The Xiamen Symposium on Marine Environmental Sciences

2027 Xiamen Symposium on Marine Environmental Sciences

January 12-15, 2027

Different responses of diazotrophic UCYN-B and nondiazotrophic picophytoplankton in the Western Pacific to cyclonic eddy disturbance and regulatory mechanism
ID:593 Poster Presentation

2027-01-15 17:30 (China Standard Time)

Session:Session 49 - Biological Carbon Pump: New Insights from Field Observations and Model Constraints

Abstract
In the vast oligotrophic ocean, bioavailable nitrogen has long been limited by scarcity. Nitrogen-fixing organisms input new bioavailable nitrogen into oligotrophic marine ecosystems via biological nitrogen fixation, significantly regulating the regional nitrogen budget balance and primary productivity level. Mesoscale eddies are widespread in oligotrophic ocean, and the vertical mixing and physical disturbance they induce substantially affect nutrient supply and phytoplankton community structure in these regions. Although certain understandings have been gained regarding the biological nitrogen fixation contribution of the unicellular diazotroph cyanobacterium UCYN-B in oligotrophic waters, its response to eddy-driven environmental changes remains poorly understood. In this study, flow cytometry and high-performance liquid chromatography were employed to investigate the distribution characteristics of the N2-fixing microorganism UCYN-B and non-N2-fixing picophytoplankton communities within a cyclonic eddy in the Northwestern Pacific Subtropical Gyre. Significant differences in spatial distribution were detected: the abundance of UCYN-B decreased sharply from the eddy outside to the eddy core, while the abundance of other phytoplankton groups exhibited relatively minor variations across different regions of the eddy, maintaining stable biomass. This decoupling indicates that UCYN-B is more sensitive to eddy-induced environmental changes than other phytoplankton, which may be related to its specific ecological niche. We propose that the inhibition of UCYN-B in the eddy core may be associated with changes in nutrient conditions, alterations in temperature and light conditions, and competitive interactions under enhanced mixing. These factors collectively put this nitrogen-fixing group at a disadvantage relative to non-nitrogen-fixing picophytoplankton in the core of cyclonic eddies. Given that the frequency and intensity of mesoscale eddies are projected to increase under future climate scenarios, this differential response of microbial functional groups to mesoscale eddies may have a significant impact on biogeochemical cycles in oligotrophic waters.
 
Speaker
Wenfeng Yin Xiamen University

Author
Xin Liu 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

      Session acceptance notifications

    • Apr 30

      2026

      Abstract submissions & registration open

    • Jun 30

      2026

      Abstract submissions close
      (Extended to July 21)

    • Aug 31

      2026

      Abstract acceptance notifications

    • Sep 15

      2026

      Scientific program released

    • Oct 15

      2026

      Early bird registration closes

    • Jan 12–15

      2027

      XMAS 2027