Iron enrichment reduces nitrogen fixation rates in the Red Sea coral Pocillopora verrucosa

What is it about?

Here we investigate the effects of > 10x enriched iron concentrations on productivity and nitrogen fixation activity associated with the coral holobiont P. verrucosa. Results show that iron enrichment caused increased holobiont respiration rates as well reduced nitrogen fixation activity.

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Why is it important?

Previous studies suggested coral holobionts may be iron limited. Here, however, we show that iron limitation is not a common feature of all corals, but may be restricted to certain geographic regions.