What role do marine microorganisms play in biogeochemical cycles?

Marine microorganisms are crucial drivers of biogeochemical cycles within marine environments, facilitating the movement and transformation of essential elements. Through metabolic processes, marine prokaryotes and other microorganisms manage significant cycling of carbon, nutrients, and chemicals throughout global ecosystems. Without these biological activities, major nutrient pathways and ecosystem functions would fail to operate.

What we know

• Marine microorganisms are crucial for the functioning of many biogeochemical cycles in marine environments. [2]
• Microorganisms drive biogeochemical cycling by carrying out a wide range of metabolic processes essential for nutrient and chemical movement. [3]
• Marine prokaryotes are responsible for significant levels of ocean photosynthesis and the cycling of carbon and other nutrients. [4]
• The forces driving biogeochemical cycles include biological metabolic processes alongside geological and chemical reactions. [2]

Where to go next

• the bigger pictureWhat are marine prokaryotes?
• a case in pointHow does the phosphorus cycle operate in ecosystems?
• how it workedWhat metabolic processes drive biogeochemical cycles?
• what followedHow do human activities disrupt biogeochemical cycles?
• how we knowWhat is the total biomass of marine prokaryotes on Earth?
• an unexpected connectionHow does bacterial and archaeal biomass compare to human biomass?Marine prokaryotes collectively possess a staggering planetary biomass far exceeding that of all animals and humans combined, demonstrating their massive scale in driving global cycles.

Sources

• [1]Marine biogeochemical cycles (Wikidata Q96418884) · CC0 1.0
• [2]Marine biogeochemical cycles · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [3]Biogeochemical cycle · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [4]Marine prokaryotes · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [5]Phosphorus cycle · CC BY-SA 4.0

Your path

1. How do video game developers and publishers operate?
2. /How does the legend of Atlantis compare to Zealandia?
3. /Why is the North Indian Ocean the least active cyclone basin?
4. /What were the consequences of the Black Death?
5. /What was the Pre-Noachian period on Mars?
6. /What was the last imperial forum built in ancient Rome?
7. /What is a warrant under general law?
8. /What role do marine microorganisms play in biogeochemical cycles?