Spatial variations in sedimentary N-transformation rates in the North Sea (German Bight)
In this study, we investigate the role of sedimentary N cycling in the southern North Sea. We present a budget of ammonification, nitrification and sedimentary inline-formula
We find that ammonification and oxygen penetration depth are the main drivers of sedimentary nitrification, but this nitrification is closely linked to denitrification. One-third of freshly produced nitrate in impermeable sediment and two-thirds in permeable sediment were reduced to inline-formulaN2. The semi-permeable and permeable sediments are responsible for inline-formula∼68 % of the total benthic inline-formulaN2 production rates, which, based solely on our data, amounts to inline-formula∼1030 t N dinline-formula−1 in the southern North Sea. Thus, we conclude that semi-permeable and permeable sediments are the main sinks of reactive N, counteracting eutrophication in the southern North Sea (German Bight).
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