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On nitrogen fixation and preferential remineralization of phosphorus
Author(s) -
Monteiro F. M.,
Follows M. J.
Publication year - 2012
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 - 10.1029/2012gl050897
Subject(s) - remineralisation , thermocline , redfield ratio , nitrogen , nitrogen fixation , environmental science , phosphorus , oceanography , environmental chemistry , organic matter , biogeochemistry , denitrification , nutrient , chemistry , geology , inorganic chemistry , phytoplankton , organic chemistry , fluoride
Regional and global nitrogen fixation rates are often estimated from geochemical tracers related to N* (= NO 3 − − 16PO 4 3− ). However the patterns of this tracer reflect the influence of numerous processes including nitrogen fixation, denitrification, remineralization of organic matter, variable stoichiometry, atmospheric deposition and physical transport. Here we have used idealized models to illustrate how preferential remineralization of organic phosphorous may explain observed features of N* distribution in the North Atlantic Ocean, including a subsurface maximum and an increased temporal variability in the mid‐thermocline. If preferential remineralization of phosphorus is key in shaping the oceanic distribution of N*, published estimates of nitrogen fixation may be underestimating the marine nitrogen fixation rate by as much as a factor of three.