Aluminum increases net carbon fixation by marine diatoms and decreases their decomposition: Evidence for the iron–aluminum hypothesis

Abstract

AbstractRecent studies indicate that aluminum (Al) could play an important role in the ocean carbon cycle by increasing phytoplankton carbon fixation and reducing organic carbon decomposition. However, how Al may influence the decomposition of organic carbon has not yet been explicitly examined. Here we report the effects of Al on carbon fixation by marine diatoms and their subsequent decomposition. By using radiocarbon as a tracer, the carbon fixation and decomposition of three model marine diatoms were examined in Aquil* media at different concentrations (0, 40, 200, and 2000 nM) of dissolved Al. Addition of Al enhanced net carbon fixation by the diatoms in the declining growth phase (by 9%–29% for Thalassiosira pseudonana, 15%–20% for T. oceanica, 15%–23% for T. weissflogii). Under axenic conditions the decomposition rates (d−1) of the diatom‐produced particulate organic carbon (POC) significantly decreased (by 21%–57% for T. pseudonana, 0%–41% for T. oceanica, 29%–58% for T. weissflogii) in the Al‐enriched treatments. In the presence of bacteria, the decomposition rates of T. weissflogii‐produced POC were still 37%–38% lower in Al‐enriched treatments compared to the control. Significant increases in cell size, cellular carbon content (pmol C/cell) and cellular carbon density (pmol C/μm3) of T. weissflogii were also observed in the Al‐enriched treatments compared to the control. The Al‐related increase in net carbon fixation and cell size, and the decrease in POC decomposition rate may facilitate carbon export to ocean depths. The study provides new evidence for the iron–aluminum hypothesis, which suggests that Al could increase phytoplankton uptake of atmospheric CO2 and influence climate change.