The Importance of Benthic Nutrient Fluxes in Supporting Primary Production in the Laptev and East Siberian Shelf Seas

This study presents an assessment of benthic nutrient regeneration and its role for the budget outer Laptev East Siberian shelf sea. Porewater profiles major nutrients dissolved silica (DSi), inorganic nitrogen (DIN), phosphate (DIP) as well total iron (DFe) were evaluated with a one-dimensional reaction transport model to derive net rates fluxes from slope 16 stations. Integrated over area DSi, DIN, DIP found be 7.1, 1.2, 0.5 Gmol/year in Sea 29.8, 9.5, 2.8 Sea, respectively. A comparison ratios marine riverine inputs Arctic plankton stoichiometry indicate substantial loss likely due denitrification relative DSi. Our flux estimation is low estimate considering potentially higher more productive, bioturbated near-shore sediments. The emphasizes by returning fundamentally different bottom waters that phytoplankton, sources, open water inflow. With simple box model, we provide snapshot today's two seas about 10%–20% required primary production are derived proportion expected increase future warmer continental response increasing production.