Cited by 84Paleontology and Stratigraphy of FossilsGeological and Geochemical AnalysisGeology and Paleoclimatology Research

Geological nitrogen cycle and atmospheric N2 over Phanerozoic time

Berner, Robert A.·2006·Geology

Abstract

Research Article| May 01, 2006 Geological nitrogen cycle and atmospheric N2 over Phanerozoic time Robert A. Berner Robert A. Berner 1Department of Geology and Geophysics, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8109, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Robert A. Berner 1Department of Geology and Geophysics, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8109, USA Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 27 Nov 2005 Revision Received: 20 Dec 2005 Accepted: 22 Dec 2005 First Online: 09 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (2006) 34 (5): 413–415. https://doi.org/10.1130/G22470.1 Article history Received: 27 Nov 2005 Revision Received: 20 Dec 2005 Accepted: 22 Dec 2005 First Online: 09 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation Robert A. Berner; Geological nitrogen cycle and atmospheric N2 over Phanerozoic time. Geology 2006;; 34 (5): 413–415. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G22470.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Using the average nitrogen/carbon ratio (N/C) of sedimentary organic matter, coal, and volcanic/metamorphic gases, existing models of the carbon cycle have been used to calculate the fluxes of nitrogen to and from the atmosphere via the weathering, burial, and metamorphic/volcanic decomposition of organic matter. Results indicate no appreciable change, less than one percent of that present, in the mass of atmospheric N2 over Phanerozoic time. This is in sharp contrast to atmospheric O2, which shows notable variations. Variation of the mass of O2, but not that of N2, must have led to variation in total atmospheric pressure with time. Results are not altered by considering N/C ratios ten times higher than the average for sedimentary rocks nor by considering nitrogen release from silicate weathering. The residence time of N2 in the atmosphere, relative to exchange with and storage in crustal rocks, is estimated to be about one billion years. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.

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Crossref · 10.1130/g22470.1

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  • Today, N2 is also produced when oxidative weathering of organic matter on the continents makes nitrate that undergoes rapid biological denitrification into N2.

    “Today, N2 is also produced when oxidative weathering of organic matter on the continents makes nitrate (NO3−) that undergoes rapid biological denitrification into N2 (140).”

    From The Archean atmosphere (2020) · cites this paper as [140]

  • Using sedimentary C/N data, Berner argues that the sum of N2 sources was balanced over the Phanerozoic primarily by N burial in organic matter, so that the Phanerozoic partial pressure of nitrogen varied little.

    “Using sedimentary C/N data, Berner (140) argues that the sum of these N2 sources was balanced over the Phanerozoic primarily by N burial in organic matter, so that the Phanerozoic partial pressure of nitrogen, pN2, varied little.”

    From The Archean atmosphere (2020) · cites this paper as [140]

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Authors
Berner, R. A.
Affiliations
Yale University (US)
Corresponding author
Berner, Robert A.
Venue
Geology
Published
2006
Volume
34
Issue
5
Pages
413
ISSN
0091-7613 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W1969460111
Cited by
84
References
20
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 3 · 2012: 4
FWCI
1.95
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
Geology (publishedVersion)
Funders
U.S. Department of Energy
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Paleontology › Paleontology and Stratigraphy of Fossils
  • Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Geophysics › Geological and Geochemical Analysis
  • Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Atmospheric Science › Geology and Paleoclimatology Research
Keywords
atmospheric nitrogen, Phanerozoic, nitrogen to carbon ratio, nitrogen burial, nitrogen fluxes, nitrogen isotope fractionation, nitrogen-15

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