Sediment Denitrification in Two Contrasting Tropical Shallow Lagoons

Sediment denitrification was monthly evaluated in two tropical coastal lagoons with different trophic states using the ¹⁵N isotope pairing technique. Denitrification rates were very low in both environments, always <5.0 μmol N₂ m^?2 h^?1 and were not significantly different between them. Oxygen consumption varied from 426 to 4248 μmol O₂ m^?2 h^?1 and was generally three times higher in the meso-eutrophic than the oligotrophic lagoon. The low denitrification activity was ascribed to both low water NO₃ ^? concentrations (<2.0 μM) and little nitrate supply from nitrification. There was no correlation of denitrification with nitrate or ammonium fluxes. Sediments in temperate environments with similar oxygen consumption rates usually presented a higher proportion of nitrification–denitrification rates. Sediment oxygen consumption was a good predictor of sediment denitrification in both studied lagoons.     

Distribution,production and consumption of nitrous oxide in the Baltic Sea

Nitrous oxide supersaturation was measured in the Bothnian Bay, Bothnian Sea and four depth zones of the Baltic proper along with O₂, NO^?₃, NO^?₂ and other parameters useful in interpreting the sources of the N₂O. In the Baltic Sea supersaturation of N₂O (123%) was found in the surface water of 0 to 0.5 m. The supersaturation resulted in a flux of N₂O to the atmosphere of 2.8 × 10^?2Tg N · yr^?1 which was 5% of the estimated total nitrogen loss for the Baltic. For the entire photic zone (0 to 20 m) the N₂O saturation was 135%. The source of the N₂O is not clear, as the nitrification and denitrification were ruled out as sources. The N₂O saturation was the lowest (118%) in the intermediate zone. Nitrification appears to be the likely N₂O sorce in this region. At the halocline zone, an increasing oversaturation of N₂O (200 to 300%) correlated with decreasing O₂ concentrations and increasing NO^?₃ concentrations, indications of nitrification. Of the NH⁺₄ that was oxidized to NO^?₃, 0.56% was produced as N₂O. In the deep water zone, the supersaturation of N₂O remained very high (150 to 200%). Sufficient O₂, high NO^?₃ and the presence of nitrifying activity suggested nitrification as most likely source, however in deeper waters of this zone where oxygen was less than 2% saturation the N₂O production could be due to denitrification. In anoxic waters the N₂O concentrations rapidly decreased to zero suggesting N₂O consumption by denitrification, further evidenced by a developing nitrate anomaly.     

Nitrous Oxide Emissions from Intertidal Zone of the Yellow River Estuary in Autumn and Winter During 2011–2012

Much uncertainty exists in spatial and temporal variations of nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from coastal marshes in temperate regions. To investigate the spatial and temporal variations of N₂O fluxes and determine the environmental factors influencing N₂O fluxes across the coastal marsh dominated by Suaeda salsa in the Yellow River estuary, China, in situ measurements were conducted in high marsh (HM), middle marsh (MM), low marsh (LM), and mudflat (MF) in autumn and winter during 2011–2012. Results showed that mean N₂O fluxes and cumulative N₂O emission indicated intertidal zone of the examined marshes as N₂O sources over all sampling seasons with range of 0.0051 to 0.0152 mg N₂O m^?2 h^?1 and 7.58 to 22.02 mg N₂O m^?2, respectively. During all times of day and the seasons measured, N₂O fluxes from the intertidal zone ranged from ?0.0004 to 0.0644 mg N₂O m^?2 h^?1. The freeze/thaw cycles in sediments during early winter (frequent short-term cycle) and midwinter (long-term cycle) were one of main factors affecting the temporal variations of N₂O emission. The spatial variations of N₂O fluxes in autumn were mainly dependent on tidal fluctuation and plant composition. The ammonia-nitrogen (NH₄ ⁺–N) in sediments of MF significantly affected N₂O emissions (p < 0.05), and the high concentrations of Fe in sediments might affect the spatial variation of N₂O fluxes. This study highlighted the large spatial variation of N₂O fluxes across the coastal marsh (coefficient of variation (CV) = 127.86 %) and the temporal variation of N₂O fluxes during 2011–2012 (CV = 137.29 %). Presently, the exogenous C and N loadings of the Yellow River estuary are increasing due to human activities; thus, the potential effects of exogenous C and N loadings on N₂O emissions during early winter should be paid more attention as the N₂O inventory is assessed precisely.     

