The role of zooplankton in N-, P- and C- cycling and for the oxygen budget of tropical oxygen minimum zones (B08)

• Subject Area: Biochemistry
• Term: from 2012 to 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 27542298

Zooplankton is an important factor for the vertical transport of organic material and essential for the cycling of N, P, C and O in the ocean. Observations of zooplankton abundance, biomass and grazing activity will enable us to characterize how large and small scale changes in the oxygen distribution impact the role of zooplankton in controlling these elemental cycles. Biogeochemical model studies will address the dependence of heterotrophic processes on substrate supply via diel vertical migrations of zooplankton and particulate matter flux.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 754: Climate - Biogeochemistry Interactions in the Tropical Ocean
• Applicant Institution: Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel
• Co-Applicant Institution: GEOMAR Helmholtz-Zentrum für Ozeanforschung Kiel
• Project Heads: Dr. Iris Kriest; Professor Dr. Frank Melzner; Professor Dr. Ulrich Sommer