Global oceanic diazotroph database version 2 and elevated estimate of global oceanic N2 fixation

Marine diazotrophs convert dinitrogen (N-2) gas into bioavailable nitrogen (N), supporting life in the global ocean. In 2012, the first version of the global oceanic diazotroph database (version 1) was published. Here, we present an updated version of the database (version 2), significantly increasing the number of in situ diazotrophic measurements from 13 565 to 55 286. Data points for N-2 fixation rates, diazotrophic cell abundance, and nifH gene copy abundance have increased by 184 %, 86 %, and 809 %, respectively. Version 2 includes two new data sheets for the nifH gene copy abundance of non-cyanobacterial diazotrophs and cell-specific N2 fixation rates. The measurements of N-2 fixation rates approximately follow a log-normal distribution in both version 1 and version 2. However, version 2 considerably extends both the left and right tails of the distribution. Consequently, when estimating global oceanic N-2 fixation rates using the geometric means of different ocean basins, version 1 and version 2 yield similar rates (43-57 versus 45-63 TgNyr (-1); ranges based on one geometric standard error). In contrast, when using arithmetic means, version 2 suggests a significantly higher rate of 223 +/- 30 TgNyr (-1) (mean +/- standard error; same hereafter) compared to version 1 (74 +/- 7 TgNyr (-1)). Specifically, substantial rate increases are estimated for the South Pacific Ocean (88 +/- 23 versus 20 +/- 2 TgNyr 1), primarily driven by measurements in the southwestern subtropics, and for the North Atlantic Ocean (40 +/- 9 versus 10 +/- 2 TgNyr (-1)). Moreover, version 2 estimates the N-2 fixation rate in the Indian Ocean to be 35 +/- 14 TgNyr (-1), which could not be estimated using version 1 due to limited data availability. Furthermore, a comparison of N-2 fixation rates obtained through different measurement methods at the same months, locations, and depths reveals that the conventional N-15(2) bubble method yields lower rates in 69% cases compared to the new N-15(2) dissolution method. This updated version of the database can facilitate future studies in marine ecology and biogeochemistry. The database is stored at the Figshare repository (https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.21677687; Shao et al., 2022).

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Shao Zhibo, Xu Yangchun, Wang Hua, Luo Weicheng, Wang Lice, Huang Yuhong, Agawin Nona Sheila R., Ahmed Ayaz, Benavides Mar, Bentzon-Tilia Mikkel, Berman-Frank Ilana, Berthelot Hugo, Biegala Isabelle C., Bif Mariana B., Bode Antonio, Bonnet Sophie, Bronk Deborah A., Brown Mark V., Campbell Lisa, Capone Douglas G., Carpenter Edward J., Cassar Nicolas, Chang Bonnie X., Chappell Dreux, Chen Yuh-ling Lee, Church Matthew J., Cornejo-Castillo Francisco M., Detoni Amalia Maria Sacilotto, Doney Scott C., Dupouy Cecile, Estrada Marta, Fernandez Camila, Fernandez-Castro Bieito, Fonseca-Batista Debany, Foster Rachel A., Furuya Ken, Garcia Nicole, Goto Kanji, Gago Jesus, Gradoville Mary R., Hamersley M. Robert, Henke Britt A., Horstmann Cora, Jayakumar Amal, Jiang Zhibing, Kao Shuh-Ji, Karl David M., Kittu Leila R., Knapp Angela N., Kumar Sanjeev, Laroche Julie, Liu Hongbin, Liu Jiaxing, Lory Caroline, Loscher Carolin R., Maranon Emilio, Messer Lauren F., Mills Matthew M., Mohr Wiebke, Moisander Pia H., Mahaffey Claire, Moore Robert, Mourino-Carballido Beatriz, Mulholland Margaret R., Nakaoka Shin-ichiro, Needoba Joseph A., Raes Eric J., Rahav Eyal, Ramirez-Cardenas Teodoro, Reeder Christian Furbo, Riemann Lasse, Riou Virginie, Robidart Julie C., Sarma Vedula V. S. S., Sato Takuya, Saxena Himanshu, Selden Corday, Seymour Justin R., Shi Dalin, Shiozaki Takuhei, Singh Arvind, Sipler Rachel E., Sun Jun, Suzuki Koji, Takahashi Kazutaka, Tan Yehui, Tang Weiyi, Tremblay Jean-Eric, Turk-Kubo Kendra, Wen Zuozhu, White Angelicque E., Wilson Samuel T., Yoshida Takashi, Zehr Jonathan P., Zhang Run, Zhang Yao, Luo Ya-Wei (2023). Global oceanic diazotroph database version 2 and elevated estimate of global oceanic N2 fixation. Earth System Science Data. 15 (8). 3673-3709. https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-15-3673-2023, https://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00857/96879/

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