The September 29th issue of Nature highlights research by Thomas Weber and Curtis Deutsch. Using an ocean circulation model and measured concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus in the water column, the researchers showed that the molecular ratio of nitrogen to phosphorus is determined by both ocean circulation and regional differences in species composition of the plankton community. The results suggest that future projections of environmental change may have a profound impact on these processes, and affect the ratio and associated carbon sequestration.

This research is funded in part by a grant to the UCLA Department of Atmospheric and Ocean Sciences from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation’s Marine Microbiology Initiative.

Read more:

http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v467/n7315/full/nature09403.html