WS-01 Characterization of natural DOM-techniques and solutions
Molecular and isotopic evidence of diazotroph-derived nitrogen in the marine dissolved organic nitrogen
Peng Jiang, Xiamen University
Robert Spencer, Florida State University
Amy McKenna, Florida State University
Hongmei Chen, Xiamen University
Dalin Shi, Xiamen University
Zuozhu Wen, Xiamen University
Xiaolin Li* , Xiamen University

Nitrogen fixation is one of the most important external sources of new nutrients in the oligotrophic oceans, which supports up to 50% of new production in the North Pacific. However, the cycling of the fixed N among particulate and dissolved phases in the euphotic zone and its regulation mechanisms remain poorly understood. In this study, we aimed to investigate the partition of diazotroph-derived nitrogen in the marine dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) revealed by the isotopic analysis and molecular characterization. Onboard nitrogen fixation incubations were conducted with spiked 15N2gas at the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre stations. The δ15N ratios and high-resolution Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR-MS) in the solid phase extracted DON (SPE-DON) during the experiments were analyzed simultaneously. The δ15N ratios of the SPE-DON showed a positive correlation with the nitrogen fixation rates (NFR), which indicated the partition of fixed nitrogen in the dissolved phase. The FT-ICR-MS data were analyzed and screened for the nitrogen-containing compounds that were involved in the nitrogen fixation process. A formula assignment working flow was developed in the analyzed samples with different NFR and spiked 15N ratios. This work provides further evidence and insights into the fate of diazotroph-derived nitrogen at molecular levels.