Nitrogen-phosphorus ratio, marine organic matter

Of the organic carbon entering the ocean, about 35% accumulated in marine sediments as organic carbon with a molar C/N/P ratio of about 250/20/1 (Mackenzie, 1981) the rest was respired and oxidized to CO2 and evaded the ocean. The nitrogen and phosphorus riverine fluxes of 1 and 0.045 x 1012 moles y1, respectively, represented the nutrient fluxes necessary to support the organic matter accumulation of 11.7 x 1012 moles C y1. 

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