Cyanobacteria of the Persian Gulf"; Hidden actors of the carbon cycle against global warming
The results of an innovative one-year study by the researchers of the National Institute of Oceanography and Atmospheric Sciences have provided a new picture of the dynamics of phytoplankton communities and their key role in the carbon cycle in the Persian Gulf.
According to the public relations report of the National Research Institute of Oceanography and Atmospheric Sciences, this research, which was carried out with the support of the National Science Foundation of Iran, shows that the phytoplanktons of the northwestern and eastern regions of the Persian Gulf have distinct patterns of diversity and biological stability.
The most prominent finding of this research is the identification of the widespread blooming of the cyanobacterium "Trichodesmium erythraeum" in summer and early autumn. This amazing microorganism changes the chemical composition of sea water with its unique ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen and absorb carbon dioxide. The activity of this cyanobacterium even leads to an increase in water pH and a change in the calcium carbonate saturation index; A large-scale process can have significant effects on the carbon balance of the world's oceans.
On the other hand, the present study points to the stable and effective presence of mixotrophic species such as "Mesodinium rubrum". These organisms, which are both capable of photosynthesis and feed through hunting, play a key role in the flexibility and stability of the Persian Gulf ecosystem, and as a vital bridge, they transfer energy from primary production to higher levels of the food chain.
Dr. Emad Kochnejad, the responsible author of this article and a researcher at the National Research Institute of Oceanography and Atmospheric Sciences, said in this regard: "The Persian Gulf acts as a natural laboratory that shows us how marine organisms resist harsh environmental conditions. Studying and understanding these adaptive mechanisms will provide valuable clues about how the world's oceans respond to global warming and acidification."
According to the public relations of the National Research Institute of Oceanography and Atmospheric Sciences, this research emphasizes the need for long-term and continuous monitoring of phytoplankton communities as a key indicator for the sustainable management of marine resources, as well as more accurate prediction of the effects of climate change in the strategic region of the Persian Gulf.
The details of this research in
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0967064525000839?via%3Dihub
has been published.
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