Articles | Volume 23, issue 13
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-23-4719-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-23-4719-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
09 Jul 2026
Research article |
| 09 Jul 2026
| 09 Jul 2026
A potential explanation for the anomalously low nitrate to phosphate ratio in the well-oxygenated East/Japan Sea
Hyo-Ryeon Kim
Department of Marine Science, Incheon National University, Incheon 22012, South Korea
Jae-Hyun Lim
Marine Environmental Research Division, National Institute of Fisheries Science, Busan 46083, South Korea
Hae-Kun Jung
Department of Marine Convergence Science, Kangwon National University, Gangneung 25457, South Korea
Jeong-Min Shim
Fisheries Resources and Environment Division, East Sea Fisheries Research Institute, National Institute of Fisheries Science, Gangneung 25435, South Korea
Ju-Hyoung Kim
Department of Aquaculture and Aquatic Science, Kunsan National University, Gunsan 54150, South Korea
Seo-Young Kim
Department of Marine Science, Incheon National University, Incheon 22012, South Korea
Il-Nam Kim
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Department of Marine Science, Incheon National University, Incheon 22012, South Korea
Yellow Sea Research Institute, Incheon 22012, South Korea
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Short summary
The well-oxygenated East/Japan Sea shows a low NO3⁻:PO43− ratio (12.6:1), below the Redfield ratio (16:1). External P inputs cannot explain this. Abundant N-reducing genes and bacteria indicate microbial N loss within oxygen-poor microzones in sinking particles. A dual feedback is proposed: surface N enrichment from atmospheric deposition and deep N loss from deoxygenation, forming a vertically stratified nutrient regime under future change.
The well-oxygenated East/Japan Sea shows a low NO3⁻:PO43− ratio (12.6:1), below the Redfield...
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