The Xiamen Symposium on Marine Environmental Sciences

2027 Xiamen Symposium on Marine Environmental Sciences

January 12-15, 2027

Spatial plasticity of particulate trace metal stoichiometry in the Northwestern Pacific
ID:219 Poster Presentation

2027-01-15 19:15 (China Standard Time)

Session: Session 8 - Trace metal biogeochemical cycles in the ocean

Abstract
Trace metals (e.g., Zn, Mn, Ni, Cu, Co, and Cd) are essential micronutrients that influence ocean productivity and biogeochemistry. The metal quotas of phytoplankton provide valuable insights into both the physiological demand for these metals and the environmental conditions under which cells grow. However, most available metal quota data are derived from laboratory culture experiments and are commonly regarded as fixed stoichiometric values, which may not fully represent those in natural populations. In this study, we investigates particulate trace metal-to-phosphorus (M:P) stoichiometries along two transects (155°E and 165°E) spanning 10°N–50°N in the Northwest Pacific Ocean. Suspended particles were collected using large volume in situ pumps aboard R/V Tan Kah Kee during three cruises (KK2003, KK2202, and KK2504). The results reveal distinct latitudinal patterns in phytoplankton-associated metal stoichiometry across the Northwest Pacific. For Cd and Zn, their M:P ratios increased from 0.03 and 0.3 pmol:nmol at <25°N to 0.6 and 6.9 pmol:nmol at >45°N, respectively, indicating enhanced Cd and Zn requirements under high latitude conditions. In contrast, Co exhibited an opposite pattern, with relatively elevated Co:P ratios at lower latitudes (0.25 pmol:nmol at 12.5°N) but remaining relatively low (0.03–0.15 pmol:nmol) at higher latitude. For Mn, Cu, and Ni, although their particulate concentrations in the upper 100 m increased toward higher latitudes in parallel with increasing particulate phosphorus concentrations, their M:P ratios showed no clear latitudinal trends. This lack of variation may reflect either intrinsically stable metal requirements or stronger contributions from non-biological particulate components that obscure biological signals. These contrasting elemental responses highlight the heterogeneous controls of environmental conditions and phytoplankton community structure on marine metal stoichiometry.
Speaker
Shengbiao Peng Xiamen University

Author
Shengbiao Peng Xiamen University

    Important Dates

    • Jan 30

      2026

      Session / Event proposals open

    • Mar 31

      2026

      Session / Event proposals close
      (Extended to April 7)

    • Apr 30

      2026

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    • Apr 30

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    • Jun 30

      2026

      Abstract submissions close
      (Extended to July 21)

    • Aug 31

      2026

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    • Sep 15

      2026

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    • Oct 15

      2026

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    • Jan 12–15

      2027

      XMAS 2027