Nitrous oxide (N<Subscript>2</Subscript>O) emissions from a mesotrophic reservoir on the Wujiang River,southwest China

Aquatic ecosystems have been identified as a globally significant source of nitrous oxide (N₂O) due to continuous active nitrogen involvement, but the processes and influencing factors that control N₂O production are still poorly understood, especially in reservoirs. For that, monthly N₂O variations were monitored in Dongfeng reservoir (DFR) with a mesotrophic condition. The dissolved N₂O concentration in DFR displayed a distinct spatial–temporal pattern but lower than that in the eutrophic reservoirs. During the whole sampling year, N₂O saturation ranging from 144% to 640%, indicating that reservoir acted as source of atmospheric N₂O. N₂O production is induced by the introduction of nitrogen (NO₃ ^?, NH₄ ⁺) in mesotrophic reservoirs, and is also affected by oxygen level and water temperature. Nitrification was the predominate process for N₂O production in DFR due to well-oxygenated longitudinal water layers. Mean values of estimated N₂O flux from the air–water interface averaged 0.19 µmol m^?2 h^?1 with a range of 0.01–0.61 µmol m^?2 h^?1. DFR exhibited less N₂O emission flux than that reported in a nearby eutrophic reservoir, but still acted as a moderate N₂O source compared with other reservoirs and lakes worldwide. Annual emissions from the water–air interface of DFR were estimated to be 0.32 × 10⁵ mol N–N₂O, while N₂O degassing from releasing water behind the dam during power generation was nearly five times greater. Hence, N₂O degassing behind the dam should be taken into account for estimation of N₂O emissions from artificial reservoirs, an omission that historically has probably resulted in underestimates. IPCC methodology should consider more specifically N₂O emission estimation in aquatic ecosystems, especially in reservoirs, the default EF5 model will lead to an overestimation.     

Spatial Distribution of Nitrous Oxide (N<Subscript>2</Subscript>O) in the Reloncaví Estuary–Sound and Adjacent Sea (41°–43° S), Chilean Patagonia

Fjords and estuaries exchange large amounts of solutes, gases, and particulates between fluvial and marine systems. These exchanges and their relative distributions of compounds/particles are partially controlled by stratification and water circulation. The spatial and vertical distributions of N₂O, an important greenhouse gas, along with other oceanographic variables, are analyzed from the Reloncaví estuary (RE) (~41° 30′ S) to the gulf of Corcovado in the interior sea of Chiloé (43° 45′ S) during the austral winter. Freshwater runoff into the estuary regulated salinity and stratification of the water column, clearly demarking the surface (<5 m depth) and subsurface layer (>5 m depth) and also separating estuarine and marine influenced areas. N₂O levels varied between 8.3 and 21 nM (corresponding to 80 and 170 % saturation, respectively), being significantly lower (11.8 ± 1.70) at the surface than in subsurface waters in the Reloncaví estuary (14.5 ± 1.73). Low salinity and NO₃ ^?, NO₂ ^?, and PO₄ ^3? levels, as well as high Si(OH)₄ values were associated with low surface N₂O levels. Remarkably, an accumulation of N₂O was observed in the subsurface waters of the Reloncaví sound, associated with a relatively high consumption of O₂. The sound is exposed to increasing anthropogenic impacts from aquaculture and urban discharge, occurring simultaneously with an internal recirculation, which leads to potential signals of early eutrophication. In contrast, within the interior sea of Chiloé (ISC), most of water column was quasi homohaline and occupied by modified subantarctic water (MSAAW), which was relatively rich in N₂O (12.6 ± 2.36 nM) and NO₃ ^? (18.3 ± 1.63 μM). The relationship between salinity, nutrients, and N₂O revealed that water from the open ocean, entering into ISC (the Gulf of Corcovado) through the Guafo mouth, was the main source of N₂O (up to 21 nM), as it gradually mixed with estuarine water. In addition, significant relationships between N₂O excess vs. AOU and N₂O excess vs. NO₃ ^? suggest that part of N₂O is also produced by nitrification. Our results show that the estuarine and marine waters can act as light source or sink of N₂O to the atmosphere (air–sea N₂O fluxes ranged from ?1.57 to 5.75 μmol m^?2 day^?1), respectively; influxes seem to be associated to brackish water depleted in N₂O that also caused a strong stratification, creating a barrier to gas exchange.     

