Molybdenum: More than an essential element

Molybdenum (Mo) is an essential element for almost all living organisms. After being taken up into the cells as molybdate, Mo is incorporated into the molybdenum cofactor, which functions as the active site of several molybdenum-requiring enzymes and thus plays crucial roles in multiple biological processes. The uptake and transport of molybdate is mainly mediated by two types of molybdate transporters. The homeostasis of Mo in plants cells is tightly controlled and such homeostasis likely plays vital roles for plants to adapt to local environment. Recent evidence suggests that Mo is more than an essential element required for plant growth and development but is also involved in local adaptation to coastal salinity environment. In this review, we summarize recent research progress on the molybdate uptake and transport, molybdenum homeostasis network in plants and discuss the potential roles of molybdate transporter in plant adaptation to local environment.

The coastal salinity budget of the Southeastern Pacific Ocean

<p>As one of the most productive ecosystems in the world, the Southeastern Pacific Ocean (SPO) coastal zone is economically important to the countries of the region. Dynamically the SPO coastal zone is influenced by the Patagonian Icefields and the large-scale circulation of the open Pacific Ocean, both of which are sensitive to climate change and modes of climate variability, particularly El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO). Due to a paucity of observations, however, the dynamics of this region are still poorly understood.  Here we use the coastal salinity budget as a means of investigating the dynamics of the SPO coastal zone and its relationship with the deeper ocean and Patagonian Icefields, through a combination of high-resolution ocean modelling, satellite observations, and reanalysis data. First, the long-term trends and interannual fluctuations, and their relationship to modes of climate variability are presented. Next, the salinity budget is examined, and the primary balances are quantified. We find that the salinity is primarily governed by the balance between freshwater input and horizontal advection. Finally, we assess the ability of satellite and in-situ observations and reanalysis products to diagnose SPO coastal salinity budget.</p>