The Biogeochemical Role of Phytoplankton Resource Requirements on Future Ocean Deoxygenation

Speaker

Adam Martiny
UC Irvine

Abstract

One of the largest climate change threats to marine life and ecosystems is the risk of future deoxygenation. However, one of the main uncertainties for predicting the future oxygen levels is the response and feedback of biological respiration in the deep ocean. Here, I will present new data demonstrating how variation in the chemical composition of phytoplankton and sinking organic matter could be a very important regulator of deep ocean oxygen levels, the extent of oxygen minimum zones, and global nitrogen levels. I will show this using a combination field observations and Earth System Modeling. Thus, I hope to convince you that evolutionary and physiological processes shaping the chemical composition of phytoplankton represent a previously unrecognized but important feedback to future climate change.

Speaker Bio

Adam Martiny is professor in both the Department of Earth System Science as well as Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at University of California, Irvine. He got his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering at the Technical University of Denmark and later did postdoctoral research with Penny Chisholm at MIT. The aim of his research is to identify (i) how microorganisms respond and genetically adapt to environmental variations and (ii) the biogeochemical role of this biodiversity. The work is important for both understanding the basic biology and diversity of globally abundant microorganisms as well as gaining a mechanistic understanding of the biological controls on ocean nutrient cycles - now and under future climate conditions.