Marine Biogeochemistry of Carbon, Nitrogen, and Phosphorus Cycles
This community investigates the chemical and biological processes governing the movement of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus in the ocean, with a specific focus on how these cycles interact with climate change, ocean acidification, and the sequestration of organic matter.
The research centers on the dynamics of dissolved organic matter, the biological pump, and nutrient limitation in various marine environments. Key recurring themes include the role of blue carbon ecosystems such as mangroves and salt marshes in storing organic carbon, the mechanisms of nitrogen fixation and nitrous oxide production, and the impact of ocean acidification on alkalinity and carbonate chemistry. The work frequently examines specific regions, including the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans, as well as coastal zones like the South China Sea and the Arctic. Methods involve stable isotope analysis, modeling of biogeochemical cycles, and the study of phytoplankton and microbial communities that drive primary production and carbon export to deep ocean sinks.
The community is most heavily represented in research tracked for Carbon, accounting for 0.6% of all carbon research, and Nitrogen, accounting for 0.8% of all nitrogen research. It also contributes 0.7% of phosphorus research and 0.5% of iron research.
There are 20,155 papers in this community, published primarily in Limnology and Oceanography, Marine Chemistry, and Frontiers in Marine Science.
Recent work continues to focus on the intersection of nutrient cycling and climate mitigation, including studies on alkalinity enhancement in coastal waters, the role of oyster farming in carbon dioxide removal, and the biogeochemical impacts of glacier melt.