Influence of atmospheric pollution on nutrient limitation in the ocean (original) (raw)

Nature volume 339, pages 460–463 (1989)Cite this article

Abstract

IN the midst of the debate over the ocean being phosphorus- or nitrogen-limited1,2, the 'acid rain' controversy prompted studies related to the atmospheric transport and delivery of pollutant nitrogen compounds over the ocean3–9. Some of those investigations concluded that atmospheric nitrogen had only minimal effects on euphotic-zone productivity7,8 or on nitrate at the Atlantic thermocline9, thus suggesting a negligible oceanic role for pollutant atmospheric nitrogen. Here I give evidence to the contrary, by clearly showing that, whereas nitrogen limitation is much more prevalent than phosphorus limitation in the surface ocean, those areas with the strongest indications of phosphorus limitation in the North Atlantic and North Pacific are downwind of the most populated and urbanized regions of eastern Asia and North America. This geographic coincidence and the timing and composition of atmospheric nitrogen deposition suggest a plausible, albeit untested, mechanism whereby airborne pollutant nitrogen can lead to phosphorus limitation.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Subscribe to this journal

Receive 51 print issues and online access

$199.00 per year

only $3.90 per issue

Buy this article

USD 39.95

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Additional access options:

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Doremus, C. Biol. Oceanogr. 1, 429–436 (1982).
    Google Scholar
  2. Smith, S. V. Limnol. Oceanogr. 29, 1149–1160 (1984).
    Article ADS CAS Google Scholar
  3. Church, T. M., Galloway, J. N., Jickells, T. D. & Knap, A. H. J. geophys. Res. 87, 11013–11018 (1982).
    Article ADS Google Scholar
  4. Jickells, T., Knap, A. H., Church, T., Galloway, J. & Miller, J. Nature 297, 55–57 (1982).
    Article ADS CAS Google Scholar
  5. Paerl, H. Nature 316, 747–749 (1985).
    Article ADS Google Scholar
  6. Galloway, J. N. & Whelpdale, D. M. Global biogeochem. Cycles 1, 261–281 (1987).
    Article ADS CAS Google Scholar
  7. Knap, A., Jickells, T., Pszenny, A. & Galloway, J. Nature 320, 158–160 (1986).
    Article ADS CAS Google Scholar
  8. Duce, R. A. in The Role of Air-Sea Exchange in Geochemical Cycling (ed. Buat-Menard, P.) 497–529 (Reidel, Dordrecht, 1986).
    Book Google Scholar
  9. Peng, T. H. & Broecker, W. S. J. geophys. Res. 89, 8170–8180 (1984).
    Article ADS CAS Google Scholar
  10. Bainbridge, A. E. GEOSECS Atlantic Expedition 1, Hydrographic Data 1972–1973 (US Government Printing Office, 1981).
  11. Broecker, W. S., Spencer, D. W. & Craig, H. GEOSECS Pacific Expedition 3, Hydrographic Data 1973–1974 (US Government Printing Office, 1982).
  12. Weiss, R. F., Broecker, W. S., Craig, H. & Spencer, D. W. GEOSECS Indian Ocean Expedition 5, Hydrographic Data 1977–1978, 48 (US Government Printing Office, 1983).
  13. Brewer, P. G., Sarmiento, J. L. & Smethie, W. M. Jr J. geophys. Res. 90, 6903–6905 (1985).
    Article ADS Google Scholar
  14. Takahashi, T., Broecker, W. S. & Langer, S. J. geophys. Res. 90, 6907–6924 (1985).
    Article ADS CAS Google Scholar
  15. Atlas, E. L., Hager, S. W., Gordon, L. I. & Park, P. K. A Practical Manual for Use of the Technicon Autoanalyzer in Seawater Nutrient Analyses Oregon State university ref. No. 71-22 (1971).
    Google Scholar
  16. Hager, S. W., Atlas, E. L., Gordon, L. I., Mantyla, A. W. & Park, P. K. Limnol. Oceanogr. 17, 931–937 (1972).
    Article ADS CAS Google Scholar
  17. Johnson, D. L. & Pilson, M. E. Q. Analytica chim. Acta 58, 289–299 (1972).
    Article CAS Google Scholar
  18. Andreae, M. O. Limnol. Oceanogr. 24, 440–452 (1979).
    Article ADS CAS Google Scholar
  19. Statham, P. J., Burton, J. D. & Maher, W. A. Deep-Sea Res. 34, 1353–1359 (1987).
    Article ADS CAS Google Scholar
  20. Johnson, D. L. & Pilson, M. E. Q. J. mar. Res. 30, 140–149 (1972).
    CAS Google Scholar
  21. Levy, H. II, & Moxim, W. J. Nature 328, 414–416 (1987).
    Article ADS CAS Google Scholar
  22. Levy, H. II, & Moxim, W. J. Tellus 41, 256–271 (1989).
    Article Google Scholar
  23. Levy, H. II, in Atmospheric Deposition, Proc. Baltimore Symp. IAHS Publn 179 (in the press).
  24. Duce, R. A., Unni, C. K., Ray, B. J., Prospero, J. M. & Merrill, J. T. Science 269, 1522–1524 (1980).
    Article ADS Google Scholar

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Marine Science, University of South Florida, 140 Seventh Avenue South, St Petersburg, Florida, 33701, USA
    Kent A. Fanning

Rights and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Fanning, K. Influence of atmospheric pollution on nutrient limitation in the ocean.Nature 339, 460–463 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1038/339460a0

Download citation

This article is cited by