute a research program that spans at-sea chemical oceanographic experimentation, state-of-the-art chromatography and mass spectrometry, and novel organic synthesis of 33P-labeled P(+3) compounds. Specifically, they will answer questions about rates of production and consumption of low molecular weight P(+3) compounds, the impact of phosphate availability on the production and consumption of P(+3) compounds, and the groups of phytoplankton that utilize low molecular weight P(+3) compounds. Results of this project have the potential to contribute to the transformation of our understanding of the marine phosphorus cycle.