The role of heterotrophic bacteria in iron-limited ocean ecosystems

摘要: IRON availability limits phytoplankton growth in large areas of the world's oceans1–3 and may influence strength biological carbon pump4,5. Very little is known iron requirements oceanic heterotrophic bacteria, which constitute up to 50% total particulate organic open ocean waters6,7 are important cycling as remineralizers dissolved matter hence producers CO2 (ref. 8). Here we report that bacteria contain more per biomass than phytoplankton. In subarctic Pacific, they a fraction biogenic account for 20–45% uptake. Bacterial quotas field similar those iron-deficient laboratory cultures, exhibit reduced elec-tron transport, slow growth, low efficiency. Heterotrophic therefore play major role biogeo-chemical iron. situ limitation metabolism have profound effects on flux ocean.