Nitrous oxide emission from Gulf Coast wetlands

Nitrous oxide evolution may contribute to partial destruction of the ozone layer in the stratosphere. A two year study of the release of N₂O from adjoining salt, brackish, and fresh marsh sediment indicates that the annual emission was 31, 48, and 55 mg N m^?2 respectively. Emission from open water area was less than the corresponding emission from the marsh sediment. In vitro experiments indicate that the N₂O emission was increased when the sediment was drained for extended periods of time. The addition of NO₃^? significantly increased the rate of N₂O evolution, indicating that a large potential for denitrification exists in the anoxic sediment. Appreciable losses of N₂O would only be expected when the marshes receive an extraneous source of nitrate such as sewage and/or wastewater.The contribution of the Gulf Coast wetlands to the atmospheric N₂O balance is estimated to be 3.3 × 10⁹ g N₂O. The maximum average daily emission was equivalent to 1.5 g N₂O-N ha^?1, which is less than the measured emission from uncultivated soils (Mosieret al., 1981) but greater than the estimates from noncropped land (CAST, 1976).     

Nitrous oxide emissions from different land use patterns in a typical karst region, Southwest China

Fluxes of nitrous oxide (N2O) from different land use patterns (matured forest, secondary forest, grassland and cropland) in a subtropical karst region of Guizhou Province, Southwest China, were measured for one year with a closed static chamber technique and by gas chromatography. The results showed that soil under different land uses was a source of atmospheric N2O. The cropland was a source with relatively high N2O as compared to forest and grassland, but no significant differences were observed. N2O emissions from soils varied with land use change and fertilizer application. There were two peaks of N2O flux occurred following the combination of two obvious precipitation and fertilizer events in the cultivated land. Converting from the matured forest to secondary forest tended to increase annual emissions of N2O (from 1.40 to 1.65 kg N ha -1 a -1 ), while changing land use from secondary forest to scattered grassland tended to decrease annual emissions of N2O slightly (from 1.65 to 1.45 kg N ha -1 a -1 ). Our range of cumulative annual N2O emission across different land uses (1.40-1.91 kg N ha -1 a -1 ) in a karst region is in general agreement with previously published data in a non-karst region. However, in the maize field, N2O emission factor (EF) was 0.34% for fertilizer application, which is about 71.2% lower than the IPCC default value. It is suggested that current IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) EF methodology could overestimate N2O emission from the karstic cropland. Anyway, the N2O emission from cropland in the karst region would contribute significantly to the global N2O budget, so reducing fertilization frequency during the crop growing season could lead to a decrease in N2O emission in the whole year.     

