ISSN:
1573-515X
Keywords:
denitrification
;
estuary
;
method
;
microbial
;
sediments
;
temperate
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Chemistry and Pharmacology
,
Geosciences
Notes:
Abstract Denitrification was directly estimated in estuarine sediments of Waquoit Bay, Cape Cod, MA by detection of N2 increases above ambient in the water overlying sediment cores. Denitrification rates (−9 to 712 μmol N2 m−2 h−1 ) were high compared to previous studies, but compared well with estimates of N loss from mass balance studies. The precision of the estimate depended on the N2/02 flux ratio. The N2/02 flux ratio was lower in Waquoit Bay than previously studied estuaries, and estuaries had lower N2/02 flux ratios than shelf sites. The contribution of temperature-driven solubility changes to estuarine fluxes was estimated by modeling sediment temperature variations and found to be potentially important (43 μmol N2 m−2 h−1); however, control incubations indicate the temperature model overestimates solubility driven fluxes. The relatively low fluxes under anaerobic conditions and the low rate of N03 −/N02 − removal from the overlying water indicates coupled nitrification/denitrification produced the observed N2 fluxes.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00000939
