单细胞原生生物在海洋碳汇研究中的重要性和展望

海洋是地球上最大的碳库,通过对CO~2的固定以及与大气物质和能量的交换,海洋对全球气候的变化起到关键的调控作用。随着全球气候变化的加剧,增加海洋碳汇已经成为应对全球气候变化的热门研究课题和主要途径之一。海洋微型生物在海洋的固碳过程及碳循环中起到关键的作用,对海洋碳汇意义重大。本文综述了一类重要的海洋微型生物——单细胞原生生物在海洋碳汇研究中的重要性,分析了其中的代表——网粘菌门(Labyrintholomycota)原生生物在海洋碳循环和次级生产中的意义,并从清楚地认识海洋碳汇的过程和机制方面,提出未来该领域急需解决的科学问题和可能的研究方案,为丰富海洋碳汇研究的生物学基础提供理论依据。     

中国海表层沉积生物硅含量与硅藻丰度空间分布规律

生物硅是海洋硅循环及古海洋学的主要研究对象,主要由硅藻、放射虫、硅鞭藻和海绵骨针等硅质生物壳体组成。由于硅藻是海洋硅质生物以及海洋浮游植物群落的优势种群,故生物硅常被用作判断硅藻生产力甚至整个海洋初级生产力的重要指标。相对于硅藻的鉴定和统计分析,生物硅含量分析有其便利快捷的明显优势,然而生物硅组成的复杂性使其在现代海洋学及古海洋学的应用中存在一定的风险,但是目前有关生物硅含量与硅藻生产力的相关性及其对现代海洋和古海洋研究的影响尚未引起足够的关注。本文通过收集整理大量已发表的我国边缘海表层沉积物生物硅与硅藻的相关研究成果,在此基础上探讨了我国边缘海沉积生物硅含量与硅藻丰度的空间分布及其耦合性,及其对海洋生产力研究的指示意义。从现有的研究数据可以看出东中国海,主要包括东海和黄海,以及南海陆架浅海区表层沉积生物硅含量与硅藻丰度均无明显的空间变化规律,而南海表层沉积生物硅含量与硅藻丰度均表现为由陆架向海盆逐渐增加的趋势,与水深呈明显正相关关系。整个中国边缘海沉积生物硅含量和硅藻丰度的空间分布格局与现代水体初级生产力的分布格局差异明显,陆源输入的稀释作用对此起到了重要影响。通过进一步的分析发现,南海表层沉积硅藻对生物硅的贡献还存在明显的区域变化,表现为在陆坡及其邻近海盆区硅藻对沉积生物硅的贡献较大,而在深海海盆区放射虫及其他硅质生物对生物硅的贡献不容忽视。为了更好地利用生物硅、硅藻及其他相关参数研究边缘海硅循环及古海洋环境演变,未来需要更多地关注除硅藻以外的硅质生物,如硅鞭藻、海绵骨针等,对生物硅的贡献及其对海洋硅的生物地球化学过程的影响。     

植物在硅生物地球化学循环过程中的作用

硅是地球上重要的矿质元素,在许多生物地球化学过程中起着重要作用。传统认为硅的循环主要受岩石风化、矿物溶解和水体沉积的影响。实际上,植物在硅的生物地球化学循环中起着重要作用。植物体本身就是一个相当大的硅库,它们能以无定型硅(SiO2.nH2O)的形式积累硅,称作生物硅(BSi)、植硅石或蛋白石。陆地植物每年以BSi的形式固定约1.68×109～5.60×109t的硅,通过枯枝落叶返回到土壤中的BSi有92.5%被植物再吸收,7.5%进入土壤库。陆地植物从土壤BSi库吸收的硅量远超过从岩石风化释放吸收的硅量,植物-土壤内循环的有效性强烈地影响着陆地生态系统中的硅向河流和海洋的输送。在海洋中,硅藻通过吸收、溶解和沉积在很大程度上影响着海洋里的硅循环,硅藻每年固定的硅约为5.60×109～7.84×109t,同样,在向海底沉积的过程中,97%的BSi重新被硅藻吸收,每年只有1.43×108～2.55×108t(约3%)沉积到海底。可见,植物在陆地生态系统和水生生态系统硅的循环中均起着非常重要的作用,研究硅的全球生物地球化学循环时必须考虑到植物的作用。     

