title: High Nitrite Levels off Northern Peru: A Signal of Instability in the Marine Denitrification Rate.
abstract: 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.
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Codispoti
authors.forename: G E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Friederich
authors.forename: T T
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Packard
authors.forename: H E
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Glover
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Spinrad
authors.forename: R T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Barber
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Elkins
authors.forename: B B
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Ward
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lipschultz
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lostaunau