scholarly journals Distribution of Dissolved Nitrogen Compounds in the Water Column of a Meromictic Subarctic Lake

Nitrogen ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 428-443
Author(s):  
Taisiya Ya. Vorobyeva ◽  
Anna A. Chupakova ◽  
Artem V. Chupakov ◽  
Svetlana A. Zabelina ◽  
Olga Y. Moreva ◽  
...  

In order to better understand the biogeochemical cycle of nitrogen in meromictic lakes, which can serve as a model for past aquatic environments, we measured dissolved concentrations of nitrate, nitrite, ammonium, and organic nitrogen in the deep (39 m maximal depth) subarctic Lake Svetloe (NW Russia). The lake is a rare type of freshwater meromictic water body with high concentrations of methane, ferrous iron, and manganese and low concentrations of sulfates and sulfides in the monimolimnion. In the oligotrophic mixolimnion, the concentration of mineral forms of nitrogen decreased in summer compared to winter, likely due to a phytoplankton bloom. The decomposition of the bulk of the organic matter occurs under microaerophilic/anaerobic conditions of the chemocline and is accompanied by the accumulation of nitrogen in the form of N-NH4 in the monimolimnion. We revealed a strong relationship between methane and nitrogen cycles in the chemocline and monimolimnion horizons. The nitrate concentrations in Lake Svetloe varied from 9 to 13 μM throughout the water column. This fact is rare for meromictic lakes, where nitrate concentrations up to 13 µM are found in the monimolimnion zone down to the bottom layers. We hypothesize, in accord with available data for other stratified lakes that under conditions of high concentrations of manganese and ammonium at the boundary of redox conditions and below, anaerobic nitrification with the formation of nitrate occurs. Overall, most of the organic matter in Lake Svetloe undergoes biodegradation essentially under microaerophilic/anaerobic conditions of the chemocline and the monimolimnion. Consequently, the manifestation of the biogeochemical nitrogen cycle is expressed in these horizons in the most vivid and complex relationship with other cycles of elements.

Author(s):  
Taisiya Y. Vorobyeva ◽  
Anna A. Chupakova ◽  
Artem V. Chupakov ◽  
Svetlana A. Zabelina ◽  
Moreva Y. Olga ◽  
...  

In order to better understand the biogeochemical cycle of nitrogen in meromictic lakes, which can serve as a model for past aquatic environments, we measured dissolved concentrations of nitrate, nitrite, ammonium and organic nitrogen in deep (39 m maximal depth) subarctic Lake Svetloe (NW Russia). The lake is a rare type of freshwater meromictic water boy with high concentrations of methane, ferrous iron, manganese and low concentrations of sulfates and sulfides in the monimolimnion. In the oligotrophic mixolimnion, the concentration of mineral forms of nitrogen decreased in summer compared to winter, likely due to phytoplankton bloom. The decomposition of the bulk of organic matter occurs under microaerophilic/anaerobic conditions of the chemocline and accompanied by the accumulation of nitrogen in the form of N-NH4 in the monimonimlion. We revealed a strong relationship between methane and nitrogen cycles in the chemocline and monimolimnion horizons. The nitrate concentrations in Lake Svetloe varied in the range from 9 to 13 μM throughout the water column. This fact is rare for meromictic lakes, where nitrate concentrations up to 13 µM are found in the monimolimnion zone down to the bottom layers. We hypothesize, in accord with available data for other stratified lakes, that under conditions of high concentrations of manganese and ammonium at the boundary of redox conditions and below, anaerobic nitrification with the formation of nitrates occurs. Overall, most of organic matter in Lake Svetloe undergoes biodegradation essentially under microaerophilic/anaerobic conditions of the chemocline and the monimolimnion. Consequently, the manifestation of the biogeochemical nitrogen cycle is expressed in these horizons in the most vivid and complex relationship with other cycles of elements.


1996 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 531 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Qui ◽  
AJ McComb

Air drying of intact sediment cores from a shallow freshwater wetland caused the release of a substantial amount of ammonium following reflooding. The increased ammonium concentration stimulated nitrification at a rate 10 times higher than in the original waterlogged sediments under aerated conditions. Under non-aerated conditions, nitrate concentrations decreased more rapidly in reflooded systems than in the waterlogged systems. Ammonium and nitrite had accumulated in the original waterlogged systems, but this was rare in reflooded dried cores because of the depletion of bioavailable organic carbon. These results suggest that drawdown and drying of wetlands can accelerate mineralization of the organic matter in sediment, and can temporarily increase ammonium and nitrate concentrations in the water column during reinundation. Drying and reflooding of wetland sediments may eventually increase N loss through promotion of denitrification.


