High sensitivity of ultra-oligotrophic marine ecosystems to atmospheric nitrogen deposition

Using a model of plankton and organic-matter cycling we demonstrate that variable stoichiometric ratios can lead to a more than 5-fold higher sensitivity of simulated carbon export to atmospheric N deposition in the ultra-oligotrophic eastern part of the North Atlantic subtropical gyre compared to the westerly oligotrophic region near Bermuda, often used as a reference site for subtropical regions. Stronger nutrient limitation in the ultra-oligotrophic east causes higher phytoplankton C: N ratios and lower carbon assimilation efficiency of zooplankton in the model, which results in a higher export efficiency of carbon to the deep ocean compared to the less nutrient-limited western site. Our results indicate that previous estimates of oceanic carbon uptake associated with atmospheric nitrogen deposition may not be fully robust and that spatial variability in nutrient stress and ecological stoichiometry could significantly affect the biogeochemical impact of increasing atmospheric deposition of anthropogenic nitrogen. Citation: Mourino-Carballido, B., M. Pahlow, and A. Oschlies ( 2012), High sensitivity of ultra-oligotrophic marine ecosystems to atmospheric nitrogen deposition, Geophys. Res. Lett., 39, L05601, doi:10.1029/2011GL050606.