Contrasting biogeochemistry of nitrogen in the Atlantic and Pacific oxygen minimum zones.

Ryabenko, Evgeniya, Kock, Annette , Bange, Hermann W. , Altabet, M.A. and Wallace, Douglas W.R. (2012) Contrasting biogeochemistry of nitrogen in the Atlantic and Pacific oxygen minimum zones. Open Access Biogeosciences (BG), 9 . pp. 203-215. DOI 10.5194/bgd-8-8001-2011.

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Abstract

We present new data for the stable isotope ratio ofinorganic nitrogen species from the contrasting oxygen minimum zones (OMZs) of the Eastern Tropical North Atlantic, south of Cape Verde, and the Eastern Tropical South Pacific off Peru. Differences in minimum oxygen concentration and corresponding N-cycle processes for the two OMZs are reflected in strongly contrasting δ15N distributions. Pacific surface waters are marked by strongly positive values for δ15N-NO−3) reflecting fractionation associated withsubsurface N loss and partial NO−3 utilization. This contrasts with negative values in NO−3 depleted surface waters of the Atlantic which are lower than can be explained by N supply via N2 fixation. We suggest the negative values reflect inputs of nitrate, possibly transient, associated withdeposition of Saharan dust. Strong signals of N-loss processes in the subsurfacePacific OMZ are evident in the isotope and N2O data, both ofwhich are compatible with a contribution of canonical denitrification to overall N-loss. However the apparent N isotope fractionation factor observed is relatively low (ɛd=11.4 ‰) suggesting an effect of influence from denitrification in sediments. Identical positive correlation of N2O vs. AOU for waters with oxygen concentrations ([O2]<5 μmol l−1) in both regions reflect a nitrification source. Sharp decrease in N2O concentrations is observed in the Pacific OMZ due to denitrification under oxygen concentrations O2 <5 μmol l−1.

Document Type: Article
Additional Information: WOS:000300229000015
Keywords: Marine chemistry; Biogeochemistry; N-Cycling, 15N distribution; Oxygen minimum zones; tropical north-pacific; anaerobic ammonium oxidation; isotopic composition; arabian sea; chemical conversion; global distribution; nitrate reduction; deficient waters; oxide production; oceanic nitrate;
Research affiliation: OceanRep > SFB 754 > B4
OceanRep > SFB 754
OceanRep > SFB 754 > A5
OceanRep > SFB 754 > B6
OceanRep > GEOMAR > FB2 Marine Biogeochemistry > FB2-CH Chemical Oceanography
Refereed: Yes
Open Access Journal?: Yes
Publisher: Copernicus Publications (EGU)
Projects: CVOO, SOPRAN, SFB754, Future Ocean
Expeditions/Models/Experiments:
Date Deposited: 23 Aug 2011 12:54
Last Modified: 31 Jan 2023 05:26
URI: https://oceanrep.geomar.de/id/eprint/12035

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