海洋碳循环研究进展

海洋碳循环是全球碳循环的重要组成部分,是影响全球变化的关键控制环节。海洋作为一个巨大的碳库,具有吸收和贮存大气CO2的能力,影响着大气CO2的收支平衡,研究碳在海洋中的转移和归宿,对于预测未来大气中CO2含量乃至全球气候变化具有重要意义。综述了海洋CO2通量,海水中碳的迁移和海洋沉积物及河口通量的研究状况,介绍了生物泵作用,碳循环模型的发展以及分析方法的最新发展等,并展望了海洋碳循环研究的未来发展趋势。     

湖泊-流域系统硅循环及其对碳和养分循环的影响

硅是环境中最为常见的元素之一,在地壳中的丰度为28.8%,是多数植物生长的有益元素。在生态系统中,硅循环与碳和营养元素的循环密切相关。以往国内外对于硅循环的研究大多针对海洋和陆地生态系统,而湖泊-流域系统中硅的循环过程及其对碳和营养元素循环影响的研究尚且不多。本文结合国内外研究进展,综述硅在湖泊-流域系统的存在形态及分布,阐述硅在湖泊-流域系统中的基本循环过程,以及该循环过程对碳和养分循环的影响及其作用机制。在此基础上,提出了今后的研究工作应对湖泊硅素来源进行分析,并确定湖泊沉积物中植硅体与硅藻固碳量,同时完善湖泊氮、磷、硅含量及其生态化学计量关系,最后建立湖泊-流域系统硅-碳-养分耦合循环模型。本文有助于更好地了解湖泊-流域系统硅循环过程以及硅循环对碳、养分循环的影响机制,为缓解湖泊-流域水体富营养化现象和全球气候变化提供科学参考。     

河流输送硅通量降低的机制及生态效应

从筑坝成库、硅藻吸收和固定、渔业发展、水体富营养化、水文结构变化几方面对河流输送硅通量降低的影响机制进行了归纳分析,综述了河流输送硅通量降低对河流、河口和近海产生的生态效应。研究表明,河流输送硅通量降低对硅的地球化学循环平衡产生了巨大影响,并造成了一系列的生态变迁。其中,硅藻是河流输送硅通量降低的主要因素,大量繁殖的硅藻将水库水体溶解性硅(DSi)吸收后转化成自身的生物硅(BSi),死亡后沉积到水库底部贮存起来,导致下游河流和海洋缺乏DSi,从而产生对人类具有重大影响的生态效应。     

水环境中有机碳循环的重要驱动力-噬菌体

随着气候温暖化问题日益突出,维持全球碳平衡成为人类可持续发展的关键。在超过地球表面70%的水环境中,生物有机碳循环是所有元素循环中最重要的一环。噬菌体的分布十分广泛,且含量丰富,其丰度可达106~108/mL,仅海洋噬菌体的总量即可达1030个。噬菌体在维持生物有机碳循环中贡献巨大,据估算经由海洋病毒完成的可溶性有机碳就达到全球碳循环的26%。主要针对噬菌体在海洋、湖泊、冰尘穴及湿地有机碳循环的作用进行了综述。     

海洋酸化影响硅藻固碳相关基因表达的研究进展

由于人类活动导致的大气CO2浓度升高,将导致海水p H值下降,从而引起海洋酸化,改变海水碳酸盐系统,影响海洋生物的生长、发育、代谢、凋亡及钙化过程等。研究海洋酸化对藻类固碳途径(生物碳泵)的影响对了解和预测未来海洋碳泵的发展趋势具有重要意义,硅藻作为海洋初级生产力的主要生产者,研究海洋酸化影响其固碳过程的意义更大。尽管目前已对海洋酸化影响硅藻的生理生化过程有了较为深入的研究,但从基因表达水平上研究海洋酸化对硅藻固碳过程的影响还较少,本文对此领域做一概述。     

