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Genomic-to-space measurements reveal large-scale ocean nutrient stress.

Bibliographic Details
Title: Genomic-to-space measurements reveal large-scale ocean nutrient stress.
Authors: Martiny AC; Department of Earth System Science, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA.; Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA.; National Institute of Aquatic Resources, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark., Ustick LJ; Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA., Westberry TK; Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA., Behrenfeld MJ; Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA.
Source: Science advances [Sci Adv] 2026 Jun 05; Vol. 12 (23), pp. eaed8089. Date of Electronic Publication: 2026 Jun 05.
Publication Type: Journal Article
Language: English
Journal Info: Publisher: American Association for the Advancement of Science Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 101653440 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 2375-2548 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 23752548 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Sci Adv Subsets: MEDLINE
Imprint Name(s): Original Publication: Washington, DC : American Association for the Advancement of Science, [2015]-
MeSH Terms: Phytoplankton*/genetics , Phytoplankton*/metabolism , Phytoplankton*/growth & development , Nutrients*/metabolism , Genomics*/methods , Seawater*/chemistry , Oceans and Seas* , Stress, Physiological*, Nitrogen/metabolism ; Biomass ; Seasons
Abstract: Phytoplankton growth and ocean primary production depend on a nutrient supply that fluctuates across seasonal to millennial timescales. Because surface nutrients and phytoplankton biomass recycle rapidly, they obscure the large-scale pattern of nutrient stress. Here, we integrate a satellite-derived index of phytoplankton physiology with hydrographic observations, omics biomarkers, and nutrient-addition experiments to understand the drivers of ocean nutrient stress. A clear biogeography emerges. Nutrient stress tracks nutricline depth and is stronger in nitrogen- than phosphate-limited waters, peaking where cells exploit rarer alternative nutrients. Seasonal variability dominates, but there are also clear signatures of major climate modes. Over the past two decades, surface warming has broadly intensified nutrient stress. A key exception is in southern hemisphere oligotrophic regions, where enhanced nitrogen fixation appears to offset stratification effects. This synthesis of hydrography, genomics, and satellite physiology exposes contemporary, climate-linked shifts in the large-scale distribution of phytoplankton nutrient stress.
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Substance Nomenclature: N762921K75 (Nitrogen)
Entry Date(s): Date Created: 20260605 Date Completed: 20260610 Latest Revision: 20260813
Update Code: 20260813
PubMed Central ID: PMC13240183
DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aed8089
PMID: 42247500
Database: MEDLINE
Description
ISSN:2375-2548
DOI:10.1126/sciadv.aed8089