Influence of nutrient stoichiometry on pelagic ecosystem dynamics in the Peru upwelling zone (B02)

• Subject Area: Oceanography ; Systematics and Morphology (Zoology)
• Term: from 2008 to 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 27542298

Building on previous work on the interactions between oxygen minimum zone (OMZ)-influenced (low N:P) stoichiometry and ecosystem processes, in Phase 3 we propose to test new hypotheses about channelling of excess P into dissolved organic phosphorus, the relation between oligotrophy and diazotrophy, and the role of zooplankton stoichiometry. We will approach this by means of (1) a large-scale in-situ mesocosm experiment in the OMZ region off Peru, (2) determination of N2 fixation and key ecosystem and biogeochemical quantities during a cruise in the Peruvian OMZ, and (3) optimality-based ecosystem modelling in 0D, 1D, and global 3D settings.

• 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. Markus Pahlow; Professor Dr. Ulf Riebesell