Episodic atmospheric nitrogen deposition to oligotrophic oceans

• Published in: Nature (London) Vol. 357; no. 6377; pp. 397 - 399
• Main Authors: Owens, N. J. P, Galloway, J. N, Duce
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing 04.06.1992; Nature Publishing Group
• Subjects: Atmosphere; Chemicals; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Exact sciences and technology; Geochemistry; Geochemistry: general, methodology, regional studies; Nitrogen; Oceans; Phytoplankton; Bermuda; Indian Ocean; Atlantic Ocean Islands; Atlantic Ocean; Atmospheric fallout; Human activity; Nitrogen balance; world ocean; nitrogen; Fossil fuel; pollution; Anthropogenic factor
• ISSN: 0028-0836; 1476-4687
• DOI: 10.1038/357397a0

PHYTOPLANKTON production is generally thought to be limited by nitrogen availability over large regions of the ocean, particularly oligotrophic areas. The largest source of nitrogen to these regions is transport from deep waters. Atmospheric deposition is also a source of nitrogen to the oceans1 ,2 but previous assessments of these inputs, based on calculations of annual deposition3,4suggest that they are of minor importance for oceanic production. Using a nine-year record of nitrogen deposition, we re-evaluate here the contribution of atmospheric nitrogen inputs to the ocean and show that these can contribute to an important proportion of 'new production' during episodic events. Furthermore, as human activities such as fossil-fuel burning contribute significant quantities of inorganic nitrogen to the atmosphere5,6we suggest that the atmospheric input of nitrogen to the oceans is a route whereby these activities might directly influence (by increasing) oceanic productivity.