International Journal of Marine Science, 2024, Vol.14, No.5, 304-311 http://www.aquapublisher.com/index.php/ijms 304 Research Perspective Open Access Marine Biogeochemical Processes and Ecosystem Evolution: Observational and Predictive Approaches Liting Wang, Haimei Wang Hainan Institute of Biotechnology, Haikou, 570206, Hainan, China Corresponding author: haimei.wang@hibio.org International Journal of Marine Science, 2024, Vol.14, No.5, doi: 10.5376/ijms.2024.14.0034 Received: 15 Jul., 2024 Accepted: 30 Aug., 2024 Published: 17 Sep., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Wang and Wang, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproductio4n in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Wang L.T., and Wang H.M., 2024, Marine biogeochemical processes and ecosystem evolution: observational and predictive approaches, International Journal of Marine Science, 14(5): 304-311 (doi: 10.5376/ijms.2024.14.0034) Abstract This study provides an overview of the importance of marine biogeochemical cycles and their impact on ecosystem evolution, explores major biogeochemical processes such as carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, and iron, and analyzes how these processes drive the long-term evolution of marine ecosystems. It also summarizes observational methods for studying marine biogeochemistry, including remote sensing, in situ measurement, and long-term observational networks, and discusses the application of climate models and ecosystem predictive models in describing the evolution of marine ecosystems, as well as the challenges encountered in modeling. The study emphasizes the development of observation and prediction methods to support long-term monitoring and scientific management of ecosystems. Keywords Marine biogeochemical processes; Carbon cycle; Ecosystem evolution; Remote sensing; Predictive models 1 Introduction Marine biogeochemical cycles are fundamental processes that govern the transformation and movement of bioessential elements such as carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) within marine ecosystems. These cycles are driven primarily by microorganisms through their metabolic activities, which include energy harvesting from light and inorganic chemical bonds for autotrophic carbon fixation. The interconnectedness of these cycles with energy fluxes across the biosphere is crucial for maintaining the structure and function of marine ecosystems (Dang and Chen, 2017; Grabowski et al., 2019). For instance, the marine nitrogen cycle involves multiple biogeochemical transformations mediated by microorganisms, which play a critical role in primary productivity and the uptake of atmospheric carbon dioxide (Pajares and Ramos, 2019). Similarly, the phosphorus cycle, which is tightly controlled by microbial processes, is essential for marine productivity and ecosystem structure (Duhamel et al., 2021). Understanding the evolution of marine ecosystems is vital for predicting how these systems will respond to environmental changes. Marine microorganisms, which drive biogeochemical cycles, are currently facing unprecedented anthropogenic changes, including shifts in seawater pH, temperature, and nutrient availability 7. These changes can have profound impacts on the biogeography, community structure, and adaptive evolution of marine microorganisms, ultimately affecting large-scale biogeochemical cycles (Hutchins and Fu, 2017). The role of redox-active compounds in aquatic systems highlights the importance of fluctuating redox conditions in maintaining high reactivity and influencing biogeochemical element cycles (Peiffer et al., 2021). The evolution of these processes over time is crucial for understanding the resilience and adaptability of marine ecosystems in the face of global change. This study comprehensively analyzes marine biogeochemical processes and ecosystem evolution through observation and prediction methods, exploring the coupling of carbon and energy fluxes in the marine environment, especially in the subtropical circulation of the North Pacific. It evaluates the application and limitations of biogeochemical models in different marine environments, further discusses the thermodynamic principles behind marine biogeochemical cycles and their impact on ecosystem modeling, in order to enhance our understanding of the mechanisms and predictions of marine biogeochemical cycles and their role in ecosystem evolution.
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