Table of Contents

• Dataset Description
  • Methods & Sampling
  • Data Processing Description
• Data Files
• Related Publications
• Parameters
• Instruments
• Project Information
• Funding

Analysis of dissolved 15N2 gas standards by Membrane Inlet Mass Spectrometry

We determined that the most reliable way to prepare dissolved 15N2 gas standards involves equilibration of the liquid phase with a headspace, rather than injection of a 15N2 gas aliquot into a sealed bottle without a headspace. Standards were prepared in a room with a relatively constant ambient temperature. Serial aliquots of 15N2 gas were each injected into the headspace of crimp-sealed 120 mL serum bottles containing 80 mL of air-equilibrated seawater (at room temperature) and a stir bar with an unpressurized air headspace. The vials were equilibrated for 72 hours on a stir plate (at low rpm) prior to analysis on the MIMS or IRMS. 

BCO-DMO Processing Notes:
- table was extracted from original spreadsheet.
- added conventional header with dataset name, PI name, version date
- modified parameter names to conform with BCO-DMO naming conventions

NSF Award Abstract:
The availability of nitrogen is required to support the growth and production of organisms living in the surface of our global ocean. This element can be scarce. To alleviate this scarcity, a special class of bacteria and archaea, called nitrogen fixers, can derive the nitrogen needed for growth from nitrogen gas. This project would carefully examine one specific method for measuring nitrogen fixation that has been used recently to suggest the occurrence of small amounts of nitrogen fixation in subsurface ocean waters. If these reports are verified, then a revision of our understanding of the marine nitrogen cycle may be needed. The Ocean Carbon and Biogeochemistry program will be used as a platform to develop community consensus for best practices in nitrogen fixation measurements and detection of diversity, activity, and abundances of the organisms responsible. In addition, a session will be organized in a future national/international conference to communicate with the broader scientific community while developing these best practices.

The goal of this study is to conduct a thorough examination of potential experimental and analytical errors inherent to the 15N2-tracer nitrogen fixation method, in tandem with comprehensive molecular measurements, in mesopelagic ocean waters. Samples will be collected and experimental work conducted on a cruise transect in the North Atlantic Ocean, followed by analytical work in the laboratory. The specific aims of this study are to (1) determine the minimum quantifiable rates of 15N2 fixation based on incubations of mesopelagic waters via characterization of sources of experimental and analytical error, and (2) seek evidence of presence and expression of nitrogen fixation genes via comprehensive molecular approaches on corresponding samples. The range of detectable rates and diazotroph activity from the measurements made in this study will be informative for the understanding of the importance of nitrogen fixation in the oceanic nitrogen budget.