High Nitrite Levels off Northern Peru: A Signal of Instability in the Marine Denitrification Rate.
During February and March 1985, nitrite levels along the northern (approximately 7 degrees to 10 degrees S) Peruvian coast were unusually high. These accumulations occurred in oxygen-deficient waters, suggesting intensified denitrification. In a shallow offshore nitrite maximum, concentrations were as high as 23 micromoles per liter (a record high). Causes for the unusual conditions may include a cold anomaly that followed the 1982-83 El Niño. The removal of combined nitrogen (approximately 3 to 10 trillion grams of nitrogen per year) within zones of new or enhanced denitrification observed between 7 degrees to 16 degrees S suggests a significant increase in oceanic denitrification.
Codispoti
L A
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Friederich
G E
GE
Packard
T T
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Glover
H E
HE
Kelly
P J
PJ
Spinrad
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Barber
R T
RT
Elkins
J W
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Ward
B B
BB
Lipschultz
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Lostaunau
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