Atmospheric nitrogen deposition from a remote source enriches macroalgae in coral reef ecosystems near Green Turtle Cay, Abacos, Bahamas

The results of this study provide evidence for an additional biogeochemical pathway that may alleviate primary nutrient limitation of macroalgal production on a barrier reef ecosystem that borders the otherwise oligotrophic Sargasso Sea. The mobilization of nitrogen to remote ecosystems via atmospheric pathways provides further evidence of the magnitude of the consequences of human modification of the global biogeochemical cycle of nitrogen.

This is the author’s version of a work accepted for publication byElsevier. Changes resulting from the publishing process, including peer review, editing,corrections, structural formatting and other quality control mechanisms, may not be reflectedin this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted forpublication. The definitive version has been published athttp://www.elsevier.com/locate/marpolbul and may be cited as Barile, Peter J., Brian E.Lapointe (2005) Atmospheric nitrogen deposition from a remote source enriches macroalgaein coral reef ecosystems near Green Turtle Cay, Abacos, Bahamas, Marine Pollution Bulletin50:1262–1272 doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2005.04.031

Florida Atlantic University. Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute contribution #1597.