Nitrogen fixation rates in the eastern Arabian Sea

The Arabian Sea experiences bloom of the diazotroph Trichodesmium during certain times of the year when optimal sea surface temperature and oligotrophic condition favour their growth. We measured nitrogen fixation rates in the euphotic zone during one such event in the Eastern Arabian Sea using N-15(2) tracer gas dissolution method. The measured rates varied between 0.8 and 225 mu mol N m(-3) d(-1) and were higher than those reported from most other oceanic regions. The highest rates (1739 mu mol N m(-2) d(-1); 0-10 m) coincided with the growth phase of Trichodesmium and led to low delta N-15 (<2%(0)) of particulate organic matter. At stations not experiencing Trichodesmium bloom nitrogen fixation rates were low (0.9-1.5 mu mol N m(-3) d(-1)). Due to episodic events of diazotroph bloom, contribution of N-2 fixation to the total nitrogen pool may vary in space and time. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.