2011 ◽  
Vol 64 (11) ◽  
pp. 2239-2245 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Faleschini ◽  
J. L. Esteves

To investigate the characteristics and degradation process in sludge profile, three sampling sessions were made in three different places inside the primary facultative pond of Puerto Madryn city, which was located in a region with a temperate climate in coastal Patagonia (Argentina). The sludge showed an extremely negative redox potential (between −441 and −282 mV) and elevated water content and organic matter concentration, ranging from 83.3 to 97.1% for porosity and from 22.5 to 64.4% for organic matter. The surface layer at the Outlet station during the summer showed the greatest concentration of pigments, reaching a maximum value of 10.6 mg/g for chlorophyll-a and 40.9 mg/g for phaeophytin, and a fast diminution with sediment depth. The important concentration of pigment in the surface layer, coincident with phytoplankton bloom in the water column, could support the importance of nitrogen removal via uptake and organic sedimentation in the water column. In warm months the degradation rate was clear, as reflected in a decrease in sediment layer, and even part of the clay bottom was captured inside an 8 cm core sample, registering extremely low concentrations of pigments, carbohydrates, proteins and lipids. The season and the degree of treatment have an influence on sludge characteristics and the organic matter degradation process.


1995 ◽  
Vol 32 (9-10) ◽  
pp. 57-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Kress ◽  
B. Herut ◽  
D. Angel

During September 1993, the water in Haifa Bay, Israel, turned brown and turbid, and a phytoplankton bloom was observed. Preliminary examination of the seawater showed very high concentrations of o-phosphate, nitrate and dissolved oxygen, and high pH values. In order to investigate this unusual occurrence and determine the environmental conditions that allowed for its development, the chemical and physical characteristics of the water column were measured, one during the unusual bloom in September and one during October 1993, after the bay appeared to have returned to normal. The distribution of nutrients and chlorophyll-a at the surface corresponded closely to that of the salinity and temperature, with high concentrations in the region close to the Kishon estuary, decreasing northward and westward. It was possible to determine that the Kishon river was the main source of the nutrients to the bay, originating from the effluents discharged into the river by a sewage treatment plant and nearby industries. During September, the input of nutrients from the Kishon to the bay was twice as in October, and this, together with favorable hydrographic conditions, most probably caused the unusual extensive phytoplankton bloom.


Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 202
Author(s):  
Meilian Chen ◽  
Ji-Hoon Kim ◽  
Sungwook Hong ◽  
Yun Kyung Lee ◽  
Moo Hee Kang ◽  
...  

Fjords in the high Arctic, as aquatic critical zones at the interface of land-ocean continuum, are undergoing rapid changes due to glacier retreat and climate warming. Yet, little is known about the biogeochemical processes in the Arctic fjords. We measured the nutrients and the optical properties of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in both seawater and sediment pore water, along with the remote sensing data of the ocean surface, from three West Svalbard fjords. A cross-fjord comparison of fluorescence fingerprints together with downcore trends of salinity, Cl−, and PO43− revealed higher impact of terrestrial inputs (fluorescence index: ~1.2–1.5 in seawaters) and glaciofluvial runoffs (salinity: ~31.4 ± 2.4 psu in pore waters) to the southern fjord of Hornsund as compared to the northern fjords of Isfjorden and Van Mijenfjorden, tallying with heavier annual runoff to the southern fjord of Hornsund. Extremely high levels of protein-like fluorescence (up to ~4.5 RU) were observed at the partially sea ice-covered fjords in summer, in line with near-ubiquity ice-edge blooms observed in the Arctic. The results reflect an ongoing or post-phytoplankton bloom, which is also supported by the higher levels of chlorophyll a fluorescence at the ocean surface, the very high apparent oxygen utilization through the water column, and the nutrient drawdown at the ocean surface. Meanwhile, a characteristic elongated fluorescence fingerprint was observed in the fjords, presumably produced by ice-edge blooms in the Arctic ecosystems. Furthermore, alkalinity and the humic-like peaks showed a general downcore accumulation trend, which implies the production of humic-like DOM via a biological pathway also in the glaciomarine sediments from the Arctic fjords.


Author(s):  
Michel Praet-Van

This ultrastructural investigation of gametogenesis in a deep-sea anemone of the Bay of Biscay trawled around 2000 m depth, contributes to the knowledge of biology and strategy of reproduction of deep-sea benthos.This sea anemone is dioecious. The sperm appears very similar to those of shallow water sea anemones of the genus, Calliactis. The ultrastructural investigation of oogenesis allows the characteristics of the stages of previtellogenesis and vitellogenesis to be defined. The latter begins with a period of lipogenesis correlated with the formation of a trophonema. Mature oocytes measure up to 180 (im in diameter. Study of spermatogenesis and oogenesis reveals that spawning occurs in April/May. In males, the main area of testicular cysts, full of sperm, reaches maximal development from March to May and, in females, the percentage of mature oocytes decreases from 33% in April to 1% in May.Spawning may be induced by the advent in the deep-sea of the products of the spring phytoplankton bloom. This period of spawning, during the increased deposition of organic matter to the deep-sea floor, may be an advantageous strategy for early development of Paracalliactis.


