Nitrogen fixation by Trichodesmium spp.: An important source of new nitrogen to the tropical and subtropical North Atlantic Ocean

The broad distribution and often high densities of the cyanobacterium Trichodesmium spp. in oligotrophic waters imply a substantial role for this one taxon in the oceanic N cycle of the marine tropics and subtropics. New results from 154 stations on six research cruises in the North Atlantic Ocean show depth‐integrated N 2 fixation by Trichodesmium spp. at many stations that equalled or exceeded the estimated vertical flux of NO 3 − into the euphotic zone by diapycnal mixing. Areal rates are consistent with those derived from several indirect geochemical analyses. Direct measurements of N 2 fixation rates by Trichodesmium are also congruent with upper water column N budgets derived from parallel determinations…