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. 2011 Mar;5(3):565-7.
doi: 10.1038/ismej.2010.134. Epub 2010 Oct 14.

High rates of denitrification and nitrate removal in cold seep sediments

Marshall Bowles  1 , Samantha Joye
Affiliations

High rates of denitrification and nitrate removal in cold seep sediments

Marshall Bowles et al. ISME J. 2011 Mar.

Abstract

We measured denitrification and nitrate removal rates in cold seep sediments from the Gulf of Mexico. Heterotrophic potential denitrification rates were assayed in time-series incubations. Surficial sediments inhabited by Beggiatoa exhibited higher heterotrophic potential denitrification rates (32 μM N reduced day(-1)) than did deeper sediments (11 μM N reduced day(-1)). Nitrate removal rates were high in both sediment horizons. These nitrate removal rates translate into rapid turnover times (<1 day) for the nitrate pool, resulting in a faster turnover for the nitrate pool than for the sulfate pool. Together, these data underscore the rigorous nature of internal nitrogen cycling at cold seeps and the requirement for novel mechanisms to provide nitrate to the sediment microbial community.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
(a) Geochemical constituent NH4+ (μ), NO3− (μ), NO2− (μ), SO42− (m) and H2S (μ) versus depth (cm). (b) Average concentrations of reactant, NO3− (μ), and potential products, NO2−, 29N2 and 30N2 (μ) versus time (h) for slurried sediments from 0 to 6 cm, as well as (c) 6–12 cm horizons.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Turnover times (day) of nitrate and sulfate from MC118 (sulfate turnover time calculated from the data in Bowles et al., in press) due to total nitrate removal and heterotrophic potential denitrification, and SR, respectively.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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    1. Bowles MW, Samarkin VA, Bowles KM, Joye SB. Weak coupling between sulfate reduction and the anaerobic oxidation of methane in methane-rich seafloor sediments. Geochim Cosmochim Acta. in press.
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    1. Joye SB, Boetius A, Orcutt BN, Montoya JP, Schulz HN, Erickson MJ, et al. The anaerobic oxidation of methane and sulfate reduction in sediments from Gulf of Mexico cold seeps. Chem Geol. 2004;205:219–238.
    1. Joye SB, Bowles MW, Samarkin VA, Hunter KS, Niemann H.2010Biogeochemical signatures and microbial activity of different cold seep habitats along the Gulf of Mexico lower slope Deep Sea Res,doi: 10.1016/j.dsr2.2010.06.001 - DOI

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