Collaborative Research: Nitrate Flux Associated with Vertically Migrating Phytoplankton in the Central North Pacific Gyre

9423471 Pilskaln这项提议将解决生物海洋学格式中的一个基本问题，他的观点是，在公海垂直迁徙的藻席有助于北太平洋表层水域内氮的重新分配。利用以前资助的SHIFTIME，该项目将记录丝状根霉在上层100-300米的垂直分布、N的定量输入以及北太平洋环流中部的垫子在表层释放NO3-的潜力。这项研究将通过这些宏观关联来表征起源深度、迁移时间和绝对传输率，并确定其他环境浮游植物是否吸收了由垫子腐烂释放的NO3-。此外，这项研究还将调查其他可能是垂直迁徙的浮游植物，如网纹盘藻、焦囊藻属、盐生藻属和单胞藻，以确定它们是否也是这一过程的重要组成部分。在研究结束时，该项目将检查夏威夷东部和西部的北太平洋环流中部水域。这将导致对北太平洋环流海域浮游植物垂直迁徙的重要性有广泛的空间认识。

9423471 Pilskaln This proposal will address a fundamental problem in biological oceanography format he viewpoint that vertically migrating algal mats in the open ocean are instrumental in redistributing nitrogen within the surface waters of the North Pacific Ocean. Using previously funded shiptime, the project will documents Rhizosolenia mat vertical distribution throughout the upper 100-300 m, the quantitative N inputs, and potential for NO3-release in the surface layers by mats in the central North Pacific gyre. The research will characterize depth of origin, migration times and absolute transport rates by these macroscopic associations and determine if NO3-release by mat decay is taken up by other ambient phytoplankton. In addition, the study will survey other phytoplankton that may be vertical migrators such as Ethmodiscus, Pyrocystis, Halospaera and solitary Phizosolenia to determine if they are also important components of this process. At the conclusion of the study, the project will have examined waters of the central North pacific gyre both east and west of Hawaii. This should lead to a broad spatial understanding of the importance of phytoplankton vertical migration in the oceanic waters of the North Pacific gyre.