Ocean process tracers: nitrogen isotopes in the ocean

摘要: Introduction Nitrogen has two stable isotopes, N and (atomic masses of 14 15, respectively). is the more abundant two, comprising 99.63% nitrogen found in nature. Physical, chemical, biological processes discriminate between leading to subtle but measurable differences ratio among different forms marine environment. a central component biomass one major nutrients required by all phytoplankton. In this sense, biologically available (or ‘fixed’, i.e., non-N2) representative fundamental patterns biogeochemical cycling ocean. However, differs from other that its oceanic sources sinks are dominantly internal biological, with N2 fixation supplying much fixed ocean denitrification removing it. The isotopes provide means studying both input/output budget within overview, we outline isotope systematics cycle their impacts on isotopic composition reservoirs This information provides starting point for considering wide range questions sciences which can be applied.