Atmospheric reactive nitrogen deposition to the global ocean during the 2010s: Interannual variation and source attribution
Liu, S.; Zhao, Y.; Lin, Y.; Wang, J.; Li, Q.; Chen, Y.; Zhang, L. (2025). Atmospheric reactive nitrogen deposition to the global ocean during the 2010s: Interannual variation and source attribution. JGR: Atmospheres 130(8): 1-20. https://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2024jd042789
In: Journal of Geophysical Research-Atmospheres. AMER GEOPHYSICAL UNION: Washington. ISSN 2169-897X; e-ISSN 2169-8996, meer
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| Auteurs | | Top |
- Liu, S.
- Zhao, Y.
- Lin, Y.
- Wang, J.
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- Li, Q.
- Chen, Y.
- Zhang, L.
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| Abstract |
This study evaluates atmospheric reactive nitrogen deposition to the global ocean from 2010 to 2019 using the GEOS-Chem model, quantifying the contributions of key anthropogenic and natural sources and examining the impacts of emissions and meteorological changes on interannual variations (IAVs). The average global oceanic nitrogen deposition is 40.7 Tg N yr−1, with 78% deposited in the open ocean. Reduced nitrogen (NHx) and oxidized nitrogen (NOy) contribute equally predominantly through wet deposition (62%). Of the total nitrogen deposition to oceans, 39% originates from natural emissions, 33% from fuel combustion including shipping and aviation (11%), and 22% from agricultural activities. Transportation and agriculture are the major contributors in the Northern Hemispheric mid-high latitude and Coastal biomes, whereas natural emissions are dominant in Trades and Southern Hemispheric biomes. Both wet and dry NOy deposition decreases in the Northern Hemisphere mid-high latitudes but increases in tropical biomes, whereas NHx shows opposing changes in wet and dry deposition. Anthropogenic emissions drive over 60% of IAVs of oceanic nitrogen deposition except for the NHx deposition over tropical biomes. Changes in anthropogenic emissions from combustion sources not only influence NOy deposition through nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions from fuel combustions but also lead to opposing trends in wet and dry NHx deposition due to nonlinear chemistry of secondary inorganic aerosol formations. These findings highlight the need for integrated management strategies targeting multiple pollutants, including NOx, ammonia (NH3), and sulfur dioxide (SO2) along with international regulations on shipping and aviation to effectively control nitrogen deposition over the ocean. |
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