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The influence of ocean acidification on phytotransferrin-mediated iron uptake rates in phytoplankton

Project description

Ocean acidification impact on marine phytoplankton

Phytoplankton play a central role in ocean and freshwater ecosystems. The ability of phytoplankton to access the micronutrient iron means they can fuel marine ecosystems and biogeochemical cycles, and impact world climate. Recent studies in the model diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum suggest high-affinity iron uptake employs a highly sensitive ocean acidification carbonate-dependent phytotransferrin. The EU-funded IRONBIND project will demonstrate and extend the hypothesis that ocean acidification negatively impacts the development of marine phytoplankton with this carbonate-dependent mechanism. The project will describe the effect of acidification on iron uptake rates, combine reverse genetics with environmental validation to confirm the results, and integrate the chemical, biological and rate-constant data into large-scale biogeochemical ocean general circulation models.

Objective

The ability of phytoplankton to access the micronutrient iron fuels vast marine ecosystems, drives biogeochemical cycles and influences climate on a planetary scale. Recent studies in the model diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum have revealed that high-affinity iron uptake uses a carbonate-dependent phytotransferrin which is highly sensitive to ocean acidification. This project seeks to validate and extend the hypothesis that ocean acidification negatively affects the growth of marine phytoplankton by interfering with this carbonate sensitive uptake mechanism. The influence of acidification on iron uptake rates will be characterized in a number of environmentally relevant and phylogenetically diverse strains of phytoplankton, and results will be confirmed using a combination of reverse genetics and environmental validation. The resulting chemical, biological and rate-constant data will be integrated into large-scale biogeochemical Ocean General Circulation Models, which will allow us to place these results into ecological context. This project will transfer cutting-edge molecular techniques and genomic analyses to the host institution while training the experienced researcher in key analytical and biogeochemical modeling methods. Capacity-building courses in project management and opportunities for communication are planned to further develop the future potential of the researcher. Because of the outsized role that iron-limited phytoplankton have in biogeochemical cycles and the sequestration of carbon dioxide, the multidisciplinary outputs of this action are expected to be of high impact and broad interest to a wide array of disciplines, including biogeochemists, climate modelers, policy makers and resource managers.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Funding Scheme

MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF

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Call for proposal

(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2018

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Coordinator

ALFRED-WEGENER-INSTITUT HELMHOLTZ-ZENTRUM FUR POLAR- UND MEERESFORSCHUNG
Net EU contribution
€ 87 403,20
Address
AM HANDELSHAFEN 12
27570 Bremerhaven
Germany
Region
Bremen Bremen Bremerhaven, Kreisfreie Stadt
Activity type
Research Organisations
Links
Total cost
€ 87 403,20