Diatom carbon export enhanced by silicate upwelling in the northeast Atlantic

John T. Allen (), Louise Brown, Richard Sanders, C. Mark Moore, Alexander Mustard, Sophie Fielding, Mike Lucas, Michel Rixen, Graham Savidge, Stephanie Henson and Dan Mayor
Additional contact information
John T. Allen: National Oceanography Centre
Louise Brown: National Oceanography Centre
Richard Sanders: National Oceanography Centre
C. Mark Moore: National Oceanography Centre
Alexander Mustard: National Oceanography Centre
Sophie Fielding: National Oceanography Centre
Mike Lucas: National Oceanography Centre
Michel Rixen: NATO Undersea Research Centre
Graham Savidge: Queen's University of Belfast Marine Laboratory
Stephanie Henson: National Oceanography Centre
Dan Mayor: National Oceanography Centre

Nature, 2005, vol. 437, issue 7059, 728-732

Abstract: Abstract Diatoms are unicellular or chain-forming phytoplankton that use silicon (Si) in cell wall construction. Their survival during periods of apparent nutrient exhaustion enhances carbon sequestration in frontal regions of the northern North Atlantic. These regions may therefore have a more important role in the ‘biological pump’ than they have previously been attributed1, but how this is achieved is unknown. Diatom growth depends on silicate availability, in addition to nitrate and phosphate2,3, but northern Atlantic waters are richer in nitrate than silicate4. Following the spring stratification, diatoms are the first phytoplankton to bloom2,5. Once silicate is exhausted, diatom blooms subside in a major export event6,7. Here we show that, with nitrate still available for new production, the diatom bloom is prolonged where there is a periodic supply of new silicate: specifically, diatoms thrive by ‘mining’ deep-water silicate brought to the surface by an unstable ocean front. The mechanism we present here is not limited to silicate fertilization; similar mechanisms could support nitrate-, phosphate- or iron-limited frontal regions in oceans elsewhere.

Date: 2005
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DOI: 10.1038/nature03948

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