Microorganisms in the ocean surface layer play an integral role in the exchange of carbon between the atmosphere and the ocean. The global dissolved organic carbon (DOC) pool is estimated to be approximately 700 Pg C, a value comparable to the mass of inorganic carbon in the atmosphere. Small perturbations in the metabolism of DOC by microorganisms could strongly impact the balance between oceanic and atmospheric carbon dioxide. Thus, the microbial processes that determine DOC production, consumption and distribution in the oceans are important to the global carbon cycle.
The goal of the Oceanic Microbial Observatory project is to understand the cell biology and biogeochemical activities of the major bacterioplankton groups - SAR11, SAR86, SAR202 and SAR116, marine actinobacteria, SAR324 and SAR406 - by applying new high throughput technologies for cell culturing and studying the metabolism of these organisms in nature and their interactions with organic matter in the oceans. This effort is focused on the Bermuda Atlantic Time-series Study (BATS) site, a subtropical gyre characterized by winter time convective overturn, spring phytoplankton blooms and regular patterns of DOC cycling.
People
Dr. Craig Carlson, UC Santa Barbara
Dr. Stephen Giovannoni, Oregon State University
Ms. Rachel Parsons, Oceanic Microbial Observatory Laboratory Manager, BIOS
Oceanic Microbial Observatory Home Page
Related Information: Unraveling the Mystery of SAR11
