Nitrogen budget in a microbial mat in the Camargue (southern France)

The main processes associated with the nitrogen cycle were studied in a microbial mat and in the surrounding water during winter (January), spring (March) and summer (June) in the Camargue (southeastern France). Denitrification, nitrogen fixation, nitrification, dissimilative reduction of nitrate, t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Marine ecology. Progress series (Halstenbek) 2006-09, Vol.322, p.75-84
Main Authors: Bonin, Patricia C., Michotey, Valerie D.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Alkynes
Animal and plant ecology
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Biofilms
Biological and medical sciences
Brackish
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Nitrates
Nitrification
Nitrogen
Nitrogen cycle
Oxygen
Quaternary ammonium compounds
Sea water ecosystems
Seasons
Sediments
Synecology
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Summary:The main processes associated with the nitrogen cycle were studied in a microbial mat and in the surrounding water during winter (January), spring (March) and summer (June) in the Camargue (southeastern France). Denitrification, nitrogen fixation, nitrification, dissimilative reduction of nitrate, together with mineralization and ammonium assimilation, were measured under dark and light conditions using inhibitor and nitrogen isotope (15N). All these microbial processes were expressed in the mat. The isotope pairing method allowed the identification of the source of denitrified nitrate. It appeared that a major part of the nitrate formed by nitrification was denitrified and that nitrification was a considerable source of nitrate in spring and summer. From variations in net flux (fixation versus denitrification activities), we conclude that the mat acted as a nitrogen source in summer, but as a sink in winter.
ISSN:0171-8630
1616-1599
DOI:10.3354/meps322075