Quantifying nitrogen fixation by heterotrophic bacteria in sinking marine particles.

ABSTRACT: Nitrogen ([Formula: see text]) fixation by heterotrophic bacteria associated with sinking particles contributes to marine N cycling, but a mechanistic understanding of its regulation and significance are not available. Here we develop a mathematical model for unicellular heterotrophic bacteria growing on sinking marine particles. These bacteria can fix [Formula: see text] under suitable environmental conditions. We find that the interactive effects of polysaccharide and polypeptide concentrations, sinking speed of particles, and surrounding [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] concentrations determine the [Formula: see text] fixation rate inside particles. [Formula: see text] fixation inside sinking particles is mainly fueled by [Formula: see text] respiration rather than [Formula:

SUBMITTER: Chakraborty S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8253789 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature