Biogeosciences www.biogeosciences.net 1726-4170 1726-4189 3 3 2006 10.5194/bg-3-271-2006 http://www.biogeosciences.net/3/271/2006/ http://www.biogeosciences.net/3/271/2006/bg-3-271-2006.html http://www.biogeosciences.net/3/271/2006/bg-3-271-2006.pdf 271 280 2006-06-29 The role of air-sea exchange in the marine nitrogen cycle T. Jickells t.jickells@uea.ac.uk Laboratory for Global Marine and Atmospheric Chemistry, School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK This contribution to the Spot-On volume considers the magnitude and composition of atmospheric nitrogen inputs to the oceans and then goes on to consider the impacts of these inputs. Effects in open ocean and coastal areas are probably different. Offshore atmospheric inputs may produce a small enhancement of overall ocean productivity and hence CO₂ drawdown. 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