An Investigation of Mechanisms for the Formation of Methane in the Upper Ocean

这项研究将探讨甲烷的机制 在上层水柱中形成。 溶存甲烷 海洋上层的剖面通常具有以下特征： 地下最大值 这一最大值通常与 密度跃层和甲烷浓度都过饱和 相对于大气平衡。 甲烷峰值有 与生物和化学物质数量的峰值相关， 包括ATP、叶绿素、浮游动物和颗粒物等参数 浓度的 本研究将具体调查 浮游动物摄食在甲烷产生中的作用。 浮游动物将被喂食放射性标记的藻类， 标记为甲烷生产。 还将制定方法， 饲料浮游动物个体标记的化合物， 甲烷的特定前体。 这些研究将导致 更好地了解好氧水中的厌氧过程 专栏，提供有关消化过程的信息， 浮游动物的内脏，并增加我们的循环知识， 甲胺和其他C-1化合物。

This research will investigate the mechanisms of methane formation in the upper water column. Dissolved methane profiles in the upper ocean are frequently characterized by a subsurface maximum. This maximum commonly coincides with the pycnocline and methane concentrations there are supersaturated with respect to atmospheric equilibrium. Methane peaks have been correlated with peaks in number of biological and chemical parameters including ATP, chlorophyll, zooplankton and particle concentrations. This study will specifically investigate the role of zooplankton feeding in the production of methane. Zooplankton will be fed with radio labelled algae and measure labelled methane production. Methods will also be developed to feed zooplankton individual labeled compounds which may be specific precursors of methane. The studies will lead to a better understanding of anaerobic processes in the oxic water column, provide information on digestive processes in zooplankton guts, and increase our knowledge of the cycling of methylamines and other C-1 compounds in seawater.