Influence of sulfide inhibition of nitrification on nitrogen regeneration in sediments

Journal Article · Fri Oct 27 04:00:00 EDT 1995 · Science

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1126/science.270.5236.623· OSTI ID:171859

Joye, S B; Hollibaugh, J T ^[1]

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1. San Francisco State Univ., Tiburon, CA (United States)

Nitrification, a central process in the nitrogen cycle, converts ammonium to nitrite or nitrate. In experiments with estuarine sediment, addition of 60 and 100 {mu}M hydrogen sulfide (HS{sup -}) reduced nitrification by 50 and 100 percent, respectively. Aerobic incubation of ammonium-enriched sediment slurries showed that previous HS{sup -} exposure reduced nitrification for at least 24 hours; nitrification rates recovered slowly after one-time HS{sup -} exposure. Sulfide inhibition of nitrification could limit nitrogen loss through coupled nitrification-denitrification and may contribute to the previously observed difference in net nitrogen cycling between freshwater and marine sediments. This interaction could also exacerbate eutrophication in coastal environments. 24 refs., 4 figs.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 171859
• Journal Information: Science, Journal Name: Science Journal Issue: 5236 Vol. 270; ISSN SCIEAS; ISSN 0036-8075
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ESTUARIES
EUTROPHICATION
INHIBITION
NITRIFICATION
NITROGEN
NITROGEN CYCLE
REGENERATION
SEDIMENTS