Natural Partnership: Algae and Bacteria Transforming Nitrogen

In a recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), scientists discovered how a partnership between algae and bacteria acts as a natural machine to convert nitrogen from the air into nutrients that feed river ecosystems without the need for fertilizers or pollution. This hidden nutrient factory boosts aquatic insect populations, which are crucial for the growth and survival of young salmon.

Scientists’ Discovery: The Role of Epithemia Diatoms

At the heart of this discovery is a type of diatom, a single-celled aquatic plant with a glass-like shell, called Epithemia. This diatom plays a significant role in maintaining river productivity, as each diatom hosts bacterial partners known as diazoplasts, small units that fix nitrogen and convert it into plant food.

Epithemia diatoms capture sunlight and produce sugar, which the diazoplasts use to transform atmospheric nitrogen into a nutritious form. In return, the diazoplasts provide nitrogen that helps the diatoms continue photosynthesis.

The Importance of Environmental Partnerships in Rivers

This natural partnership serves as a clean nutrient pipeline from sunlight to fish, without the runoff that creates harmful algae blooms. Professor Jane Marks, a biology professor at Northern Arizona University, noted that this partnership demonstrates how river ecosystems can thrive through ecological interactions.

In late summer, green algae strands called Cladophora are covered with rust-colored Epithemia diatoms along the Eel River. At this stage, the algae-bacteria duo provides up to 90% of the new nitrogen entering the river food web, supplying the insect pests with the fuel they need and enhancing salmon growth from the bottom up.

Impact of the Partnership on Global Ecosystems

This partnership is not limited to the Eel River; similar diatom and diazoplast teams inhabit rivers, lakes, and oceans worldwide, often in nitrogen-scarce areas. This means they quietly boost productivity in many other ecosystems.

Beyond their role in nature, this clean and efficient nutrient exchange could inspire new technologies such as more efficient biofuels, pollution-free natural fertilizers, or even genetically modified crops that produce their own nitrogen, reducing costs for farmers and minimizing environmental impacts.

Conclusion

When nature designs solutions with such elegance, it reminds us of what is possible when people, places, and discoveries unite. This study not only provides a new understanding of important ecological interactions but also opens the door to future applications that could enhance environmental and agricultural sustainability. Exploring such partnerships in nature enhances our appreciation for the vital role microorganisms play in supporting life on Earth.