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Physiological Ecology and Regulation of N2 Fixation in Natural Waters

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Advances in Microbial Ecology

Part of the book series: Advances in Microbial Ecology ((AMIE,volume 11))

Abstract

Biological nitrogen fixation, the enzyme (nitrogenase)-catalyzed process by which certain procaryotes reduce atmospheric dinitrogen (N2) to ammonia (NH3), is of fundamental importance in mediating the availability of utilizable nitrogen in the biosphere (Delwiche, 1970; Carpenter and Capone, 1983; Howarth et al., 1988). This process is of particular relevance in ecosystems exhibiting deficiencies in nitrogen availability; in this regard, it is well established that geographically and trophically diverse freshwater lakes, rivers, and reservoirs as well as estuarine, coastal, and oceanic habitats exhibit chronic nitrogen deficiencies (Ryther and Dunstan, 1971; Eppley et al., 1973; Parsons et al., 1977; Mann, 1982; Goldman and Horne, 1983; Wetzel, 1983). Among these waters, newly formed combined nitrogen inputs attributable to N2 fixation may regulate productivity and fertility (Horne and Fogg, 1970; Horne and Viner, 1971; Horne and Goldman, 1972; Brezonik, 1973; Mague and Holm-Hansen, 1975; Wiebe et al., 1975; Lean et al., 1978; Paerl et al., 1981; Martinez et al., 1983).

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  1. Institute of Marine Sciences, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Morehead City, North Carolina, 28557, USA

    Hans W. Paerl

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  1. University of New South Wales, Kensington, New South Wales, Australia

    K. C. Marshall

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Paerl, H.W. (1990). Physiological Ecology and Regulation of N2 Fixation in Natural Waters. In: Marshall, K.C. (eds) Advances in Microbial Ecology. Advances in Microbial Ecology, vol 11. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-7612-5_8

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