Nitrogen fixation and release of fixed nitrogen by Trichodesmium spp. in the Gulf of Mexico

Abstract

During a 3‐yr study in the Gulf of Mexico, we measured dinitrogen (N 2 ) fixation and nitrogen (N) release by Trichodesmium and compared these rates with water column N demand and the estimated N necessary to support blooms of Karenia brevis , a toxic dinoflagellate that severely affects the West Florida shelf. Net and gross N 2 fixation rates were compared in simultaneous incubations using δ 15 N 2 uptake and acetylene reduction, respectively. The difference between net and gross N 2 fixation is assumed to be an approximation of the rate of N release. Results demonstrate that Trichodesmium in the Gulf of Mexico are fixing N 2 at high rates and that an average of 52% of this recently fixed N 2 is rapidly released. Calculations suggest that observed densities of Trichodesmium can provide enough N to support moderately sized K. brevis blooms. Based on other studies where δ 15 N 2 and acetylene reduction were compared directly, it appears that N release from Trichodesmium is common but varies in magnitude among environments. In addition, carbon (C) and N‐based doubling times for Trichodesmium vary among studies and environments. Comparing gross N 2 fixation and C fixation directly, C‐based doubling times exceeded N‐based doubling times, which suggests an imbalance in elemental turnover or a failure to fully quantify Trichodesmium N use.