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MEPS 191:33-41 (1999)
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Abstract
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Nitrification rates related to sedimentary structures in an Atlantic intertidal mudflat, Marennes-Oléron Bay, France
M. J. C. Laima1,*, M. F. Girard2, F. Vouvé2, P. Richard2, G. Blanchard3, D. Gouleau2
1Aarhus University, Department of Earth Sciences, Ny Munkegade, Building 520, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
2CREMA, CNRS-IFREMER, Place du Séminaire, BP 5, 17137 L'Houmeau, France
3University of La Rochelle, Department of Biology, LBBM, 17042 La Rochelle, France
*E-mail: geomario@aau.dk
ABSTRACT: Rates of actual nitrification through acetylene blockage of NH4+ oxidation and potential nitrification were measured in 2 intertidal geomorphological structures, 'ridges and runnels', at Marennes-Oléron Bay, France.
Nitrification rates were 6 times higher in runnels as compared to ridges and their O2 gradients with depth were different. Calculated N mineralization rates averaged 1.66 mmol m-2 d-1 in runnels versus 0.29 mmol
m-2 d-1 in ridges: Over 70% of this produced NH4+ was nitrified and thus became potentially available for denitrification. In neither ridges nor runnels was there a significant correlation between potential
nitrification and pH, Eh or pore water NH4+ (p > 0.05), but the correlation between potential nitrification and pore water NO3- was significant in runnels (p <\ 0.05). The presence of nitrifying
bacteria below the depth of O2 penetration in sediment suggests that mixing processes have a role in controlling nitrification in this mudflat.
KEY WORDS: Atlantic · Intertidal mudflats · Nitrification · Ridges · Runnels
Published in MEPS Vol.
191
(1999) on December 30
Print ISSN: 0171-8630; Online ISSN: 1616-1599.
Copyright © Inter-Research, Oldendorf/Luhe, 1999
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