Summary of MERLIM
The rates of uptake of essential trace metals and
carbon dioxide can limit phytoplankton growth rates in marine ecosystems. The
MERLIM project aims to elucidate the relationship between algal growth and the availability
of trace metals and carbon dioxide in seawater, including synergistic effects
relating to trace metal and inorganic carbon co-limitation. The analysis of
trace metal and CO2 bioavailability will involve the determination
of the chemical forms of iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), and cobalt (Co), their exchange
kinetics and diffusive transport rates, as well as an assessment of the
significance and functioning of carbon-concentrating mechanisms in marine
phytoplankton communities.
Laboratory incubations of phytoplankton species are done under controlled
conditions of trace metals and CO2 in the seawater medium. In
addition there are at sea assessments during two cruises in 1998 and 1999.