高原湿地的碳循环

<正>湿地生态系统是陆地生态系统中仅次于森林生态系统的最大碳库,湿地生态系统碳循环在全球碳循环中起着重要作用。湿地独特的水文条件,使得湿地碳循环具有与其他生态系统不同的特点。湿地土壤有机碳的循环过程生态系统有机碳的积累取决于系统植被净初级生产力(NPP)与有机碳分解和净排放之间的差异。湿地植物残体因受湿地多水和还原性强的限制,其分解、转化速度比较缓慢,通常以泥炭或有机质的形式表现为有     

长江流域水环境碳循环研究进展

碳循环是地球系统中最重要的物质循环之一，对全球气候变化和人类生存发展具有根本性的意义。河流中的碳物质常常反映了流域气候与环境的变化，是全球碳循环的关键组成部分。长江流域是我国最大的流域，广泛分布碳酸盐岩，具有巨大的生态系统固碳潜力。由于长江流域的自然环境变化的复杂性，我们对全球变化背景下长江流域水环境碳循环的认识还十分有限。本文对长江流域水环境碳物质的时空分布与来源以及流域岩石风化碳汇等资料进行了回顾和梳理，发现有机碳的来源和分布主要受人类活动的影响，而无机碳主要来源于长江流域岩石的化学风化，同时岩石风化具有巨大的碳汇潜力。在全球变化影响下，这些碳物质发生迁移转化，可能引发新的生态环境问题，这对预测未来的环境变化具有重要意义，也为长江流域碳循环研究提供了基础。     

On the Beneficial Role of Silicon to Organisms: A Case Study on the Importance of Silicon Chemistry to Metal Accumulation in Yeast

Silicon is involved in numerous important structural and functional roles in a wide range of organisms, including diatoms, plants, and humans, but clear mechanisms have been discovered only in diatoms and sponges. Silicate availability influences metal concentrations within various cell- and tissue-types, but a mechanism has not been discovered so far. In an earlier study on Baker’s yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae it was proposed that a chemical mechanism, rather than a biological one, is important. In the present study, the interaction of silicon with Baker’s yeast is further investigated by studying the influence of zinc and magnesium on Si accumulation both at a low and a high silicate concentration in the medium. Si accumulation fitted well with Freundlich adsorption and Si release followed depolymerization kinetics, indicating that silicate adsorbs to the surface of the cell rather than being transported over the cell membrane. Subsequently, adsorbed silicate interacts with metal ions and, therefore, alters the cell’s affinity for these ions. Since several metals are nutritional, these Si interactions can significantly change the growth and viability of organisms. In conclusion, the results show that chemistry is important in Si and metal accumulation in Baker’s yeast, and suggest that similar mechanisms should be studied in detail in other organisms to unravel essential roles of Si.     

Trends in tuna carbon isotopes suggest global changes in pelagic phytoplankton communities

Considerable uncertainty remains over how increasing atmospheric CO₂ and anthropogenic climate changes are affecting open‐ocean marine ecosystems from phytoplankton to top predators. Biological time series data are thus urgently needed for the world's oceans. Here, we use the carbon stable isotope composition of tuna to provide a first insight into the existence of global trends in complex ecosystem dynamics and changes in the oceanic carbon cycle. From 2000 to 2015, considerable declines in δ¹³C values of 0.8‰–2.5‰ were observed across three tuna species sampled globally, with more substantial changes in the Pacific Ocean compared to the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Tuna recorded not only the Suess effect, that is, fossil fuel‐derived and isotopically light carbon being incorporated into marine ecosystems, but also recorded profound changes at the base of marine food webs. We suggest a global shift in phytoplankton community structure, for example, a reduction in ¹³C‐rich phytoplankton such as diatoms, and/or a change in phytoplankton physiology during this period, although this does not rule out other concomitant changes at higher levels in the food webs. Our study establishes tuna δ¹³C values as a candidate essential ocean variable to assess complex ecosystem responses to climate change at regional to global scales and over decadal timescales. Finally, this time series will be invaluable in calibrating and validating global earth system models to project changes in marine biota.     

