TH33D:
A Global Database of Diazotrophs and N2 Fixation in the World’s Ocean

Session ID#: 92075

Session Description:
The biological N­2 fixation conducted by diazotrophs provides an important source of new nitrogen to marine ecosystems, regulating primary productivity and ultimately the Earth’s climate. The database of diazotrophs compiled by Luo et al. (2012) has been extremely valuable to evaluate controlling factors on the distribution of diazotrophs and N2 fixation and to validate biogeochemical models. Since publication of the database, the number of observations has rapidly expanded, with new data collected in aphotic, coastal and polar waters, challenging the traditionally recognized niches of diazotrophy. In light of such progress, updating the database of diazotrophs in the world’s oceans represents a timely effort.

To that end, we propose a town hall meeting to initiate the development of a living database on marine diazotrophy and an online visualization website, and to seek feedback from the community. This town hall meeting will include short presentations of recent advances in marine N2 fixation studies (e.g. broadened diazotrophs biogeography and methodological development), followed by an open discussion about what to add in the new database, data visualization, timeline, collaborative efforts and steps forward. We welcome participation from ocean scientists interested in observing and modeling marine diazotrophs.

Co-Sponsor(s):
  • AI - Air-Sea Interactions
  • ME - Marine Ecology and Biodiversity
  • MM - Microbiology and Molecular Ecology
  • OB - Ocean Biology and Biogeochemistry
Primary Contact:  Weiyi Tang, Duke University, Nicholas School of the Environment, Durham, NC, United States; Princeton University, Department of Geosciences, Princeton, United States
Presenters:  Weiyi Tang, Duke University, Nicholas School of the Environment, Durham, NC, United States, Julie Granger, University of Connecticut, Marine Sciences, Groton, United States, Margaret R Mullholland, Old Dominion University, Ocean and Earth Sciences, Norfolk, VA, United States and Pia Moisander, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, Department of Biology, North Dartmouth, MA, United States

Abstracts Submitted to this Session:

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