Microbiological denitrification and denitrifying activity ofParacoccus Denitrificans

With rapidly industrial and agricultural development,more and more fertilizers,chemicals and heavy ions will be discharged into lakes and rivers,which would cause lake eutrophication and quality deterioration in drinking water sources.Therefore,denitrification is essential for controlling the amounts of nitrogen,During the transformation process from nitrate to the end products-nitrogen and several intermediated[e.g.nitrite(NO2^-),nitrous oxide(N2O) and nitric oxide(NO)]may be accumulated,which have more toxic influences on the environment.in This study,the denitrification effect of Paracoccus Denitrificans was examined on the changes between oxic and anoxic conditions at varying pH.At pH=7.5,denitrification proceeded well after 3 switches from oxic to anoxic conditions and vice versa,Production of N2 was constant and the amounts of NO2-,N2O and NO were extremely low.How ever,at pH=6.8,denitrification activity was inhitied and there large amounts of the intermaediates.The denitrifying bacteria decreased violently in dry weight and were washed out.     

Analysis of factors controlling soil N2O emission by principal component and path analysis method

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) is a potent greenhouse gas. Mitigating N₂O emission is critical for combating global climate change and improving the ecological environment. Many studies have focused on factors affecting N₂O emission from agricultural soils, but rarely on the relationship among these factors. In the present study, continuous measurement on N₂O emission was conducted in a maize system in Griffith, Australia and the relationships between N₂O emission, soil properties and weather conditions were examined. Principal component analysis and path analysis were used to analyze these data in correlation coefficient and the direct and indirect effects to N₂O emission. Results indicated that (1) the major factors affecting N₂O emission were WFPS, mineralized nitrogen (Mineral N), daily mean temperature (T _mean) and CO₂ concentration. The factors of direct influence N₂O emission were following Mineral N, CO₂, WFPS, and T _mean. The indirect influence N₂O emission was following T _mean, WFPS, Mineral N, and CO₂ concentration. (2) The standard multiple regression describing the relationship between N₂O emission and its major factors were Y = ?37.162 + 0.5267 X ₁ + 0.4331 X ₂ + 0.3014 X ₃ + 0.2392 X ₄ (r = 0.924, p < 0.01, n = 151), where Y is N₂O emission, X ₁ is Mineral N, X ₂ is CO₂, X ₃ is WFPS and X ₄ is T _mean. (3) N₂O emission from agricultural soils can be monitored and mitigated through improved management practices such as irrigation, straw retention and fertilizer application.     

Biogeochemistry of nitrous oxide in groundwater in a forested ecosystem elucidated by nitrous oxide isotopomer measurements

The biological and physical controls on microbial processes that produce and consume N₂O in soils are highly complex. Isotopomer ratios of N₂O, with abundance of ¹⁴N¹⁵N¹⁶O, ¹⁵N¹⁴N¹⁶O, and ¹⁴N¹⁴N¹⁸O relative to ¹⁴N¹⁴N¹⁶O, are promising for elucidation of N₂O biogeochemistry in an intact ecosystem. Site preference, the nitrogen isotope ratio of the central nitrogen atom minus that of the terminal nitrogen atom, is useful to distinguish between N₂O via hydroxylamine oxidation and N₂O via nitrite reduction.We applied this isotopomer analysis to a groundwater system in a temperate coniferous-forested ecosystem. Results of a previous study at this location showed that the N₂O concentration in groundwater varied greatly according to groundwater chemistry, i.e. NO₃⁻, DOC, and DO, although apportionment of N₂O production to nitrification or denitrification was ambiguous. Our isotopic analysis (δ¹⁵N and δ¹⁸O) of NO₃⁻ and N₂O implies that denitrification is the dominant production process of N₂O, but definitive information is not derived from δ¹⁵N and δ¹⁸O analysis because of large variations in isotopic fractionations during production and consumption of N₂O. However, the N₂O site preference and the difference in δ¹⁵N between NO₃⁻ and N₂O indicate that nitrification contributes to total N₂O production and that most measured N₂O has been subjected to further N₂O reduction to N₂. The implications of N₂O biogeochemistry derived from isotope and isotopomer data differ entirely from those derived from conventional concentration data of DO, NO₃⁻, and N₂O. That difference underscores the need to reconsider our understanding of the N cycle in the oxic-anoxic interface.     

Dynamics of greenhouse gases in the river–groundwater interface in a gaining river stretch (Triffoy catchment,Belgium)

This study investigates the occurrence of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and the role of groundwater as an indirect pathway of GHG emissions into surface waters in a gaining stretch of the Triffoy River agricultural catchment (Belgium). To this end, nitrous oxide (N₂O), methane (CH₄) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentrations, the stable isotopes of nitrate, and major ions were monitored in river and groundwater over 8 months. Results indicated that groundwater was strongly oversaturated in N₂O and CO₂ with respect to atmospheric equilibrium (50.1 vs. 0.55 μg L^?1 for N₂O and 14,569 vs. 400 ppm for CO₂), but only marginally for CH₄ (0.45 vs. 0.056 μg L^?1), suggesting that groundwater can be a source of these GHGs to the atmosphere. Nitrification seemed to be the main process for the accumulation of N₂O in groundwater. Oxic conditions prevailing in the aquifer were not prone for the accumulation of CH₄. In fact, the emissions of CH₄ from the river were one to two orders of magnitude higher than the inputs from groundwater, meaning that CH₄ emissions from the river were due to CH₄ in-situ production in riverbed or riparian zone sediments. For CO₂ and N₂O, average emissions from groundwater were 1.5?×?10⁵ kg CO₂ ha^?1 year^?1 and 207 kg N₂O ha^?1 year^?1, respectively. Groundwater is probably an important source of N₂O and CO₂ in gaining streams but when the measures are scaled at catchment scale, these fluxes are probably relatively modest. Nevertheless, their quantification would better constrain nitrogen and carbon budgets in natural systems.     

Oyster (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Crassostrea virginica</Emphasis>) Aquaculture Shifts Sediment Nitrogen Processes toward Mineralization over Denitrification

Filter-feeding bivalves, like oysters, couple pelagic primary production with benthic microbial processes by consuming plankton from the water column and depositing unassimilated material on sediment. Conceptual models suggest that at low to moderate oyster densities, this deposition can stimulate benthic denitrification by providing denitrifying bacteria with organic carbon and nitrogen (N). While enhanced denitrification has been found at oyster reefs, data from oyster aquaculture are limited and equivocal. This study measured seasonal rates of denitrification, as well as dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA), and dissolved inorganic N fluxes at a rack and bag eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) aquaculture farm. Consistent with models, denitrification was enhanced within the farm, with an average annual increase of 350% compared to a reference site. However, absolute denitrification rates were low relative to other coastal systems, reaching a maximum of 19.2 μmol m^?2 h^?1. Denitrification appeared to be nitrate (NO₃ ^?) limited, likely due to inhibited nitrification caused by sediment anoxia. Denitrification may also have been limited by competition for NO₃ ^? with DNRA, which accounted for an average of 76% of NO₃ ^? reduction. Consequently, direct release of ammonium (NH₄ ⁺) from mineralization to the water column was the most significant benthic N pathway, with seasonal rates exceeding 900 μmol m^?2 h^?1 within the farm. The enhanced N processes were spatially limited however, with significantly higher rates directly under oysters, compared to in between oyster racks. For commercial aquaculture farms like this, with moderate oyster densities (100–200 oysters m^?2), denitrification may be enhanced, but nonetheless limited by biodeposition-induced sediment anoxia. The resulting shift in the sediment N balance toward processes that regenerate reactive N to the water column rather than remove N is an important consideration for water quality.     

Inorganic nitrogen dynamics in intertidal rocky biofilms and sediments of the Douro River estuary (Portugal)

In this study rates of oxygen, ammonium (NH₄ ⁺), nitrate (NO₃ ⁻), nitrite (NO₂ ⁻), and nitrous oxide (N₂O) fluxes, nitrogen (N) fixation, nitrification, and denitrification were compared between two intertidal sites for which there is an abundant global literature, muddy and sandy sediments, and two sites representing the rocky intertidal zone where biogeochemical processes have scarcely been investigated. In almost all sites oxygen production rates greatly exceeded oxygen consumption rates. During daylight, NH₄ ⁺ and NO₃ ⁻ uptake rates together with ammonification could supply the different N requirements of the primary producer communities at all four sites; N assimilation by benthic or epilithic primary producers was the major process of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) removal; N fixation, nitrification, and denitrification were minor processes in the overall light DIN cycle. At night, distinct DIN cycling processes took place in the four environments, denitrification rates ranged from 9 ± 2 to 360 ± 30 μmol N₂ m⁻² h⁻¹, accounting for 10–48% of the water column NO₃ ⁻ uptake; nitrification rates varied from 0 to 1712 ± 666 μmol NH₄ ⁺ m⁻² h⁻¹. A conceptual model of N cycle dynamics showed major differences between intertidal sediment and rocky sites in terms of the mean rates of DIN net fluxes and the processes involved, with rocky biofilm showing generally higher fluxes. Of particular significance, the intertidal rocky biofilms released 10 times the amount of N₂O produced in intertidal sediments (up to 17 ± 6 μmol N₂O m⁻² h⁻¹), representing the highest N₂O release rates ever recorded for marine systems. The biogeochemical contributions of intertidal rocky substrata to estuarine and coastal processes warrant future detailed investigation.     

Nutrient Fluxes from Sediments in the San Francisco Bay Delta

In September 2011 and March 2012, benthic nutrient fluxes were measured in the San Francisco Bay Delta, across a gradient from above the confluence of the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers to Suisun Bay. Dark and illuminated core incubation techniques were used to measure rates of denitrification, nutrient fluxes (phosphate, ammonium, nitrate), and oxygen fluxes. While benthic nutrient fluxes have been assessed at several sites in northern San Francisco Bay, such data across a Delta–Bay transect have not previously been determined. Average September rates of DIN (nitrate, nitrite, ammonium) flux were net positive across all sites, while March DIN flux indicated net uptake of DIN at some sites. Denitrification rates based on the N₂/Ar ratio approach were between 0.6 and 1.0 mmol m^?2 day^?1, similar to other mesotrophic estuarine sediments. Coupled nitrification–denitrification was the dominant denitrification pathway in September, with higher overlying water nitrate concentrations in March resulting in denitrification driven by nitrate flux into the sediments. Estimated benthic microalgal productivity was variable and surprisingly high in Delta sediments and may represent a major source of labile carbon to this ecosystem. Variable N/P stoichiometry was observed in these sediments, with deviations from Redfield driven by processes such as denitrification, variable light/dark uptake of nutrients by microalgae, and adsorption of soluble reactive phosphorus.     

Nitrogen losses through sediment denitrification in Boston Harbor and Massachusetts Bay

Sediment denitrification is a microbial process that converts dissolved inorganic nitrogen in sediment porewaters to N₂ gas, which is subsequently lost to the atmosphere. In coastal waters, it represents a potentially important loss pathway for fixed nitrogen which might otherwise be available to primary producers. Currently, data are lacking to adequately assess the role of denitrification in reducing or remediating the effects of large anthropogenic nitrogen loads to the coastal zone. This study describes the results of 88 individual measurements of denitrification (as a direct flux of N₂ gas) in sediment cores taken over a 3-yr period (1991–1994) from six stations in Boston Harbor, nine stations in Massachusetts Bay, and two stations in Cape Cod Bay. The dataset is unique in its extensive spatial and temporal coverage and includes the first direct measurements of denitrification for North Atlantic shelf sediments. Results showed that rates of denitrification were significantly higher in Boston Harbor (mean=54, range<5–206 μmol N₂ m^?2 h^?1) than in Massachusetts Bay (mean=23, range<5–64 μmol N₂ m^?2 h^?1). Highest rates occurred in areas with organic-rich sediments in the harbor, with slower rates observed for low-organic sandy sediments in the harbor and at shallow shelf stations in the bay. Lowest rates were found at the deepest shelf stations, located in Stellwagen Basin in Massachusetts Bay. Observed rates were correlated with temperature, sediment carbon content, and benthic macrofaunal activity. Seasonally, highest denitrification rates occurred in the summer in Boston Harbor and in the spring and fall in Massachusetts Bay, coincident with peak phytoplankton blooms in the overlying water column. Despite the fact that sediment denitrification rates were high relative to rates reported for other East Coast estuaries, denitrification losses accounted for only 8% of the annual total nitrogen load to Boston Harbor, a consequence perhaps, of the short water-residence times (2–10 d) of the harbor.     

贵州百花湖分层晚期有机质降解过程与溶解N2O循环

百花湖是一个具有季节性分层的富营养小型湖泊,在秋季湖水倒转期经常发生水质恶化事件,碳氮循环出现异常。文章研究特选择在秋初,湖泊分层开始消失时,测定了湖水中不同深度的N₂O,CH₄,CO₂,有机和无机碳同位素以及其他化学参数变化。结果发现:采样时百花湖在约6m和16m深度附近出现了两个温度不连续层(SDL和PDL),并影响到有机颗粒的沉降和分解。相对而言,有较多的有机质在这两个层内发生降解,但降解的途径有所不同,上部主要是有氧降解,下部则主要是无氧降解过程。N₂O的产生和消耗与有机质的降解过程完全对应:PDL层以上,ΔN₂O与AOU的线性关系反映了N₂O主要形成于硝化作用;PDL层以下反硝化作用导致N₂O严重不饱和;PDL内位于硝化作用和反硝化作用过渡带的N₂O峰,显然是硝化与反硝化联合作用的结果。PDL层内较大的CH₄浓度变化梯度,说明嗜甲烷细菌可能通过氧化NH+4贡献了部分N₂O。百花湖秋、冬季表层湖水N₂O都是过饱和的,都是大气N₂O的源,依据分子扩散模型计算湖泊N₂O的释放通量在12～14μmol/m·day之间,秋、冬季没有明显的差别。秋季底层湖水的反硝化作用是湖泊N₂O的汇,其消耗通量与表层的释放通量基本相当。     

贵州百花湖分层晚期有机质降解过程与溶解N2O循环

百花湖是一个具有季节性分层的富营养小型湖泊,在秋季湖水倒转期经常发生水质恶化事件,碳氮循环出现异常。文章研究特选择在秋初,湖泊分层开始消失时,测定了湖水中不同深度的N₂O,CH₄,CO₂,有机和无机碳同位素以及其他化学参数变化。结果发现:采样时百花湖在约6m和16m深度附近出现了两个温度不连续层(SDL和PDL),并影响到有机颗粒的沉降和分解。相对而言,有较多的有机质在这两个层内发生降解,但降解的途径有所不同,上部主要是有氧降解,下部则主要是无氧降解过程。N₂O的产生和消耗与有机质的降解过程完全对应:PDL层以上,ΔN₂O与AOU的线性关系反映了N₂O主要形成于硝化作用;PDL层以下反硝化作用导致N₂O严重不饱和;PDL内位于硝化作用和反硝化作用过渡带的N₂O峰,显然是硝化与反硝化联合作用的结果。PDL层内较大的CH₄浓度变化梯度,说明嗜甲烷细菌可能通过氧化NH+4贡献了部分N₂O。百花湖秋、冬季表层湖水N₂O都是过饱和的,都是大气N₂O的源,依据分子扩散模型计算湖泊N₂O的释放通量在12～14μmol/m·day之间,秋、冬季没有明显的差别。秋季底层湖水的反硝化作用是湖泊N₂O的汇,其消耗通量与表层的释放通量基本相当。     

Fate of riverine nitrate entering an estuary: I. Denitrification and nitrogen burial

