University of Tasmania
Browse
114803 final.pdf (1.4 MB)

Enzyme-level interconversion of nitrate and nitrite in the fall mixed layer of the Antarctic Ocean

Download (1.4 MB)
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-19, 02:31 authored by Kemeny, PC, Weigand, MA, Zhang, R, Carter, BR, Karsh, KL, Fawcett, SE, Sigman, DM
In the Southern Ocean, the nitrogen (N) isotopes of organic matter and the N and oxygen (O) isotopes of nitrate (NO3) have been used to investigate NO3 assimilation and N cycling in the summertime period of phytoplankton growth, both today and in the past. However, recent studies indicate the significance of processes in other seasons for producing the annual cycle of N isotope changes. This study explores the impact of fall conditions on the 15N/14N (δ15N) and 18O/16O (δ18O) of NO3 and nitrite (NO2) in the Pacific Antarctic Zone using depth profiles from late summer/fall of 2014. In the mixed layer, the δ15N and δ18O of NO3 + NO2 increase roughly equally, as expected for NO3 assimilation; however, the δ15N of NO3-only (measured after NO2 removal) increases more than does NO3-only δ18O. Differencing indicates that NO2 has an extremely low δ15N, often < −70‰ versus air. These observations are consistent with the expression of an equilibrium N isotope effect between NO3 and NO2, likely due to enzymatic NO3-NO2 interconversion. Specifically, we propose reversibility of the nitrite oxidoreductase (NXR) enzyme of nitrite oxidizers that, having been entrained from the subsurface during late summer mixed layer deepening, are inhibited by light. Our interpretation suggests a role for NO3-NO2 interconversion where nitrifiers are transported into environments that discourage NO2 oxidation. This may apply to surface regions with upwelling, such as the summertime Antarctic. It may also apply to oxygen-deficient zones, where NXR-catalyzed interconversion may explain previously reported evidence of NO2 oxidation.

History

Publication title

Global Biogeochemical Cycles

Volume

30

Issue

7

Pagination

1069-1085

ISSN

0886-6236

Department/School

Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies

Publisher

Amer Geophysical Union

Place of publication

2000 Florida Ave Nw, Washington, USA, Dc, 20009

Rights statement

©2016. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved.

Repository Status

  • Open

Socio-economic Objectives

Effects of climate change on Antarctic and sub-Antarctic environments (excl. social impacts)

Usage metrics

    University Of Tasmania

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC