Examining the potential link between N2 fixation and copepods in the northern South China Sea

This project investigates nitrogen-fixing microbial communities in the euphotic zone of the South China Sea, with a focus on both free-living diazotrophs and those associated with zooplankton, particularly copepods. Seawater samples and zooplankton were collected during oceanographic cruises, and high-throughput sequencing of nitrogen-fixation-related genes (e.g., nifH) was conducted to explore the diversity and potential activity of diazotrophs in different ecological niches. The dataset provides insights into the composition and spatial variability of nitrogen-fixing microbes in the oligotrophic tropical ocean, with special emphasis on the possible contribution of copepod-associated diazotrophs to marine nitrogen cycling.