The Xiamen Symposium on Marine Environmental Sciences

2027 Xiamen Symposium on Marine Environmental Sciences

January 12-15, 2027

Anaplerosis is a key contributor to dark carbon fixation processes in the deep ocean
ID:751 Poster Presentation

2027-01-15 16:30 (China Standard Time)

Session:Session 14 - Microbial connectivity at the deep-sea floor: sediment–water interactions, particles, and benthic–pelagic coupling

Abstract
Carbon fixation is central to the marine carbon cycle. While photoautotrophy and chemolithoautotrophy receive most attention, anaplerotic pathways also fix inorganic carbon in both autotrophic and heterotrophic organisms. Anaplerosis has generally been considered a minor contributor to oceanic carbon fixation. Recent studies, however, indicate its potential importance across diverse oceanic regions. To address this knowledge gap, we quantified the contribution of anaplerosis to total dark dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) fixation. We first screened publicly available multi-omics datasets, which identified Alteromonas, an obligate heterotrophic genus lacking genes for canonical autotrophic carbon fixation, as a key player for anaplerotic pathways. We then combined laboratory cultivation, flux modeling, and targeted 14C-bicarbonate tracer assays across the Pacific and Atlantic Ocean, showing that Alteromonas actively assimilates DIC via phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase to sustain their high heterotrophic growth. Our field-based analysis reveals that anaplerotic carbon fixation accounts for approximately 17% of total dark DIC fixation in the global ocean. These results indicate that anaplerosis is a quantitatively important component of the deep-sea carbon budget, expanding its recognized role from a basic cellular function to a major biogeochemical process in the deep ocean.
Speaker
Amano Chie Hokkaido University / University of Vienna

Author
Amano Chie Hokkaido University / University of Vienna

    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