Abstract – The marine biogeochemical cycling of most elements is influenced by a complex array of interdependent reactions that vary with the surrounding environment. As such, focusing on a single element’s biogeochemistry precludes a global understanding of processes that range from toxin production to climate change. The goal of this talk is to discuss how element stoichiometry, namely nitrogen to phosphorus ratios, and phosphorus composition may be used in tandem to better understand regional to global scale processes involving the formation of marine organic matter in the surface ocean and export to the deep sea.