Preprints
https://doi.org/10.22541/essoar.168394764.42259309/v1
https://doi.org/10.22541/essoar.168394764.42259309/v1
20 Nov 2023
 | 20 Nov 2023

Elemental Stoichiometry of Particulate Organic Matter across the Atlantic Ocean

Adam James Fagan, Tatsuro Tanioka, Alyse Larkin, Jenna Alyson Lee, Nathan Garcia, and Adam Camillo Martiny

Abstract. Recent studies show that stoichiometric elemental ratios of marine ecosystems are not static at Redfield proportions but vary systematically between biomes. However, the wider Atlantic Ocean is under-sampled for particulate organic matter (POM) elemental composition, especially as it comes to phosphorus. Thus, it is uncertain how environmental variation in this region translates into shifts in C:N:P. To address this, we analyzed hydrography, genomics, and POM concentrations from 877 stations on the meridional transects AMT28 and C13.5, spanning the Atlantic Ocean. We observed nutrient-replete, high-latitude ecosystem C:N:P to be significantly lower than the oligotrophic gyres. Latitudinal and meridional differences in elemental stoichiometry were linked to overall nutrient supply as well as N vs. P limitation. C:P and N:P were generally higher in the P-stressed northern region compared to southern hemisphere regions. We also detected a zonal difference linked to a westward deepening nutricline and a shift from N to P limitation. We also evaluated possible seasonal changes in C:N:P across the basin and predicted these ratios to be limited. Overall, this study confirms latitudinal shifts in surface ocean POM ratios but reveals previously unrecognized hemisphere and zonal gradients. This work demonstrates the importance of understanding how regional shifts in hydrography and type of nutrient stress shape the coupling between Atlantic Ocean nutrient and carbon cycles.

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Journal article(s) based on this preprint

30 Sep 2024
Elemental stoichiometry of particulate organic matter across the Atlantic Ocean
Adam J. Fagan, Tatsuro Tanioka, Alyse A. Larkin, Jenna A. Lee, Nathan S. Garcia, and Adam C. Martiny
Biogeosciences, 21, 4239–4250, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-4239-2024,https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-4239-2024, 2024
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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.

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Climate change is anticipated to influence the biological pump by altering phytoplankton...
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