Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2022-561
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2022-561
20 Jul 2022
 | 20 Jul 2022

Marine nitrogen fixation as a possible source of atmospheric water-soluble organic nitrogen aerosols in the subtropical North Pacific

Tsukasa Dobashi, Yuzo Miyazaki, Eri Tachibana, Kazutaka Takahashi, Sachiko Horii, Yoko Iwamoto, Shu-Kuan Wong, and Koji Hamasaki

Abstract. Water-soluble organic nitrogen (WSON) in marine atmospheric aerosols affect the water-solubility, acidity, and light-absorbing properties of aerosol particles, which are important parameters in assessing both the climate impact and the biogeochemical cycling of bioelements. Size-segregated aerosol and surface seawater (SSW) samples were simultaneously collected over the subtropical North Pacific to investigate the origin of WSON in the marine atmosphere. The fine-mode WSON concentration (7.5±6.6 ngN m−3) at 200–240º E along 23º N defined as the eastern North Pacific (ENP) was significantly higher than that (2.4±1.9 ngN m−3) at 135–200º E, defined as the western North Pacific (WNP). Analysis of the stable carbon isotope ratio of water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC) (δ13CWSOC) together with backward trajectory indicated that most of the observed WSON in the fine particles in the ENP originated from the ocean surface. We found a significant positive correlation between the WSON concentrations and nitrogen fixation rate in SSW. The result indicates that reactive nitrogen (dissolved organic nitrogen and ammonium), produced and exuded by nitrogen-fixing microorganisms in SSW, contributed to the formation of WSON aerosols. This study provides new insights into the role of ocean-derived reactive nitrogen aerosols associated with marine microbial activity.

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Journal article(s) based on this preprint

27 Jan 2023
Marine nitrogen fixation as a possible source of atmospheric water-soluble organic nitrogen aerosols in the subtropical North Pacific
Tsukasa Dobashi, Yuzo Miyazaki, Eri Tachibana, Kazutaka Takahashi, Sachiko Horii, Fuminori Hashihama, Saori Yasui-Tamura, Yoko Iwamoto, Shu-Kuan Wong, and Koji Hamasaki
Biogeosciences, 20, 439–449, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-439-2023,https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-439-2023, 2023
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The requested preprint has a corresponding peer-reviewed final revised paper. You are encouraged to refer to the final revised version.

Short summary
Water-soluble organic nitrogen (WSON) in marine aerosols is important for biogeochemical cycling...
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