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Atmospheric input of inorganic nitrogen to the Western Mediterranean

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Abstract

Bulk inorganic nitrogen deposition was monitored over a period of 3 years at the Bavella Pass (Corsica, France). Annual fluxes range between 126 and 150μmol.m−2.d-−1, increasing slightly with annual rainfall. Natural background average concentrations of rain water and associated fluxes were estimated from a classification of rain events into ‘natural’ (Oceanic and Saharan), polluted and composite. Long range transport of incoming polluted air masses increases the atmospheric wet nitrogen input by at least a factor of 1.6 in this Mediterranean area. Extrapolation of atmospheric dissolved inorganic nitrogen input to the Western Mediterranean leads to fluxes of 80 to l00μmol.m−2.d-−1. This atmospheric input is in the same order of magnitude as the inorganic nitrogen riverine input. As a consequence, the nitrogen budget for the Mediterranean has had to be reassessed. Atmospheric wet inorganic nitrogen input is of noticeable importance to marine Mediterranean ecosystems, representing on average 10 to 25% of new production in the Western Basin, with values of up to 60% in oligotrophic zones.

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  1. Institut de Biogéochimie Marine, U.R.A. CNRS 386, Ecole Normale Supérieure, 1, rue Maurice Arnoux, 92120, Montrouge, France

    M. D. Loÿe-Pilot, J. M. Martin & J. Morelli

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  1. M. D. Loÿe-Pilot
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  2. J. M. Martin
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  3. J. Morelli
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Loÿe-Pilot, M.D., Martin, J.M. & Morelli, J. Atmospheric input of inorganic nitrogen to the Western Mediterranean. Biogeochemistry 9, 117–134 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00692168

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