Journal article
Long-term nitrogen burial exceeds denitrification in global fjords
Nature communications, Vol.17(1), pp.1-9
01/04/2026
PMID: 41916984
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Abstract
Nitrogen (N) availability regulates primary productivity and hence directly affects global oceanic carbon sequestration. Global fjords account for up to 11% of marine carbon burial. However, N loss via sediment burial remains largely unquantified. Here, we show that global fjords are hotspots of N burial, accounting for up to 18% of oceanic N burial despite only covering 0.1% of the ocean area. Burial is the dominant N loss mechanism, exceeding microbial N loss via denitrification and anammox, which are generally considered the major N loss mechanisms. Microbial N loss dominates in anoxic fjords and appears to be a function of temperature and nutrient availability. Overall, fjords efficiently sequester excess N in sediments over long time scales. Accelerated warming will promote both N burial from increased primary production and microbial N loss from warmer temperatures, affecting N budgets in fjords and in the ocean in general.
Details
- Title
- Long-term nitrogen burial exceeds denitrification in global fjords
- Creators
- Henry L. S. Cheung - University of GothenburgLubrina S. Levin - University of Southern DenmarkCraig Smeaton - University of St AndrewsTobia Politi - University of GothenburgBo Thamdrup - University of Southern DenmarkIsaac R. Santos - University of GothenburgStefano Bonaglia - University of Gothenburg
- Publication Details
- Nature communications, Vol.17(1), pp.1-9
- Publisher
- Nature Publishing Group
- Grant note
- Open access funding provided by University of Gothenburg.
- Identifiers
- 991013370737302368
- Copyright
- © The Author(s) 2026
- Academic Unit
- National Marine Science Centre; National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article