Table 2 Nitrogen and phosphorous released by cetacean communities in different study areas (in bold) compared to estimates of nitrogen and phosphorous inputs from other processes and sources

Mediterranean Sea

Rhône

N

Natural background

52,339

⁴²

Mediterranean Sea

Rhône

N

Erosion

24,427

⁴²

Mediterranean Sea

Ebro

N

Natural background

51,018

⁴²

Mediterranean Sea

Ebro

N

Erosion

14,607

⁴²

Mediterranean Sea

Pô

N

Natural background

38,978

⁴²

Mediterranean Sea

Pô

N

Erosion

27,755

⁴²

Mediterranean Sea

Evros-Maritsa

N

Natural background

22,987

⁴²

Mediterranean Sea

Evros-Maritsa

N

Erosion

6676

⁴²

Mediterranean Sea

N

Cetacean waste products release

52,290 [35,250; 74,770]

This study

Mediterranean Sea

Rhône

P

Natural weathering

883

⁴²

Mediterranean Sea

Rhône

P

Erosion

9812

⁴²

Mediterranean Sea

Ebro

P

Natural weathering

932

⁴²

Mediterranean Sea

Ebro

P

Erosion

6275

⁴²

Mediterranean Sea

Pô

P

Natural weathering

635

⁴²

Mediterranean Sea

Pô

P

Erosion

8262

⁴²

Mediterranean Sea

Evros-Maritsa

P

Natural weathering

332

⁴²

Mediterranean Sea

Evros-Maritsa

P

Erosion

2961

⁴²

Mediterranean Sea

P

Cetacean waste products release

5650 [3740; 8320]

This study

Gulf of Maine (103,000 km²)

All rivers

N

Total N

11,200

⁷

Gulf of Maine (103,000 km²)

N

Atmosphere

130,260

⁷

Gulf of Maine (103,000 km²)

N

Cetacean waste products release

19,600

⁷

Extended Gulf of Maine (451,985 km²)

N

Cetacean waste products release

34,400 [23,530; 50,600]

This study

California Current

N

Upwelling

750,000

⁴³

California Current

All rivers

N

Total N

10,000

⁴³

California Current

N

Cetacean and seals waste products release

49,270 [30,880; 75,820]

This study