SUBPROJECT - B4

 

N losses and nutrient regeneration in oxygen minimum zone waters

Oxygen minimum zones (OMZ) play a crucial role in regulating the availability of nutrient nitrogen (N) and are important sources of the climate relevant trace gas nitrous oxide (N₂O) in the oceans. This project aims to investigate the effects of oxygen (O₂) concentration on nutrient regeneration, N-loss, N₂O-production and N₂-fixation in OMZ waters. Rates of N-cycling processes are determined at in situ conditions as well at various controlled O₂-concentrations, and the microorganisms involved are identified using molecular biological techniques. The results enhance our understanding of the impact of low O₂ conditions and potential future changes on the Ocean's nutrient inventory.

 

 

Contact:
Prof. Ruth Schmitz-Streit                  Prof. Marcel Kuypers                        PD Dr. Hermann Bange
Tel.: +49 431 880 4334                     Tel.: +49 421 2028 647                     Tel.: +49 431 600 4204
rschmitz(a)gpi.uni-kiel.de                  mkuypers(a)mpi-bremen.de             hbange(a)geomar.de