Colonies of marine cyanobacteria Trichodesmium interact with associated bacteria to acquire iron from dust

• DOI: 10.1038/s42003-019-0534-z
• Publication Date: 2019-08-02T11:15:26Z
• Authors: Subhajit Basu; Martha Gledhill; Dirk de Beer; S. G. Prabhu Mato...; Yeala Shaked
• Keywords: Trichodesmium; Iron fertilization

Abstract Iron (Fe) bioavailability limits phytoplankton growth in vast ocean regions. Iron-rich dust uplifted from deserts is transported the atmosphere and deposited on surface. However, this a poor source of iron for most since dust-bound Fe poorly soluble seawater rapidly sinks out photic zone. An exception Trichodesmium , globally important, N 2 fixing, colony forming, cyanobacterium, which efficiently captures shuffles to its core. bacteria that reside within colonies carry diverse metabolic interactions. Here we show evidence mutualistic interactions between associated utilization dust, where promote dissolution by producing Fe-complexing molecules (siderophores) provides optimal physical settings uptake. Our results demonstrate how intricate relationships producers consumers can influence productivity nutrient starved open ocean.