Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-28-2006

Department

Marine Science

Abstract

Nitrogen fixation process may supply a significant fraction of bioavailable nitrogen to surface waters, increase the oceanic sequestration of atmospheric CO2, and alter the distribution of geochemical parameters. We report a zonal pattern of delta N-15 and delta C-13 in particulate organic matter (POM), and ratios of particulate Po-210 to dissolved Po-210 along a transect through the subtropical and tropical North Pacific. Both N-15 and Po-210 signals indicated an enhanced N-2 fixation in the northwestern subtropical North Pacific. The eastward decrease of N-2 fixation along this transect testified the role of aeolian Fe and P in controlling marine N-2 fixation. Associated with the zonal variations of N-15 and Po-210, the delta C-13 of suspended POM increased eastward, reflecting the decrease of anthropogenic CO2 concentration in surface seawater from west to east in the study area. Our results highlight the need to examine more closely the mechanisms of possible longitudinal variation in N-2 fixation in the ocean and the role of aeolian Fe and P in controlling marine N-2 fixation and anthropogenic CO2.

Comments

©Geophysical Research Letters
DOI: 10.1029/2005GL025186

Publication Title

Geophysical Research Letters

Volume

33

Issue

4

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