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Stability of the marine nitrogen cycle over the past 165 million years

Author

Listed:
  • Linda V. Godfrey

    (Rutgers University)

  • Anne Willem Omta

    (Case Western Reserve University)

  • Eli Tziperman

    (Harvard University)

  • Xiang Li

    (Peking University)

  • Yongyun Hu

    (Peking University
    Peking University)

  • Paul G. Falkowski

    (Rutgers University
    Rutgers University)

Abstract

Nitrogen and phosphorus are the two macro-nutrients that limit biological productivity in the ocean. While the supply of P depends on geological processes, N is biologically supplied from an inexhaustible atmospheric source, but can be limited by micro-nutrients, especially iron. Here we present a record of N and C isotopes over the past 165 Ma in marine sediments to address feedbacks between the N-cycle and productivity. Over most of the last 165 Myr, the fixed N averaged +3.2‰, (−2 and +9‰), but higher in distal areas of the ocean due to limited vertical mixing. Using an isotope box model and a coupled climate model we show that this is caused by winds that induce upwelling changing due to continental meander. Upwelling along low latitude east-west orientated Tethyan coastlines results in low δ15N, while upwelling along narrow N-S coastlines as it does today, results in high δ15N due to denitrification.

Suggested Citation

  • Linda V. Godfrey & Anne Willem Omta & Eli Tziperman & Xiang Li & Yongyun Hu & Paul G. Falkowski, 2025. "Stability of the marine nitrogen cycle over the past 165 million years," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-13, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-63604-x
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-63604-x
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Wei-Lei Wang & J. Keith Moore & Adam C. Martiny & François W. Primeau, 2019. "Convergent estimates of marine nitrogen fixation," Nature, Nature, vol. 566(7743), pages 205-211, February.
    2. S. T. Dyhrman & P. D. Chappell & S. T. Haley & J. W. Moffett & E. D. Orchard & J. B. Waterbury & E. A. Webb, 2006. "Phosphonate utilization by the globally important marine diazotroph Trichodesmium," Nature, Nature, vol. 439(7072), pages 68-71, January.
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