N2O dynamics during the summer of 2017 in the Western Arctic Ocean (from the Bering Starit to the Chukchi Borderland): Spatial distribution, Controlling factors, and Air-Sea flux

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) is, a potent greenhouse gas, has ~300 times higher radiative forcing than carbon dioxide. Oceanic contribution to the global budget of N₂O is poorly contrained due to lack of direct measurements in marine environments, including Arctic Ocean. At present, Arctic Ocean is experiencing one of the most rapid environmental changes. In particular, Arctic air temperatures have risen twice as fast as the global average (~0.7 ºC) via Arctic Amplification since the mid-20th century, resulting in rapid physical and biogeochemical changes. However, there is little information about Arctic N₂O dynamics, such as spatial distribution, controlling factors, and air-sea fluxes. Although our results are based on one-time hydrographic cruise in the western Arctic Ocean (from the Bering Strait to the Chukchi Borderland) during the summer of 2017 using the ice breaker RV Araon, here we present (1) investigation into the spatial distribution of dissolved N₂O, (2) discussion on its controlling factors (physical vs. biogeochemical), and (3) air-sea N₂O fluxes to determine sources or sinks for atmospheric N₂O.