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Gas Production in Sediments of Lake Mendota, Wisconsin
Author(s) -
Chen R. L.,
Keeney D. R.,
Konrad J. G.,
Holding A. J.,
Graetz D. A.
Publication year - 1972
Publication title -
journal of environmental quality
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1537-2537
pISSN - 0047-2425
DOI - 10.2134/jeq1972.00472425000100020010x
Subject(s) - anoxic waters , sediment , denitrification , nitrate , nitrate reductase , environmental chemistry , water column , atmosphere (unit) , chemistry , nitrogen , environmental science , hydrology (agriculture) , ecology , geology , biology , geomorphology , geography , organic chemistry , meteorology , geotechnical engineering
Nitrate added to Lake Mendota sediment samples incubated under anoxic conditions disappeared rapidly. When 15 NO 3 was added, 15 N 2 appeared in the atmosphere within 24 hours. Gas collected from sediments in situ contained from 24 to 50% N 2 and from 45 to 75% CH 4 . Sediment samples from three sites in the lake varying in depth of water column were incubated under He in the laboratory. Production of N 2 and CH 4 increased with time at a low (2 ppm) level of NO 3 ‐N addition, but CH 4 production was inhibited for at least 27 days by addition of 100 to 1000 ppm NO 3 ‐N. Production of N 2 was less at 1000 than at 500 ppm NO 3 ‐N added, probably due to suppression of the nitric oxide reductase enzyme system. Evidence was obtained that the denitrification pathway in lake sediments is the same as that reported for submerged soils. namely: NO 3 − → NO 2 − →→ N 2 O → N 2 .