Exploring the role of vitamin b12 and b1 in the microbial plankton community structure and function in a coastal upwelling system

Resumo

Most studies of controls on microbial plankton dynamics and species succession have focused almost exclusively on inorganic nutrients and/or trace metals. However, recent studies in coastal water strongly suggest that phytoplankton is eventually limited o co-limited by some metabolites derived from bacterial activity. The majority of phytoplankton species require exogenous source of B-vitamins for growth. Recent evidences suggest that those compounds can play an important role in microbial plankton succession and carbon cycling in large areas of the ocean. ENVISION aims at examining for the first time the dynamics of B-vitamins and their role in microbial plankton dynamics at adequate spatial and temporal scales in highly productive region.