The release of nitrous oxide from the intertidal zones of two European estuaries in response to increased ammonium and nitrate loading.

Kenny, C.; Yamulki, S.; Blackwell, M.; Maltby, E.; French, P.; Birgand, F.

Nitrous oxide (N2O) release and denitrification rates were investigated from the intertidal saltmarsh and mudflats of two European river estuaries, the Couesnon in Normandy, France and the Torridge in Devon, UK. Sediment cores and water were collected from each study site and incubated for 72 h in tidal simulation chambers. Gas samples were collected at 6 and 12 h intervals from the chambers during incubation. From these N2O emission rates were calculated. The greatest rates for both N2O production and denitrification were measured from saltmarsh cores. These were 1032µmol N2O m-2 day-1 and 2518µmol N2 m-2 day-1, respectively, from the Couesnon and 109µmol N2O m-2 day-1 and 303µmol N2 m-2 day-1 from the Torridge. A strong positive correlation was apparent with N2O emission rates and ammonium concentration in the sediment, nitrate concentration in floodwater and sediment aerobicity.

NITROUS oxide; NITROGEN oxides; DENITRIFICATION; ESTUARIES; SEDIMENTATION & deposition; SEDIMENTS

Water, Air & Soil Pollution: Focus, 2004, Vol 4, Issue 6, p61

1567-7230

Academic Journal

10.1007/s11267-005-3014-z