Comparison of 15N 2 flux and acetylene inhibition denitrification methods in Atchafalaya River basin sediments
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
9-1-2011
Abstract
Flooded swamps in the Atchafalaya River basin, Louisiana, USA, are thought to be a major mechanism for removing excess riverine nitrate that may be causing hypoxia in coastal Louisiana. Two denitrification methods, the 15N 2 flux and acetylene inhibition technique, were compared and evaluated. Sediment samples were collected from three baldcypress swamp sites located within the Atchafalaya River basin. Highly 15N-labeled (61.7 at.%) and unlabeled nitrate (100 mgNO 3-NL -1) were applied to the floodwater of separate sets of sediment cores. Denitrification potential was measured 2, 6, 10, and 16 days after nitrate addition. Two days after nitrate addition, no significant differences in denitrification rates were observed between methods. On days 6, 10, and 16, denitrification measured by the 15N 2 method was higher compared to the acetylene inhibition procedure. When significance was observed, 15N 2 denitrification was approximately 5.3 times greater. © 2011 Taylor & Francis.
Publication Source (Journal or Book title)
Journal of Freshwater Ecology
First Page
337
Last Page
344
Recommended Citation
Lindau, C., Scaroni, A., Rivera-Monroy, V., & Nyman, J. (2011). Comparison of 15N 2 flux and acetylene inhibition denitrification methods in Atchafalaya River basin sediments. Journal of Freshwater Ecology, 26 (3), 337-344. https://doi.org/10.1080/02705060.2011.557480