Quantitative reconstruction of deglacial bottom-water nitrate in marginal Pacific seas using the pore density of denitrifying benthic foraminifera

Abstract

Quantifying past ocean nitrate concentrations is crucial for understanding the global nitrogen cycle. Here, we reconstruct deglacial bottom-water nitrate concentrations ([NO3-]BW) in the oxygen-deficient zones of the Sea of Okhotsk, the Gulf of California, the Mexican Margin, and the Gulf of Guayaquil. Using the pore density of denitrifying benthic foraminifera as a nitrate proxy, differences in [NO3-]BW are observed at the study sites spanning the Last Glacial Maximum to the Holocene. Changes in water-column denitrification, water-mass ventilation, primary productivity, and sea surface temperatures may account for nitrate differences at the study sites. The [NO3-]BW in the Sea of Okhotsk, the Gulf of California, and the Gulf of Guayaquil are influenced by the intermediate water masses while, the [NO3-]BW at the Mexican Margin is likely influenced by deglacial changes in the Pacific Deep Water. The comparison of past and present [NO3-] shows that the modern Gulf of Guayaquil and the Gulf of California currently have stronger oxygen-deficient zones with higher denitrification than during the Last Glacial Maximum. In contrast, the modern Mexican Margin and the Sea of Okhotsk may have higher oxygen than during the Last Glacial Maximum, indicated by low modern denitrification.