Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/bgd-9-18479-2012
https://doi.org/10.5194/bgd-9-18479-2012
18 Dec 2012
 | 18 Dec 2012
Status: this preprint was under review for the journal BG but the revision was not accepted.

Abiotic ammonification and gross ammonium photoproduction in the upwelling system off central Chile (36° S)

A. Rain-Franco, C. Muñoz, and C. Fernandez

Abstract. We investigated the production of ammonium via photodegradation of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in the coastal upwelling system off central Chile (36° S). Photoammonification experiments were carried out using exudates obtained from representative diatom species (Chaetoceros muelleri and Thalassiosira minuscule) and natural marine DOM under simulated solar radiation conditions. Additionally, we evaluated the use of photoproduced ammonium by natural microbial communities and separated ammonium oxidizing archaea and bacteria by using GC-7 as an inhibitor of the archaeal community. We found photoammonification operating at two levels: via the transformation of DOM by UV radiation (abiotic ammonification) and via the simultaneous occurrence of abiotic phototransformation and biological remineralization of DOM into NH4+ (referred as gross photoproduction of NH4+). The maximum rates of abiotic ammonification reached 0.057 μmol L−1 h−1, whereas maximum rates of gross photoproduction reached 0.746 μmol L−1 h−1. Our results also suggest that ammonium oxidizing archaea could dominate the biotic remineralization induced by photodegradation of organic matter and consequently play an important role in the local N cycle. Abiotic ammonium photoproduction in coastal upwelling systems could support between 7 and 50% of the spring-summer phytoplankton NH4+ demand. Surprisingly, gross ammonium photoproduction (remineralization induced by abiotic ammonification) might support 50 to 180% of spring-summer phytoplankton NH4+ assimilation.

A. Rain-Franco, C. Muñoz, and C. Fernandez
 
Status: closed
Status: closed
AC: Author comment | RC: Referee comment | SC: Short comment | EC: Editor comment
Printer-friendly Version - Printer-friendly version Supplement - Supplement
 
Status: closed
Status: closed
AC: Author comment | RC: Referee comment | SC: Short comment | EC: Editor comment
Printer-friendly Version - Printer-friendly version Supplement - Supplement
A. Rain-Franco, C. Muñoz, and C. Fernandez
A. Rain-Franco, C. Muñoz, and C. Fernandez

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