On the variation of alkalinity during phytoplankton photosynthesis

The alkalinity of the organic constituents of marine phytoplankton and their participation in the total alkalinity (TA) change of seawater during photosynthesis are carefully assessed. Quantification of the contribution of phytoplankton chlorophyll, proteins and phosphorus compounds to the hydrogen...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Fraga, F, Álvarez-Salgado, XA
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2005
País:México
Institución:UNIVERSIDAD AUTÓNOMA DE BAJA CALIFORNIA
Repositorio:Ciencias Marinas
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:cienciasmarinas.com.mx:article/26
Acceso en línea:https://www.cienciasmarinas.com.mx/index.php/cmarinas/article/view/26
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:total alcalinity
carbon cycling
phytoplankton
primary production
mineralization
alcalinidad total
ciclo del carbono
fitoplancton
producción primaria
mineralización
Descripción
Sumario:The alkalinity of the organic constituents of marine phytoplankton and their participation in the total alkalinity (TA) change of seawater during photosynthesis are carefully assessed. Quantification of the contribution of phytoplankton chlorophyll, proteins and phosphorus compounds to the hydrogen ion balance of seawater in terms of total inorganic nitrogen (∆[NT] = ∆NH4 +] + ∆[N2] + ∆[NO2–] + ∆[NO3–]) and total inorganic phosphorus (∆[PT]) changes during photosynthesis yielded that the organic components of marine phytoplankton are alkaline by –0.06 ×  ∆[NT] – 0.49 × ∆[PT], and that the potential total alkalinity (TAP) during photosynthesis is TAP = TA – [NH4– + 0.93 × [NO2–] + [NO3–] + 0.08 × [NT] + 0.23 × [PT] for unfiltered seawater samples and TAP = TA – [NH4–] + 0.93 × [NO2–] + [NO3–] + 0.02 × [NT] + 0.26 × [PT] for filtered seawater samples. These equations correct the traditionally used expression TAP = TA + [NO3–]. The TAP anomalies are produced, in order of increasing importance, by N2 fixation, DMSP production and CaCO3 fixation.