A global dataset of nitrogen fixation rates across inland and coastal waters
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2025
Abstract
Biological nitrogen fixation is the conversion of dinitrogen (N2) gas into bioavailable nitrogen by microorganisms with consequences for primary production, ecosystem function, and global climate. Here we present a compiled dataset of 4793 nitrogen fixation (N2-fixation) rates measured in the water column and benthos of inland and coastal systems via the acetylene reduction assay, 15N2 labeling, or N2/Ar technique. While the data are distributed across seven continents, most observations (88%) are from the northern hemisphere. 15N2 labeling accounted for 67% of water column measurements, while the acetylene reduction assay accounted for 81% of benthic N2-fixation observations. Dataset median area-, volume-, and mass-normalized N2-fixation rates are 7.1 μmol N2-N m−2 h−1, 2.3 × 10−4 μmol N2-N L−1 h−1, and 4.8 × 10−4 μmol N2-N g−1 h−1, respectively. This dataset will facilitate future efforts to study and scale N2-fixation contributions across inland and coastal aquatic environments.
Publication Title
Limnology and Oceanography Letters
Recommended Citation
Fulweiler, R.,
Berberich, M.,
Rinehart, S.,
Taylor, J.,
Kelly, M.,
Ray, N.,
Oczkowski, A.,
Balint, S.,
Geisser, A.,
Mahoney, C.,
Benavides, M.,
Church, M.,
Loeks, B.,
Newell, S.,
Olofsson, M.,
Oppong, J.,
Roley, S.,
Vizza, C.,
Wilson, S.,
Groffman, P.,
Scott, J.,
&
Marcarelli, A.
(2025).
A global dataset of nitrogen fixation rates across inland and coastal waters.
Limnology and Oceanography Letters.
http://doi.org/10.1002/lol2.10459
Retrieved from: https://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/michigantech-p2/1389