Impact of glacial/interglacial sea level change on the ocean nitrogen cycle
Journal
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Journal Volume
114
Journal Issue
33
Pages
E6759-E6766
Date Issued
2017
Author(s)
Sigman, D.M.
Martínez-García, A.
Anderson, R.F.
Chen, M.-T.
Ravelo, A.C.
Straub, M.
Wong, G.T.F.
Haug, G.H.
Abstract
fixation changes are best explained as a response to changes in regional excess phosphorus supply due to sea level-driven variations in shallow sediment denitrification associated with the cyclic drowning and emergence of the continental shelves. This hypothesis is consistent with a glacial ocean that hosted globally lower rates of fixed N input and loss and a longer residence time for oceanic fixed N-a "sluggish" ocean N budget during ice ages. In addition, this work provides a clear sign of sea level-driven glacial/interglacial oscillations in biogeochemical fluxes at and near the ocean margins, with implications for coastal organisms and ecosystems.
Type
journal article