Unbalanced reduction of nutrient loads has created an offshore gradient from phosphorus to nitrogen limitation in the N orth S ea

Measures to reduce eutrophication have often led to a more effective decline of phosphorus (P) than nitrogen (N) concentrations. The resultant changes in riverine nutrient loads can cause an increase in the N : P ratios of coastal waters. During four research cruises along a 450 km transect, we investigated how reductions in nutrient inputs during the past 25 yr have affected nutrient limitation patterns in the North Sea. This revealed a strong offshore gradient of dissolved inorganic N : P ratios in spring, from 375 : 1 nearshore toward 1 : 1 in the central North Sea. This gradient was reflected in high nearshore N : P and C : P ratios of particulate organic matter (mainly phytoplankton), indicative of severe P deficiency of coastal phytoplankton, which may negatively affect higher trophic levels in the food web. Nutrient enrichment bioassays performed on‐board showed P and Si limitation of phytoplankton growth nearshore, co‐limitation of N and P in a transitional region, and N limitation in the outer‐shore waters, confirming the existence of an offshore gradient from P to N limitation. Different species were limited by different nutrients, indicating that further reductions of P loads without concomitant reductions of N loads will suppress colonial Phaeocystis blooms, but will be less effective in diminishing harmful algal blooms by dino‐ and nanoflagellates. Hence, our results provide evidence that de‐eutrophication efforts in northwestern Europe have led to a large imbalance in the N : P stoichiometry of coastal waters of the North Sea, with major consequences for the growth, species composition, and nutritional quality of marine phytoplankton communities.