Phosphorus cycle long time-scale cycling

On a global scale and over relatively long time-scales, the total rate of N2 fixation is more or less in balance with total denitrification, so that the nitrogen cycle is mass-balanced. However, significant net deficits or excesses can be observed locally or even on ocean basin space scales and on decade to century timescales. These nitrogen imbalances may impact the global carbon and phosphorus cycles as well, including the net balance of CO2 between the ocean and the atmosphere. 

Long Time-scale Phosphorus Cycling, and Links to Other Biogeochemical Cycles... 

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