Biogeochemical signatures of nitrogen fixation in the eastern North Atlantic | Zendy

Mahaffey Claire | Zendy; Williams Richard G. | Zendy; Wolff George A. | Zendy; Mahowald Natalie | Zendy; Anderson William | Zendy; Woodward Malcolm | Zendy

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Biogeochemical signatures of nitrogen fixation in the eastern North Atlantic

Author(s) -

Mahaffey Claire,

Williams Richard G.,

Wolff George A.,

Mahowald Natalie,

Anderson William,

Woodward Malcolm

Publication year - 2003

Publication title -

geophysical research letters

Language(s) - English

Resource type - Journals

SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007

H-Index - 273

eISSN - 1944-8007

pISSN - 0094-8276

DOI - 10.1029/2002gl016542

Subject(s) - biogeochemical cycle , particulates , thermocline , nitrogen , environmental science , oceanography , phytoplankton , isotopes of nitrogen , nitrogen fixation , biogeochemistry , atmospheric sciences , geology , environmental chemistry , nutrient , ecology , chemistry , biology , organic chemistry

Stable nitrogen isotopic determination of particulate organic matter over the eastern North Atlantic in spring 2000 reveal a region of low natural abundance of 15 N relative to 14 N between 26°N and 32°N along 20°W. This light isotopic signal, together with phytopigment data and persistently elevated nitrate to phosphate ratios in the upper thermocline, suggest that nitrogen fixation provides a local dominant supply of nitrogen to phytoplankton over part of the eastern North Atlantic. These independent biogeochemical proxies are coincident with a region of enhanced atmospheric dust deposition, as suggested by an atmospheric transport model. Hence, the atmospheric dust events may spatially and temporally constrain the distribution of N 2 fixers.

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