SMAST Seminar - DEOS - "Exploring the conundrum of nitrogen fixation in coastal marine sediments (and beyond)" By: Robinson W. 'Wally' Fulweiler
When: Wednesday,
November 20, 2024
12:30 PM
-
1:30 PM
Where: > See description for location
Description: Department of Estuarine and Ocean Sciences
"Exploring the conundrum of nitrogen fixation in coastal marine sediments (and beyond)"
Robinson W. 'Wally' Fulweiler
Professor, Boston University
Wednesday, November 20, 2024
12:30pm-1:30pm
SMAST E 101-102 and via Zoom
Abstract:
Nitrogen fixation is an essential process in the global nitrogen cycling providing biologically usable nitrogen to the biosphere. While much work has focused on quantifying the rates and importance of nitrogen in terrestrial and ocean environments, nitrogen fixation in marine sediments is largely unconstrained. There are a variety of reasons for this e.g., it is logistically challenging and expensive to measure, some widely used methodologies introduce significant error, and the paradigm has long been that nitrogen fixation is simply not an important process in these environments. Research over the last two decades however demonstrate that nitrogen fixation frequently occurs in sediments from fresh to euhaline habitats. Further, nitrogen fixation rates can be on par with and even exceed rates of sediment denitrification. Despite mounting evidence these data are often met with skepticism- why would microbes, seemingly bathed in ammonium, conduct this energetically expensive process? In contrast to this viewpoint, I urge us to think more broadly about the how and why of nitrogen fixation in sediments. I will focus on what we currently know about nitrogen fixation in coastal environments and present possible reasons for its occurrence in unexpected locations. Additionally, I will highlight results of an ongoing research coordination effort focused on synthesizing rates of nitrogen fixation across aquatic landscapes (from inland waters to continental shelves). Finally, I will provide an updated global estimate of aquatic nitrogen fixation and discuss the role of benthic nitrogen fixation in the ocean nitrogen budget.
Join the Zoom
Note: Meeting passcode required, email contact below to receive
https://umassd.zoom.us/j/97440069270
To request the Zoom passcode, or for any other questions, please email Callie Rumbut at c.rumbut@umassd.edu
"Exploring the conundrum of nitrogen fixation in coastal marine sediments (and beyond)"
Robinson W. 'Wally' Fulweiler
Professor, Boston University
Wednesday, November 20, 2024
12:30pm-1:30pm
SMAST E 101-102 and via Zoom
Abstract:
Nitrogen fixation is an essential process in the global nitrogen cycling providing biologically usable nitrogen to the biosphere. While much work has focused on quantifying the rates and importance of nitrogen in terrestrial and ocean environments, nitrogen fixation in marine sediments is largely unconstrained. There are a variety of reasons for this e.g., it is logistically challenging and expensive to measure, some widely used methodologies introduce significant error, and the paradigm has long been that nitrogen fixation is simply not an important process in these environments. Research over the last two decades however demonstrate that nitrogen fixation frequently occurs in sediments from fresh to euhaline habitats. Further, nitrogen fixation rates can be on par with and even exceed rates of sediment denitrification. Despite mounting evidence these data are often met with skepticism- why would microbes, seemingly bathed in ammonium, conduct this energetically expensive process? In contrast to this viewpoint, I urge us to think more broadly about the how and why of nitrogen fixation in sediments. I will focus on what we currently know about nitrogen fixation in coastal environments and present possible reasons for its occurrence in unexpected locations. Additionally, I will highlight results of an ongoing research coordination effort focused on synthesizing rates of nitrogen fixation across aquatic landscapes (from inland waters to continental shelves). Finally, I will provide an updated global estimate of aquatic nitrogen fixation and discuss the role of benthic nitrogen fixation in the ocean nitrogen budget.
Join the Zoom
Note: Meeting passcode required, email contact below to receive
https://umassd.zoom.us/j/97440069270
To request the Zoom passcode, or for any other questions, please email Callie Rumbut at c.rumbut@umassd.edu
Contact: > See Description for contact information
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