Colonies of the marine cyanobacterium Trichodesmium optimize dust utilization by selective collection and retention of nutrient-rich particles.

ABSTRACT: Trichodesmium, a globally important, N₂-fixing, and colony-forming cyanobacterium, employs multiple pathways for acquiring nutrients from air-borne dust, including active dust collection. Once concentrated within the colony core, dust can supply Trichodesmium with nutrients. Recently, we reported a selectivity in particle collection enabling Trichodesmium to center iron-rich minerals and optimize its nutrient utilization. In this follow-up study we examined if colonies select Phosphorus (P) minerals. We incubated 1,200 Trichodesmium colonies from the Red Sea with P-free CaCO₃, P-coated CaCO₃, and dust, over an entire bloom season. These colonies preferably interacted, centered, and retained P-coated CaCO₃ compared with

SUBMITTER: Wang S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8718973 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature