An Experimental Study on Effects of Submersed Macrophytes on Nitrification and Denitrification in Ammonium-Rich Aquatic Systems

We have examined the role of microbial communities on the surface of submersed macrophytes and in the underlying sediment for nitrification and denitrification in light and dark in NH+ 4-enriched microcosm systems using isotope pairing and dilution techniques. Potamogeton pectinatus L. and intact se...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Limnology and oceanography 1999-12, Vol.44 (8), p.1993-1999
Main Authors: Eriksson, Peder G., Stefan E. B. Weisner
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Applied ecology
Bacteria
Biological and medical sciences
Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution
Fresh water
Fresh water environment
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Macrophytes
Nitrification
Pectinatus
Potamogeton pectinatus
Rates of change
Sediments
Surface areas
Vegetation
Wastewater
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Summary:We have examined the role of microbial communities on the surface of submersed macrophytes and in the underlying sediment for nitrification and denitrification in light and dark in NH+ 4-enriched microcosm systems using isotope pairing and dilution techniques. Potamogeton pectinatus L. and intact sediment cores were collected in a shallow reservoir receiving treated municipal wastewater and containing dense submersed vegetation. Chambers containing P. pectinatus shoots, sediment, or both P. pectinatus shoots and sediment were exposed to 6 h of darkness, 6 h of light, and 6 h of darkness.14NH+ 4and15NO- 3were added at ambient concentrations of 15 and 5 mg N liter-1, respectively. NH+ 4was primarily nitrified in the epiphytic microbial communities, and NO- 3was denitrified in the underlying sediment. In chambers containing macrophytes, there was a net production of 02and NO- 3in light and a net consumption in dark, and nitrification was higher in light than in dark. In chambers with only sediment, there was always a net consumption of NO- 3, and nitrification was similar in light and dark. The results show that submersed macrophytes can be important for the N metabolism in NH+ 4-rich freshwaters (e.g., wastewater treatment systems) by stimulating nitrification through providing surfaces for attached nitrifying bacteria and possibly also through diurnal changes in the water chemistry.
ISSN:0024-3590
1939-5590
1939-5590
DOI:10.4319/lo.1999.44.8.1993