Document Detail


Global oceanic production of nitrous oxide.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  22451110     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
We use transient time distributions calculated from tracer data together with in situ measurements of nitrous oxide (N(2)O) to estimate the concentration of biologically produced N(2)O and N(2)O production rates in the ocean on a global scale. Our approach to estimate the N(2)O production rates integrates the effects of potentially varying production and decomposition mechanisms along the transport path of a water mass. We estimate that the oceanic N(2)O production is dominated by nitrification with a contribution of only approximately 7 per cent by denitrification. This indicates that previously used approaches have overestimated the contribution by denitrification. Shelf areas may account for only a negligible fraction of the global production; however, estuarine sources and coastal upwelling of N(2)O are not taken into account in our study. The largest amount of subsurface N(2)O is produced in the upper 500 m of the water column. The estimated global annual subsurface N(2)O production ranges from 3.1 ± 0.9 to 3.4 ± 0.9 Tg N yr(-1). This is in agreement with estimates of the global N(2)O emissions to the atmosphere and indicates that a N(2)O source in the mixed layer is unlikely. The potential future development of the oceanic N(2)O source in view of the ongoing changes of the ocean environment (deoxygenation, warming, eutrophication and acidification) is discussed.
Authors:
Alina Freing; Douglas W R Wallace; Hermann W Bange
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences     Volume:  367     ISSN:  1471-2970     ISO Abbreviation:  Philos. Trans. R. Soc. Lond., B, Biol. Sci.     Publication Date:  2012 May 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2012-03-27     Completed Date:  2012-10-16     Revised Date:  2013-05-20    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  7503623     Medline TA:  Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci     Country:  England    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  1245-55     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
GEOMAR/Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Kiel, Germany.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Nitrification
Nitrous Oxide / analysis,  metabolism*
Oceans and Seas
Water Microbiology*
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
10024-97-2/Nitrous Oxide
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