Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2001

DOI

10.1029/2000jc000446

Publication Title

Journal of Geophysical Research-Oceans

Volume

106

Issue

C12

Pages

31585-31595

Abstract

Shipboard bottle incubation experiments were performed to investigate the effects of iron, light, and silicate on algal production of particulate dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSPp) in the Subantarctic Zone (SAZ) south of Tasmania during March 1998. Iron enrichment resulted in threefold to ninefold increases in DMSPp concentrations relative to control treatments, following 7 and 8-day incubation experiments. Additions of Fe and Si preferentially stimulated the growth of lightly-silicified pennate diatoms and siliceous haptophytes, respectively, to which we attribute the increased DMSPp production in the incubation bottles. Both of these algal groups were previously believed to be low DMSPp producers; however, our experimental data suggest that addition of iron and silicate to the low-silicate low-iron waters of the SAZ will result in increased production of DMSPp by lightly silicified diatoms and siliceous haptophytes, respectively. Increased irradiance enhanced DMSPp production in iron-amended treatments with both low (0.5 nM) and high (5 nM) concentrations of added iron. However, the role of light in stimulating DMSPp production was apparently of secondary importance compared to the effects of iron addition. The combination of high irradiance and high iron enrichment produced the highest DMSPp production in the experiments, suggesting that iron and light may have a synergistic effect in limiting algal DMSPp production in subantarctic waters.

Original Publication Citation

DiTullio, G.R., Sedwick, P.N., Jones, D.R., Boyd, P.W., Crossley, A.C., & Hutchins, D.A. (2001). Effects of iron, silicate, and light on dimethylsulfoniopropionate production in the Australian subantarctic zone. Journal of Geophysical Research-Oceans, 106(C12), 31585-31595. doi: 10.1029/2000jc000446

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