Effects, distribution and uptake of silicon in banana (Musa spp.) under controlled conditions

Three contrasted genotypes of Musa spp. (M. acuminata cv Grande Naine, M. acuminata spp. Banksii and M. balbisiana spp. Tani) were grown for 6 weeks under optimal conditions in hydroponics and were submitted to a wide range of Si supply (0–1.66 mM Si) to quantify the Si uptake and distribution in banana, as well as the effect of Si on banana growth. The level of Si supply did not affect plant growth, nor the rate of water and nutrient uptake. The rate of Si uptake and the Si concentration in plant tissues increased markedly with the Si supply. At the highest Si concentrations (1.66 mM), silicon absorption was essentially driven by mass flow of water (passive transport). However, at lower Si concentrations (0.02–0.83 mM), it was higher than its uptake by mass flow and caused the depletion of silicon in the nutrient solution, suggesting the existence of active processes in silicon transport. The distribution of silicon among shoot organs (pseudostem < petiole and midrib < young lamina < old leaf) confirmed the major role of transpiration in silicon accumulation and was not dependent on silicon supply. However, other mechanisms of transport might be operating in the roots and in the petiole and midrib of young leaves, whose silicon concentration was unexpectedly high at low Si supply (0.02 mM) compared to higher levels of Si. The three genotypes did not exhibit consistent differences in their responses to silicon supply.     

Marine Synechococcus isolates representing globally abundant genomic lineages demonstrate a unique evolutionary path of genome reduction without a decrease in GC content

Synechococcus, a genus of unicellular cyanobacteria found throughout the global surface ocean, is a large driver of Earth's carbon cycle. Developing a better understanding of its diversity and distributions is an ongoing effort in biological oceanography. Here, we introduce 12 new draft genomes of marine Synechococcus isolates spanning five clades and utilize ~100 environmental metagenomes largely sourced from the TARA Oceans project to assess the global distributions of the genomic lineages they and other reference genomes represent. We show that five newly provided clade-II isolates are by far the most representative of the recovered in situ populations (most ‘abundant’) and have biogeographic distributions distinct from previously available clade-II references. Additionally, these isolates form a subclade possessing the smallest genomes yet identified of the genus (2.14 ± 0.05Mbps; mean ± 1SD) while concurrently hosting some of the highest GC contents (60.67 ± 0.16%). This is in direct opposition to the pattern in Synechococcus’s nearest relative, Prochlorococcus – wherein decreasing genome size has coincided with a strong decrease in GC content – suggesting this new subclade of Synechococcus appears to have convergently undergone genomic reduction relative to the rest of the genus, but along a fundamentally different evolutionary trajectory.     

固氮蓝细菌束毛藻生物固氮策略研究进展

固氮蓝细菌束毛藻(Tricodesmium)是海洋中丰度最高的固氮微生物,贡献了约42%的海洋生物固氮,为海洋生态系统提供了新的氮源,驱动海洋初级生产力和食物网,在海洋生物地球化学循环中发挥重要作用。作为海洋中“新氮”主要贡献者,束毛藻是一种不产生异形胞的丝状固氮蓝细菌。因为生物固氮的关键酶固氮酶对氧气十分敏感,一般固氮蓝细菌通常产生异形胞或采用夜间固氮的方式进行生物固氮,避免氧气对固氮酶的抑制作用。近年来研究发现,束毛藻具有一套独特的生物固氮体系,能够使同一藻丝在白天同时完成光合作用和生物固氮,并具有复杂的调控机制。本文综述了近年来束毛藻生物固氮策略的最新研究进展,介绍了其生物固氮和光合作用之间的精密调控机制,对拓展固氮微生物尤其是海洋蓝细菌固氮机制的认识具有借鉴意义。     

