Importance of denitrification and nitrous oxide production in the nitrogen dynamics and ecology of Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island
Denitrification (N/sub 2/ flux) measurements were made in sediment cores collected from three stations in Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, during various times throughout a year. Denitrification rates ranged from approximately 10 ..mu..g-at m/sup -2/ h/sup -1/ at 2/sup 0/C in sediments from the relatively polluted site in the Providence River area to 115 ..mu..g-at m/sup -2/ h/sup -1/ in October collected sediments (15/sup 0/C) from both the Providence River and Offshore sites. The amount of nitrogen involved in denitrification in Narragansett Bay sediments accounts for approximately 35% of the organic nitrogen being remineralized in the sediments. The rest is being returned to the water column as NH/sub 4//sup +/, NO/sub 3//sup -/ and NO/sub 2//sup -/. Denitrification represents a major sink for fixed nitrogen in the Bay, since annually N/sub 2/ production is equal to approximately 50% of the fixed inorganic nitrogen loading to the Bay. This loss of a major portion of the nitrogen loading as N/sub 2/ during the benthic remineralization of organic matter in coastal sediments may be an important sink in the global marine nitrogen budget. Narragansett Bay sediments are also a source of nitrous oxide. Rates of N/sub 2/O production ranged from 20 to over 900 nmol m/sup -2/ h/sup -1/. Higher N/sub 2/O production rates were measured from polluted sediments compared to relatively unpolluted sediments, indicating that cultural eutrophication of coastal areas may result in increased global production of this gas which is involved in stratospheric ozone destruction.
- OSTI ID:
- 5869661
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Thesis (Ph. D.)
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
NITROUS OXIDE
DIFFUSION
SEDIMENTS
DENITRIFICATION
BAYS
DYNAMICS
ECOLOGY
MINERALIZATION
NITROGEN
RHODE ISLAND
RIVERS
SINKS
WATER POLLUTION
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
ELEMENTS
FEDERAL REGION I
MECHANICS
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN OXIDES
NONMETALS
NORTH AMERICA
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
STREAMS
SURFACE WATERS
USA
520200* - Environment
Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)