Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Trace Metal Dynamics and Limitations on Biogeochemical Cycling in Wetland Soils and Hyporheic Zones

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/1908790· OSTI ID:1908790
 [1];  [2]
  1. Washington University, St. Louis, MO (United States); Washington University
  2. Washington University, St. Louis, MO (United States)

Biogeochemical cycling in subsurface aquatic systems is driven by anaerobic microbial processes that employ metalloenzymes. Pure culture studies reveal that low availability of trace metals may inhibit methanogenesis, mercury methylation, and reduction of N2O to N2 during denitrification. However, whether such limitations occur in natural subsurface aquatic systems is currently unclear. This project sought to establish mechanistic links between trace metal availability and biogeochemical transformations in subsurface systems. Integrated field and laboratory studies of trace metal availability and biogeochemical processes were conducted in riparian wetlands in the Tims Branch watershed at the Savannah River Site, marsh wetlands at Argonne National Laboratory, and the streambed of East Fork Poplar Creek at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, with supplemental work with wetland soils from sites in Missouri and Florida.

Research Organization:
Washington University, St. Louis, MO (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC), Biological and Environmental Research (BER). Earth & Environmental Systems Science (EESS)
Contributing Organization:
Argonne National Laboratory; Oak Ridge National Laboratory; Savannah River National Laboratory
DOE Contract Number:
SC0019422
OSTI ID:
1908790
Report Number(s):
DOE-WUSTL--0019422
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English