The Terrestrial Silica Pump

Silicon (Si) cycling controls atmospheric CO₂ concentrations and thus, the global climate, through three well-recognized means: chemical weathering of mineral silicates, occlusion of carbon (C) to soil phytoliths, and the oceanic biological Si pump. In the latter, oceanic diatoms directly sequester 25.8 Gton C yr⁻¹, accounting for 43% of the total oceanic net primary production (NPP). However, another important link between C and Si cycling remains largely ignored, specifically the role of Si in terrestrial NPP. Here we show that 55% of terrestrial NPP (33 Gton C yr⁻¹) is due to active Si-accumulating vegetation, on par with the amount of C sequestered annually via marine diatoms. Our results suggest that similar to oceanic diatoms, the biological Si cycle of land plants also controls atmospheric CO₂ levels. In addition, we provide the first estimates of Si fixed in terrestrial vegetation by major global biome type, highlighting the ecosystems of most dynamic Si fixation. Projected global land use change will convert forests to agricultural lands, increasing the fixation of Si by land plants, and the magnitude of the terrestrial Si pump.     

木质素在海洋中的生物转化及其对海洋碳循环的影响

微型生物参与的海洋碳汇是海洋重要的储碳途径,可调节全球气候变化。木质素是地球上第二大光合而成的碳库,其在海洋中的生物地球化学过程与海洋碳循环密切相关。异养微生物所主导的代谢活动是木质素生物转化的主要途径。近年来,迅速发展的高通量测序技术与传统微生物技术相结合,在探索自然生境中木质素代谢菌群,发现木质素代谢新物种,挖掘相关功能基因等方面已取得一系列成果。然而绝大多数的研究主要集中于陆地生态系统,对于海洋生态系统的研究仍较少。陆源有机碳在海洋中的转化过程仍是一个"谜",故解析海洋木质素碳转化是海洋碳循环研究的重要任务。本文综述了参与海洋木质素转化的功能微生物、木质素代谢机理以及微生物碳代谢活动与海洋碳汇过程的内在联系,为今后的研究提供参考。     

陆地和淡水生态系统新型微生物氮循环研究进展

氮生物地球化学循环是地球物质循环的重要枢纽,是决定陆地生态系统生产力水平、水资源安全、温室气体生成排放的关键过程。氮循环是由微生物介导的一系列复杂过程,不同形态、价态氮化合物的转化分别由相应的功能微生物驱动完成。随着厌氧氨氧化、完全氨氧化等新型氮转化过程的相继报道和发现更新了人们对氮循环的认识。本文综述了陆地和淡水生态系统中厌氧氨氧化(anammox)、硝酸盐异化还原为铵(DNRA)、完全氨氧化(comammox)等新型氮循环过程的发生机制、热区分布及环境效应,并总结了这三种氮循环的相互关系。     

Influence of dimethyl sulfide on the carbon cycle and biological production

Dimethyl sulfide (DMS) is a significant source of marine sulfate aerosol and plays an important role in modifying cloud properties. Fully coupled climate simulations using dynamic marine ecosystem and DMS calculations are conducted to estimate DMS fluxes under various climate scenarios and to examine the sign and strength of phytoplankton-DMS-climate feedbacks for the first time. Simulation results show small differences in the DMS production and emissions between pre-industrial and present climate scenarios, except for some areas in the Southern Ocean. There are clear changes in surface ocean DMS concentrations moving into the future, and they are attributable to changes in phytoplankton production and competition driven by complex spatially varying mechanisms. Comparisons between parallel simulations with and without DMS fluxes into the atmosphere show significant differences in marine ecosystems and physical fields. Without DMS, the missing subsequent aerosol indirect effects on clouds and radiative forcing lead to fewer clouds, more solar radiation, and a much warmer climate. Phaeocystis, a uniquely efficient organosulfur producer with a growth advantage under cooler climate states, can benefit from producing the compound through cooling effects of DMS in the climate system. Our results show a tight coupling between the sulfur and carbon cycles. The ocean carbon uptake declines without DMS emissions to the atmosphere. The analysis indicates a weak positive phytoplankton-DMS-climate feedback at the global scale, with large spatial variations driven by individual autotrophic functional groups and complex mechanisms. The sign and strength of the feedback vary with climate states and phytoplankton groups. This highlights the importance of a dynamic marine ecosystem module and the sulfur cycle mechanism in climate projections.