Hydrodynamic regimes modulate nitrogen fixation and the mode of diazotrophy in Lake Tanganyika
Benedikt Ehrenfels,
Kathrin B. L. Baumann,
Robert Niederdorfer,
Athanasio S. Mbonde,
Ismael A. Kimirei,
Thomas Kuhn,
Paul M. Magyar,
Daniel Odermatt,
Carsten J. Schubert,
Helmut Bürgmann,
Moritz F. Lehmann,
Bernhard Wehrli and
Cameron M. Callbeck ()
Additional contact information
Benedikt Ehrenfels: Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Department Surface Waters – Research and Management
Kathrin B. L. Baumann: Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Department Surface Waters – Research and Management
Robert Niederdorfer: Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Department Surface Waters – Research and Management
Athanasio S. Mbonde: TAFIRI, Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute
Ismael A. Kimirei: TAFIRI, Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute
Thomas Kuhn: University of Basel, Department of Environmental Sciences
Paul M. Magyar: University of Basel, Department of Environmental Sciences
Daniel Odermatt: Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Department Surface Waters – Research and Management
Carsten J. Schubert: Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Department Surface Waters – Research and Management
Helmut Bürgmann: Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Department Surface Waters – Research and Management
Moritz F. Lehmann: University of Basel, Department of Environmental Sciences
Bernhard Wehrli: Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Department Surface Waters – Research and Management
Cameron M. Callbeck: Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Department Surface Waters – Research and Management
Nature Communications, 2023, vol. 14, issue 1, 1-13
Abstract:
Abstract The factors that govern the geographical distribution of nitrogen fixation are fundamental to providing accurate nitrogen budgets in aquatic environments. Model-based insights have demonstrated that regional hydrodynamics strongly impact nitrogen fixation. However, the mechanisms establishing this physical-biological coupling have yet to be constrained in field surveys. Here, we examine the distribution of nitrogen fixation in Lake Tanganyika – a model system with well-defined hydrodynamic regimes. We report that nitrogen fixation is five times higher under stratified than under upwelling conditions. Under stratified conditions, the limited resupply of inorganic nitrogen to surface waters, combined with greater light penetration, promotes the activity of bloom-forming photoautotrophic diazotrophs. In contrast, upwelling conditions support predominantly heterotrophic diazotrophs, which are uniquely suited to chemotactic foraging in a more dynamic nutrient landscape. We suggest that these hydrodynamic regimes (stratification versus mixing) play an important role in governing both the rates and the mode of nitrogen fixation.
Date: 2023
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:nat:natcom:v:14:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-023-42391-3
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42391-3
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