Biological fixation of atmospheric nitrogen in the Mediterranean Sea

Journal Article · Sat Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1986 · Limnol. Oceanogr.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.4319/lo.1986.31.6.1353· OSTI ID:6440209

Bethoux, J P; Copin-Montegut, G

Nutrient concentration in the Mediterranean Sea is controlled by water exchanges through the Strait of Gibraltar and by atmospheric and terrestrial inputs. Various peculiarities in the nitrogen and phosphorus geochemical cycles are pointed out, namely a low N:P atomic ratio (6.4) in terrestrial discharges, and a budget well balanced for phosphorus (where terrestrial discharges amount to about 80% of the outflow) but apparently very deficient in nitrogen, despite a high N:P atomic ratio (22), in Mediterranean deep waters. This suggests the possibility of a surprisingly high rate of direct atmospheric N uptake by the Mediterranean ecosystem (possibly seagrasses Posidonia oceanica and pelagic bacterioplankton species).

• Research Organization: Universite Paris VI, Villefranche sur Mer, France
• OSTI ID: 6440209
• Journal Information: Limnol. Oceanogr.; (United States), Journal Name: Limnol. Oceanogr.; (United States) Vol. 31:6; ISSN LIOCA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

520200* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
BACTERIA
BIOGEOCHEMISTRY
CHEMISTRY
ECOSYSTEMS
ENERGY BUDGETS
GEOCHEMISTRY
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
MEDITERRANEAN SEA
MICROORGANISMS
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN FIXATION
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHOSPHORUS COMPOUNDS
PLANKTON
SEAS
SEAWATER
SURFACE WATERS
WATER