A Test of the Diatom-Bound Paleopr Tracing the Isotopic Composition of Nutrient-Nitrogen Into Southern Ocean Particles and Sediments
Document Type
Article
Date of Original Version
10-1-2020
Abstract
Sedimentary nitrogen isotope (as δ15N) records from the Southern Ocean provide critical constraints on surface nutrient consumption in the past and the role of Southern Ocean biophysical changes in setting atmospheric pCO2. We present a field assessment of how surface nitrate consumption is reflected in δ15N values of total nitrogen and diatom-bound nitrogen pools of particles and sediments across the Southern Ocean along 170°W during late austral summer. Mixed layer nitrate δ15N values increase northwards associated with greater nitrate drawdown. Particles and sediments are expected to follow this trend. Contrary to expectations, surface ocean particle total nitrogen and diatom-bound δ15N values decreased northward during the late summer, likely due to recycling of nitrogen and the assimilation of regenerated ammonium, as well as nitrate. The relationship between δ15N values of the total nitrogen and diatom-bound pools remains relatively constant across this Southern Ocean transect, suggesting that the isotopic composition of these two surface ocean nitrogen pools are largely set by the δ15N value(s) of the assimilated nutrient(s). Surface sediment δ15N values do increase away from the region of maximum biogenic silica deposition, suggesting that the recycled nitrogen isotopic signal observed in late summer particles may not significantly impact the sedimentary record. However, the enrichment in δ15N values of the diatom-bound pool is greater than what is expected from progressive utilization of the surface nitrate alone and not yet explained.
Publication Title, e.g., Journal
Global Biogeochemical Cycles
Volume
34
Issue
10
Citation/Publisher Attribution
Robinson, Rebecca S., Colin A. Jones, Roger P. Kelly, Amanda Love, Ivia Closset, Patrick A. Rafter, and Mark Brzezinski. "A Test of the Diatom-Bound Paleopr Tracing the Isotopic Composition of Nutrient-Nitrogen Into Southern Ocean Particles and Sediments." Global Biogeochemical Cycles 34, 10 (2020). doi: 10.1029/2019GB006508.