NSF Org:	OCE Division Of Ocean Sciences
Recipient:	THE MARINE BIOLOGICAL LABORATORY
Initial Amendment Date:	September 18, 2009
Latest Amendment Date:	September 18, 2009
Award Number:	0927400
Award Instrument:	Standard Grant
Program Manager:	Donald L. Rice OCE  Division Of Ocean Sciences GEO  Directorate for Geosciences
Start Date:	September 15, 2009
End Date:	August 31, 2013 (Estimated)
Total Intended Award Amount:	$262,558.00
Total Awarded Amount to Date:	$262,558.00
Funds Obligated to Date:	FY 2009 = $262,558.00
ARRA Amount:	$262,558.00
History of Investigator:	Anne Giblin (Principal Investigator) agiblin@mbl.edu
Recipient Sponsored Research Office:	Marine Biological Laboratory 7 M B L ST WOODS HOLE MA  US  02543-1015 (508)289-7243
Sponsor Congressional District:	09
Primary Place of Performance:	Marine Biological Laboratory 7 M B L ST WOODS HOLE MA  US  02543-1015
Primary Place of Performance Congressional District:	09
Unique Entity Identifier (UEI):	M2XKLRTA9G44
Parent UEI:	M2XKLRTA9G44
NSF Program(s):	Chemical Oceanography
Primary Program Source:	01R00910DB RRA RECOVERY ACT
Program Reference Code(s):	6890, 9198, EGCH
Program Element Code(s):	167000
Award Agency Code:	4900
Fund Agency Code:	4900
Assistance Listing Number(s):	47.050

ABSTRACT

"This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5)."

Although the various pathways of nitrogen exchange at the sediment-water interface are critical to our understanding of ecosystem functions, existing nitrogen budgets underestimate the amount of nitrogen fixation taking place in the open ocean and marine sediments. Recent findings regarding the role of nitrogen fixation and denitrification in coastal systems suggest that nitrogen fixation may play a more significant role than previously believed. To address this, marine chemists from the Marine Biological Laboratory, Boston University, and the University of Rhode Island are examining the role of nitrogen fixation and the environmental controls of the N2 flux in coastal shelf sediments. Using a mixture of field sampling and laboratory analyses, these scientists will identify the organisms responsible for nitrogen fixation and trace the fate of nitrogen fixed in marine sediments. The results from this research will enhance the understanding of the environmental factors that control the nitrogen balance of marine ecosystems and the oceans as a whole. In addition to this research providing a greater understanding of the marine nitrogen cycle, it will provide outreach and education opportunities for the Girls Scouts of Rhode Island, as well as, support for multiple graduate students.

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