The Arctic Ocean Nitrogen Cycle

Abstract

Although the Arctic Ocean is small, its shallow shelves and highly productive coastal waters make it an important component of global biogeochemical cycling, especially of nitrogen (N). Because inorganic forms of dissolved N exist in so many different oxidation states, the cycling of N can be quite complex. In this review, we describe the current understanding of the major conduits bringing N into Arctic surface waters as well as the key physical and biological processes that are responsible for the transformation from one form of N to another. We also discuss the environmental factors that are currently controlling these transformations and how this may change in a future Arctic.