Increased DIN Storage and ΔDIC/ΔDIN Ratio in the Subsurface Water of the Canada Basin, 1990-2015

The subsurface layer of the Canada Basin contains large reservoirs of dissolved inorganic nitrogen and carbon (DIN and DIC, respectively). Under rapid change of Arctic climate system, these reservoirs may not only serve as potential material bases for primary production, but also for carbon source and sink. However, the long-term trends in reservoirs and the interaction between reservoirs and the upper ocean are not fully understood. This study used two data sets to evaluate the long-term trends in the DIN and DIC reservoirs in the subsurface layer of the Canada Basin during 1990-2015. The results indicate an increase of similar to 35% in the subsurface DIN reservoir over 25 years, whereas the DIN concentration remained fairly constant. The discrepancy between the DIN reservoir and DIN concentration was primarily owing to the expansion of the subsurface layer, which increased the DIN stock but maintained a relatively stable DIN concentration. Additionally, the Delta DIC/Delta DIN ratio in the subsurface layer increased by similar to 33% over 25 years, primarily due to denitrification on the pathway of Pacific inflow, such as Chukchi shelf. In the Canada Basin, the enhanced mixing between the subsurface and surface layers may promote primary production and render the subsurface layer a carbon source. Consequently, when studying the biogeochemical cycles in the changing Arctic Ocean, the long-term interactions between the subsurface and surface layers in the Canada Basin should be further considered.

Automated summary

This study evaluates the long-term trends in the nitrogen and carbon reservoirs in the subsurface layer of the Canada Basin using two data sets from 1990 to 2015. The results show an increase in the subsurface nitrogen reservoir over 25 years, while the nitrogen concentration remained fairly constant. Additionally, the subsurface layer experienced an increase in the ratio between carbon and nitrogen. The study suggests that the enhanced mixing between the subsurface and surface layers may promote primary production and turn the subsurface layer into a carbon source.