Controlling factors on the global distribution of a representative marine non-cyanobacterial diazotroph phylotype (Gamma A)

Abstract

Non-cyanobacterial diazotrophs may be contributors to global marine N₂ fixation, although the factors controlling their distribution are unclear. Here, we explored what controls the distribution of the most sampled non-cyanobacterial diazotroph phylotype, Gamma A, in the global ocean. First, we represented Gamma A abundance by its nifH quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) copies reported in the literature and analyzed its relationship to climatological biological and environmental conditions. There was a positive correlation between the Gamma A abundance and local net primary production (NPP), and the maximal observed Gamma A abundance increased with NPP and became saturated when NPP reached ∼ 400 mg C m⁻² d⁻¹. Additionally, an analysis using a multivariate generalized additive model (GAM) revealed that the Gamma A abundance increased with light intensity but decreased with increasing iron concentration. The GAM also showed a weak but significant positive relationship between Gamma A abundance and silicate concentration, as well as a substantial elevation of Gamma A abundance when the nitrate concentration was very high (≳ 10 µM). Using the GAM, these climatological factors together explained 43 % of the variance in the Gamma A abundance. Second, in addition to the climatological background, we found that Gamma A abundance was elevated in mesoscale cyclonic eddies in high-productivity (climatological NPP > 400 mg m⁻² d⁻¹) regions, implying that Gamma A can respond to mesoscale features and benefit from nutrient inputs. Overall, our results suggest that Gamma A tends to inhabit ocean environments with high productivity and low iron concentrations and therefore provide insight into the niche differentiation of Gamma A from cyanobacterial diazotrophs, which are generally most active in oligotrophic ocean regions and need a sufficient iron supply, although both groups prefer well-lit surface waters. More sampling on Gamma A and other non-cyanobacterial diazotroph phylotypes is needed to reveal the controlling mechanisms of heterotrophic N₂ fixation in the ocean.