Fate of riverine nitrate entering a well defined turbid estuary receiving discharges from the Atchafalaya River, a distributary of the Mississippi River, was determined. Seasonal distribution of NO₃ and its transformations were measured in Four League Bay (9,300 ha). Denitrification was estimated by incubating wet samples in the presence of acetylene and monitoring N₂O production. The annual sediment accumulation of N was also determined within the bay and within the adjacent marshes. Nitrogen accumulation ranged from 6.0 to 23 gN per m² per yr on the marsh and 6.1 to 11.2 gN per m² per yr in the bay. Denitrification in this system was controlled by the availability of NO₃ ^? with fluxes ranging from 2 to 70 ngN per g per hr. The annual (N₂O +N₂)-N emission was equivalent to 142 and 120 μg per g or 2.1 and 1.7 gN per m² from the 5 bay and 5 marsh stations, respectively. Approximately 1.95×10⁵ kgN, predominantly as N₂, is being returned to the atmosphere via denitrification. We estimate this to be equivalent to 50% of the riverine NO₃ ^? entering this estuary. A significant amount was also assimilated within the estuary.     

A potential nitrogen sink discovered in the oxygenated Chukchi Shelf waters of the Arctic

The western Arctic Shelf has long been considered as an important sink of nitrogen because high primary productivity of the shelf water fuels active denitrification within the sediments, which has been recognized to account for all the nitrogen (N) removal of the Pacific water inflow. However, potentially high denitrifying activity was discovered within the oxygenated Chukchi Shelf water during our summer expedition. Based on ¹⁵N-isotope pairing incubations, we estimated denitrification rates ranging from 1.8 ± 0.4 to 75.9 ± 8.7 nmol N₂ L^?1 h^?1. We find that the spatial pattern of denitrifying activity follows well with primary productivity, which supplies plentiful fresh organic matter, and there was a strong correlation between integrated denitrification and integrated primary productivity. Considering the active hydrodynamics over the Chukchi Shelf during summer, resuspension of benthic sediment coupled with particle-associated bacteria induces an active denitrification process in the oxic water column. We further extrapolate to the whole Chukchi Shelf and estimate an N removal flux from this cold Arctic shelf water to be 12.2 Tg-N year^?1, which compensates for the difference between sediment cores incubation (~ 3 Tg-N year^?1) and geochemical estimation based on N deficit relative to phosphorous (~ 16 Tg-N year^?1). We infer that dynamic sediment resuspension combined with high biological productivity stimulates intensive denitrification in the water column, potentially creating a nitrogen sink over the shallow Arctic shelves that have previously been unrecognized.     

Assessing Nitrogen Dynamics Throughout the Estuarine Landscape

Assessing nitrogen dynamics in the estuarine landscape is challenging given the unique effects of individual habitats on nitrogen dynamics. We measured net N₂ fluxes, sediment oxygen demand, and fluxes of ammonium and nitrate seasonally from five major estuarine habitats: salt marshes, seagrass beds (SAV), oyster reefs, and intertidal and subtidal flats. Net N₂ fluxes ranged from 332?±?116 μmol?N-N₂?m^?2?h^?1 from oyster reef sediments in the summer to ?67?±?4 μmol?N-N₂?m^?2?h^?1 from SAV in the winter. Oyster reef sediments had the highest rate of N₂ production of all habitats. Dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA) was measured during the summer and winter. DNRA was low during the winter and ranged from 4.5?±?3.0 in subtidal flats to 104?±?34 μmol?¹⁵NH ₄ ⁺ ?m^?2?h^?1 in oyster reefs during the summer. Annual denitrification, accounting for seasonal differences in inundation and light, ranged from 161.1?±?19.2 mmol?N-N₂?m^?2?year^?1 for marsh sediments to 509.9?±?122.7 mmol?N-N₂?m^?2?year^?1 for SAV sediments. Given the current habitat distribution in our study system, an estimated 28.3?×?10⁶?mol of N are removed per year or 76 % of estimated watershed nitrogen load. These results indicate that changes in the area and distribution of habitats in the estuarine landscape will impact ecosystem function and services.