Nature Communications (Mar 2018)

Ambient nitrate switches the ammonium consumption pathway in the euphotic ocean

  • Xianhui Sean Wan,
  • Hua-Xia Sheng,
  • Minhan Dai,
  • Yao Zhang,
  • Dalin Shi,
  • Thomas W. Trull,
  • Yifan Zhu,
  • Michael W. Lomas,
  • Shuh-Ji Kao

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-018-03363-0
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 9, no. 1
pp. 1 – 9

Abstract

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The underlying regulatory mechanisms of phytoplankton assimilation and microbial oxidation of ammonium in the surface ocean are unclear. Here, using isotope labeling experiments, the authors show that ambient nitrate is a key variable bifurcating ammonium flow through assimilation or oxidation.