An eddy-stimulated hotspot for fixed nitrogen-loss from the Peru oxygen minimum zone

M. A. Altabet, E. Ryabenko, L. Stramma, D. W. R. Wallace, M. Frank, P. Grasse, G. Lavik
2012 Biogeosciences Discussions  
Fixed nitrogen (N) loss to biogenic N 2 in intense oceanic O 2 minimum zones (OMZ) accounts for a large fraction of the global N sink and is an essential control on the ocean's N-budget. However, major uncertainties exist regarding microbial pathways as well as net impact on the magnitude of N-loss and the ocean's overall N-budget. Here we report the discovery of a N-loss hotspot in the Peru OMZ associated with a coastally trapped mesoscale eddy that is marked by an extreme N-deficit matched by
more » ... biogenic N 2 production, high NO − 2 levels, and the highest isotope enrichments observed so far in OMZ's for the residual NO − 3 . High sea surface chlorophyll in seaward flowing streamers provides evidence for offshore eddy transport of highly productive, inshore water. Resulting pulses in the downward flux of particles likely stimulated heterotrophic dissimilatory NO − 3 reduction and subsequent production of biogenic N 2 within the OMZ. A shallower biogenic N 2 maximum within the oxycline is likely a feature advected by the eddy streamer from the shelf. Eddy-associated temporal-spatial heterogeneity of N-loss, mediated by a local succession of microbial processes, may explain inconsistencies observed among prior studies. Similar transient enhancements of N-loss likely occur within all other major OMZ's exerting a major influence on global ocean N and N isotope budgets.
doi:10.5194/bgd-9-8013-2012 fatcat:proocju2czhsriexaz7jdc5fwi