This document summarizes a study that observed the process of denitrification in two sediment-water systems. The study found that the average rate of denitrification was 50 mg N-NO3- m-2 day-1 for lake sediments and 171 mg N-NO3- m-2 day-1 for river sediments. Continuous measurements of redox potential allowed determination of the denitrification zone and its migration into the sediments. Denitrification occurred close to the oxygenated surface of the sediments. Kinetic studies showed the denitrification reactions followed first-order kinetics likely due to depletion of organic matter and diffusion-limited transport of nitrate into the sediments, with diffusion of nitrate being a major factor controlling the
This document summarizes a study that observed the process of denitrification in two sediment-water systems. The study found that the average rate of denitrification was 50 mg N-NO3- m-2 day-1 for lake sediments and 171 mg N-NO3- m-2 day-1 for river sediments. Continuous measurements of redox potential allowed determination of the denitrification zone and its migration into the sediments. Denitrification occurred close to the oxygenated surface of the sediments. Kinetic studies showed the denitrification reactions followed first-order kinetics likely due to depletion of organic matter and diffusion-limited transport of nitrate into the sediments, with diffusion of nitrate being a major factor controlling the
This document summarizes a study that observed the process of denitrification in two sediment-water systems. The study found that the average rate of denitrification was 50 mg N-NO3- m-2 day-1 for lake sediments and 171 mg N-NO3- m-2 day-1 for river sediments. Continuous measurements of redox potential allowed determination of the denitrification zone and its migration into the sediments. Denitrification occurred close to the oxygenated surface of the sediments. Kinetic studies showed the denitrification reactions followed first-order kinetics likely due to depletion of organic matter and diffusion-limited transport of nitrate into the sediments, with diffusion of nitrate being a major factor controlling the
The process of denitrification was observed in vitro for two
sediment-water systems. Overlying water was adjusted to a pH of 7.0, a temperature of 20ºC and a nitrate concentration of 10.0 mg L-1 N-NO3-. Dissolved oxygen was maintained at a concentration above 6.0 mg L-1 O2 and incubations were carried out in the dark. These conditions insured that reduction of nitrate would result only from denitrification occurring in the sediments.
The average rate of the denitrification, calculated from the amount of
nitrate removed during about one year of incubation, was 50 mg N-NO3- m-2 day-1 for lake sediments and 171 mg N-NO3- m-2 day-1 for river sediments. Continuous measurements of the redox potential at various depths in the sediments allowed determination of the zone of denitrification and estimation of its migration into the sediment. Denitrification in the sediments occurred in close proximity to the oxygenated surface of sediments.
Study of the kinetics of the denitrification process showed that the
reactions for both sediment types were first-order. The exponential character of the reactions was presumably due to depletion of organic matter and could in part be a consequence of the diffusion- limited transport of nitrate into sediments. Diffusion of nitrate into the sediments was a major factor controlling denitrification rate. Marine and Freshwater Research 46(1) 27 - 31