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Journal article
Effect of nutrient loading on biogeochemical and microbial processes in a New England salt marsh
Biogeochemistry, Vol.82, pp.251-264
82
2007
Web of Science ID: WOS:000244994300004
Abstract
Coastal marshes represent an important transitional zone between uplands and estuaries. One important function of marshes is to assimilate nutrient inputs from uplands, thus providing a buffer for anthropogenic nutrient loads. We examined the effects of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilization on biogeochemical and microbial processes during the summer growing season in a Spartina patens (Aiton (Muhl.) marsh in the Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve on Prudence Island (RI). Quadruplicate 1 m² plots were fertilized with N and P additions, N-only, P-only, or no additions. N-only addition significant stimulated bacterial production and increased pore water NH₄⁺ and NO₃⁻ concentrations. Denitrification rates ranged from 0 to 8 mmol m⁻² day⁻¹ . Fertilization had no apparent effect on soil oxygen consumption or denitrification measured in the summer in intact cores due to high core-to-core variation. P fertilization led to increased pore water dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP) concentrations and increased DIP release from soils. In contrast the control and N-only treatments had significant DIP uptake across the soil-water interface. The results suggest that in the summer fertilization has no apparent effect on denitrification rates, stimulates bacterial productivity, enhances pore water nutrient concentrations and alters some nutrient
fluxes across the marsh surface.
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Details
- Title
- Effect of nutrient loading on biogeochemical and microbial processes in a New England salt marsh
- Publication Details
- Biogeochemistry, Vol.82, pp.251-264
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publisher
- The Hague Kluwer Academic; Netherlands
- Series
- 82
- Copyright
- © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2007
- Identifiers
- WOS:000244994300004; 99380090633206600
- Academic Unit
- Center for Environmental Diagnostics and Bioremediation ; Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering ; Biology
- Language
- English