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Marine Ecology Progress Series

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MEPS 374:7-12 (2009)  -  DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps07771

Nitrogen fixation in the western English Channel (NE Atlantic Ocean)

Andrew P. Rees1,*, Jack A. Gilbert1, Boris A. Kelly-Gerreyn2

1Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Prospect Place, The Hoe, Plymouth PL1 3DH, UK
2National Oceanography Centre, Waterfront Campus, European Way, Southampton SO14 3ZH, UK

ABSTRACT: In temperate Atlantic waters (18.8 to 20.1°C), biological nitrogen fixation has been demonstrated by 2 independent measurements: 15N-N2 incorporation and nifH identification in the DNA and expressed messenger RNA (mRNA). At 2 stations in the western English Channel, bulk waters were incubated with 15N-N2. At the high levels of particulate nitrogen (≤11.5 µmol N l–1), absolute fixation rates of 18.9 ± 0.01 and 20.0 nmol N l–1d–1 were determined. While a caveat must accompany the magnitude of the rates presented due to the limited number of data, the presence and activity of diazotrophic organisms in these waters is of ecological significance and may affect current attitudes to nitrogen and carbon budgets. In particular, our estimate of the rate of N fixation (0.35 mmol N m–2 d–1) is comparable to that of denitrification rates in UK shelf seas. Molecular analysis identified a diversity of expressed nifH genes, and 21 different prokaryotic nifH transcripts were identified.


KEY WORDS: Temperate Atlantic · Nitrogen fixation · Diazotrophy · nifH · Western English Channel


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Cite this article as: Rees AP, Gilbert JA, Kelly-Gerreyn BA (2009) Nitrogen fixation in the western English Channel (NE Atlantic Ocean). Mar Ecol Prog Ser 374:7-12. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps07771

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