Continental shelf systems represent an important, but poorly quantified component of the global nitrogen and carbon cycles. In this study, simulations obtained from a one-dimensional biogeochemical model developed for the U.S. eastern continental shelf are analyzed to assess nitrogen and carbon cycling processes. The one-dimensional model includes lower trophic level interactions with and without explicit dissolved organic matter dynamics and is forced by advective fields obtained from a three dimensional implementation of the same biogeochemical model. Taylor diagrams are used to compare simulation results from specific regions of the continental shelf with observations. These provide an evaluation of model skill as well as insights into adjustments that are needed for the rates and parameterizations used to simulate phytoplankton processes. Analyses of preliminary simulations suggest strong regional variability in the skill of the model to predict surface chlorophyll concentrations. These analyses, combined with data assimilation studies, provide an approach for understanding regional differences in model skill.