Collaborative Research: Biogeochemical Dynamics of Phosphorus in the Coastal Ocean: A Combined Observational, Experimental, and Ecosystem Modeling Study

尽管海洋磷是一种重要的营养物质，但与碳(C)和氮(N)相比，海洋磷(P)循环的分布和动态特征很差。鉴于最近的工作表明，磷可能限制各种海洋系统的初级生产，以及沿海海洋对全球生产和碳出口的巨大贡献，了解沿海系统中磷的生物地球化学和生物有效性的动态是至关重要的。这项由夏威夷大学、俄勒冈州立大学和伍兹霍尔海洋研究所的科学家联合开展的多学科研究利用了美国国家科学基金会和OCE先前在俄勒冈州海岸所资助的研究成果，将对上升流主导的俄勒冈州海岸上的C-N-P循环进行综合评估。具体地说，他们将量化水柱颗粒的磷形态，量化DOP的分子量分布和不同分子量类别的生物有效性，量化颗粒和溶解C：N：P随水深的变化，并将这一独特的综合数据集整合到基于磷的、耦合的循环/生态系统模型中，以检验关于磷动态、磷生物有效性和磷胁迫/限制的基本假设。这一综合努力将最终形成一个以磷为基础的生态系统模型，这将使我们对海洋磷循环以及沿海海洋的生物、生物地球化学和生态系统过程的理解取得重大进展。在更广泛的影响方面，所有三名女性科学家都将为代表不足的群体的学生提供建议和教学。他们还将与一家小型教育公司合作创建一个互动学习练习。他们的虚拟世界将吸引女孩(8-14岁)参与科学和数学活动，从而使数百万儿童接触到科学研究和沿海海洋生态系统。此外，对上升流系统中C-N-P耦合动力学的新见解具有社会影响，特别是考虑到最近的发现，由于俄勒冈州沿海水域的缺氧和可能与全球变暖有关的死区的发展，生态系统受到了破坏。

Despite its role as a vital nutrient, the distribution and dynamics of the marine phosphorus (P) cycle are poorly characterized compared to those of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N). Given recent work suggesting that P may limit primary production in various oceanic regimes, and the large contribution of the coastal ocean to global production and C-export, it is essential to understand dynamics of P biogeochemistry and bioavailability in coastal systems. Taking advantage of prior NSF-OCE funded work off the coast of Oregon, this multi-disciplinary effort by scientists from the University of Hawaii, Oregon State University, and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, will result in a comprehensive evaluation of coupled C-N-P cycling on the upwelling-dominated Oregon coast. Specifically, they will quantify P-speciation of water column particulates, quantify molecular weight distribution of DOP and bioavailability of different molecular weight classes, quantify changes in particulate and dissolved C:N:P with water depth and integrate this uniquely comprehensive data set into a P-based, coupled circulation/ecosystem model to test fundamental hypotheses concerning P-dynamics, P-bioavailability, and P-stress/limitation. The synthetic effort will culminate in a P-based ecosystem model that will result in significant advances in our understanding of marine P-cycling, as well as in biological, biogeochemical, and ecosystem processes in the coastal ocean. In terms of broader impacts, all three female scientists will advise and teach students from under-represented groups. They will also create an interactive learning exercise in collaboration with a small educational company. Their virtual world will engage girls (ages 8-14) in science and math activities and so expose millions of children to scientific inquiry and the coastal ocean ecosystem. In addition, new insights into coupled C-N-P dynamics in upwelling systems have societal impact, particularly in view of recent findings of a compromised ecosystem due to hypoxia and development of a dead zone' in coastal Oregon waters, possibly linked to global warming.