As emphasized by Dr Seilacher in his introduction to this symposium, and illustrated in the contribution by Mr Martill, some of the most important examples of fossil Lagersätten occur in marine shales of Mesozoic age. Many of the factors that control the types and preservation of fossils are the same as those that affect the authigenic mineralogy and geochemistry of the shales, notably the degree of aeration or stagnation of the water column and the quantity and quality of the organic matter supplied to the sediment. Perhaps the most important diagenetic reaction in marine shales is sulphate reduction by bacteria that are obligate anaerobes. They can operate in anoxic waters or in ‘reducing microenvironments’ (such as concentrations of organic matter, or enclosed voids within shells) in sediments whose pore waters are kept generally oxic by the effects of burrowing organisms. Sulphate is reduced to sulphide and in the presence of reduced iron this can be precipitated as iron sulphides, normally found in ancient sediments in the form of pyrite. Pyrite is thus a key mineral in studying shale diagenesis, for its geochemistry as well as for its direct importance in preserving fossils by replacement of soft-parts (see, for example, Stürmer 1984), of aragonitic shells (see, for example, Fisher 1985) and by forming internal moulds of chambered shells (see, for example, Hudson & Palframan 1969; Hudson 1982).


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melanie Münch ◽  
Rianne van Kaam ◽  
Karel As ◽  
Stefan Peiffer ◽  
Gerard ter Heerdt ◽  
...  

<p>The decline of surface water quality due to excess phosphorus (P) input is a global problem of increasing urgency. Finding sustainable measures to restore the surface water quality of eutrophic lakes with respect to P, other than by decreasing P inputs, remains a challenge. The addition of iron (Fe) salts has been shown to be effective in removing dissolved phosphate from the water column of eutrophic lakes. However, the resulting changes in biogeochemical processes in sediments as well as the long-term effects of Fe additions on P dynamics in both sediments and the water column are not well understood.</p><p>In this study, we assess the impact of past Fe additions on the sediment P biogeochemistry of Lake Terra Nova, a well-mixed shallow peat lake in the Netherlands. The Fe-treatment in 2010 efficiently reduced P release from the sediments to the surface waters for 6 years. Since then, the internal sediment P source in the lake has been increasing again with a growing trend over the years.</p><p>In 2020, we sampled sediments at three locations in Terra Nova, of which one received two times more Fe during treatment than the other two. Sediment cores from all sites were sectioned under oxygen-free conditions. Both the porewaters and sediments were analysed for their chemical composition, with sequential extractions providing insight into the sediment forms of P and Fe. Additional sediment cores were incubated under oxic and anoxic conditions and the respective fluxes of P and Fe across the sediment water interface were measured.</p><p>The results suggest that Fe and P dynamics in the lake sediments are strongly coupled. We also find that the P dynamics are sensitive to the amount of Fe supplied, even though enhanced burial of P in the sediment was not detected. The results of the sequential extraction procedure for P, which distinguishes P associated with humic acids and Fe oxides, as well as reduced flux of Fe(II) across the sediment water interface in the anoxic incubations, suggest a major role of organic matter in the interaction of Fe and P in these sediments.</p><p>Further research will include investigations of the role of organic matter and sulphur in determining the success of Fe-treatment in sequestering P in lake sediments. Based on these data in combination with reactive transport modelling we aim to constrain conditions for successful lake restoration through Fe addition.</p>


2019 ◽  
Vol 70 (3) ◽  
pp. 382 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nidia I. Tobón Velázquez ◽  
Mario Rebolledo Vieyra ◽  
Adina Paytan ◽  
Kyle H. Broach ◽  
Laura M. Hernández Terrones

The aim of the study is to determine the distribution of trace and major elements in the water and in the sediments of the south part of the Bacalar Lagoon and to identify the sources of the trace elements and their changes over time. The western part of the lagoon water column is characterised by high concentrations of Ca2+, HCO3– and Sr2+, derived from groundwater input. In contrast, the eastern part of the lagoon is characterised by high concentrations of Mg2+, Na+ and Cl–. The lagoon is not affected by present-day seawater intrusion. Water column and sediment geochemical analyses performed in Bacalar Lagoon show clear spatial distribution of different parameters. The saturation index of the water column indicates three main groups: (1) a zone oversaturated with regard to aragonite, calcite and dolomite; (2) an undersaturated area where all three minerals are dissolving; and (3) an area with calcite equilibrium and undersaturation with regard to the other minerals. Herein we present the first measurements of trace element (Ba2+, Mn2+, K+, Ni2+, Zn2+) concentrations in carbonates obtained from sediments in Bacalar Lagoon. In order to evaluate whether the trace elements are derived from natural or anthropogenic sources, four pollution indices were calculated. The results confirmed that Bacalar Lagoon sediments are not contaminated with Ni2+, K+, Mn2+ and Ba2+, and that the Zn2+ seems to have a predominantly anthropogenic origin.


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