"The study found that different phytoplankton species release distinct combinations of metabolites, including carbon compounds also containing nitrogen, phosphorus, and other essential nutrients."
"Using a chemical-tagging method developed at WHOI, we were able to quantify the composition of biologically available small molecules released by globally abundant microorganisms."
A study identifies various molecules released by marine phytoplankton that support microbial life and drive the carbon cycle. Phytoplankton convert carbon dioxide into organic carbon through photosynthesis, moving vast amounts of carbon annually and contributing to atmospheric oxygen. Researchers placed six phytoplankton species under controlled conditions to analyze the small molecules they release. These compounds represent a significant portion of dissolved organic carbon and are crucial for microbial metabolism in the ocean, with different phytoplankton species releasing unique combinations of metabolites.
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