ISSN:
1573-5052
Keywords:
Groundwater
;
Inundation
;
Mineralization
;
Nitrogen
;
Tide
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Abstract The potential nitrogen sources for the primary production in the intertidal area are nitrogen compounds obtained from mineralization in the sediment and the water column, nitrogen fixation, outflow from rivers and groundwater seeping from the mainland. The available inorganic nitrogen in the adjacent coastal waters decreases from 50–80 μmol NO3 -/l and 6–15 μmol NH4 +/l in early spring to ca one tenth during the growing season. In the sediment of the tidal flats available ammonia and nitrate vary between 50 and 100 μmol/1 pw. In the salt marsh available ammonia increases from 200–300 nmol NH4 +/g fwt to approximately double the amount, and the available nitrate varies from 100–300 nmol NO3 -/g fwt (250–750 μmol NO3 -/l pw) to ca one third during the growing season. The exchange of NH4 +, NO2 - and NO3 - across the sediment water interface has been estimated during tidal cycles under light and dark conditions on the tidal flats. The flux of nitrogen was dependent on the flora and fauna as well as the time of the year. The tidal activity, frequency and length of inundation are considered the driving force in a two-way process between salt marshes and adjacent coastal waters. The role of marsh sediment, tidal water and sediments of the tidal flats as sites of accumulation, consumption and remineralization of organic matter is emphasized. The possible exchange of ammonia and nitrate between the salt marsh and the different compartments of the tidal water is discussed.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00044762
Permalink