1
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Rushworth DD, Schenkeveld WDC, Kumar N, Noël V, Dewulf J, van Helmond NAGM, Slomp CP, Lehmann MF, Kraemer SM. Solid phase speciation controls copper mobilisation from marine sediments by methanobactin. Sci Total Environ 2024:173046. [PMID: 38735326 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
Although marine environments represent huge reservoirs of the potent greenhouse gas methane, they currently contribute little to global net methane emissions. Most of the methane is oxidized by methanotrophs, minimizing escape to the atmosphere. Aerobic methanotrophs oxidize methane mostly via the copper (Cu)-bearing enzyme particulate methane monooxygenase (pMMO). Therefore, aerobic methane oxidation depends on sufficient Cu acquisition by methanotrophs. Because they require both oxygen and methane, aerobic methanotrophs reside at oxic-anoxic interfaces, often close to sulphidic zones where Cu bioavailability can be limited by poorly soluble Cu sulphide mineral phases. Under Cu-limiting conditions, certain aerobic methanotrophs exude Cu-binding ligands termed chalkophores, such as methanobactin (mb) exuded by Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b. Our main objective was to establish whether chalkophores can mobilise Cu from Cu sulphide-bearing marine sediments to enhance Cu bioavailability. Through a series of kinetic batch experiments, we investigated Cu mobilisation by mb from a set of well-characterized sulphidic marine sediments differing in sediment properties, including Cu content and phase distribution. Characterization of solid-phase Cu speciation included X-ray absorption spectroscopy and a targeted sequential extraction. Furthermore, in batch experiments, we investigated to what extent adsorption of metal-free mb and Cu-mb complexes to marine sediments constrains Cu mobilisation. Our results are the first to show that both solid phase Cu speciation and chalkophore adsorption can constrain methanotrophic Cu acquisition from marine sediments. Only for certain sediments did mb addition enhance dissolved Cu concentrations. Cu mobilisation by mb was not correlated to the total Cu content of the sediment, but was controlled by solid-phase Cu speciation. Cu was only mobilised from sediments containing a mono-Cu-sulphide (CuSx) phase. We also show that mb adsorption to sediments limits Cu acquisition by mb to less compact (surface) sediments. Therefore, in sulphidic sediments, mb-mediated Cu acquisition is presumably constrained to surface-sediment interfaces containing mono-Cu-sulphide phases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle D Rushworth
- Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Environmental Sciences, Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Walter D C Schenkeveld
- Soil Chemistry and Chemical Soil Quality, Environmental Sciences, Wageningen University, Wageningen, Netherlands.
| | - Naresh Kumar
- Soil Chemistry and Chemical Soil Quality, Environmental Sciences, Wageningen University, Wageningen, Netherlands.
| | - Vincent Noël
- Environmental Geochemistry Group at SLAC, Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL), SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, USA
| | - Jannes Dewulf
- Environmental Sciences, Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Niels A G M van Helmond
- Geochemistry, Department of Earth Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands; Department of Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Caroline P Slomp
- Geochemistry, Department of Earth Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands; Department of Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Moritz F Lehmann
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Stephan M Kraemer
- Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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2
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Venetz J, Żygadłowska OM, Dotsios N, Wallenius AJ, van Helmond NAGM, Lenstra WK, Klomp R, Slomp CP, Jetten MSM, Veraart AJ. Seasonal dynamics of the microbial methane filter in the water column of a eutrophic coastal basin. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2024; 100:fiae007. [PMID: 38281061 PMCID: PMC10939384 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiae007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 01/29/2024] Open
Abstract
In coastal waters, methane-oxidizing bacteria (MOB) can form a methane biofilter and mitigate methane emissions. The metabolism of these MOBs is versatile, and the resilience to changing oxygen concentrations is potentially high. It is still unclear how seasonal changes in oxygen availability and water column chemistry affect the functioning of the methane biofilter and MOB community composition. Here, we determined water column methane and oxygen depth profiles, the methanotrophic community structure, methane oxidation potential, and water-air methane fluxes of a eutrophic marine basin during summer stratification and in the mixed water in spring and autumn. In spring, the MOB diversity and relative abundance were low. Yet, MOB formed a methane biofilter with up to 9% relative abundance and vertical niche partitioning during summer stratification. The vertical distribution and potential methane oxidation of MOB did not follow the upward shift of the oxycline during summer, and water-air fluxes remained below 0.6 mmol m-2 d-1. Together, this suggests active methane removal by MOB in the anoxic water. Surprisingly, with a weaker stratification, and therefore potentially increased oxygen supply, methane oxidation rates decreased, and water-air methane fluxes increased. Thus, despite the potential resilience of the MOB community, seasonal water column dynamics significantly influence methane removal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Venetz
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Olga M Żygadłowska
- Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, 3508 TA Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Nicky Dotsios
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Anna J Wallenius
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Niels A G M van Helmond
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, 3508 TA Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Wytze K Lenstra
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, 3508 TA Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Robin Klomp
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, 3508 TA Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Caroline P Slomp
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, 3508 TA Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Mike S M Jetten
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Annelies J Veraart
- Department of Aquatic Ecology and Environmental Biology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Münch MA, van Kaam R, As K, Peiffer S, Heerdt GT, Slomp CP, Behrends T. Impact of iron addition on phosphorus dynamics in sediments of a shallow peat lake 10 years after treatment. Water Res 2024; 248:120844. [PMID: 38006830 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/27/2023]
Abstract
Internal phosphorus (P) loading is a key water quality challenge for shallow lakes. Addition of iron (Fe) salts has been used to enhance P retention in lake sediments. However, its effects on sediment geochemistry are poorly studied, albeit pivotal for remediation success. Here, we assess the factors controlling the retention of P and long-term effects following application of FeCl3 (0.5-1 mol Fe/m2, 2010) in the eutrophic, shallow peat lake Terra Nova (the Netherlands). Treatment reduced P levels in the lake for two years, but afterwards summer release of P intensified, resulting in higher surface water P concentrations than before treatment. Porewater and sediment analyses indicate that the majority of the added Fe is still undergoing redox cycling within the top 10 cm of sediment accounting for the binding of up to 70 % of sedimentary P. Sequential extractions further suggest that organic matter (OM) plays a key role in the resulting P and Fe dynamics: While reduction of P binding Fe(III) phases results in P release to porewaters, the produced Fe2+ remains bound to the solid phase presumably stabilized by OM. This causes P release from the sediments in excess to Fe during temporary low oxygen conditions in summer months, as confirmed by whole core flux incubation experiments. Quantitative coprecipitation of P with Fe upon reoxygenation of the water body is then impossible, leading to a gradual increase in surface water P. This first long-term study on a shallow peat lake underpins the role of OM for Fe cycling and the need to carefully consider the sediment properties and diagenetic pathways in the planning of Fe-amendments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie A Münch
- Utrecht University, Princetonlaan 8A, 3584CB Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | - Rianne van Kaam
- Utrecht University, Princetonlaan 8A, 3584CB Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Karel As
- University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstrasse 30, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Stefan Peiffer
- University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstrasse 30, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Gerard Ter Heerdt
- Waternet, Korte Oudekerkerdijk 7, 1096 AC Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Caroline P Slomp
- Utrecht University, Princetonlaan 8A, 3584CB Utrecht, the Netherlands; Radboud University, Heyendaalsweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Thilo Behrends
- Utrecht University, Princetonlaan 8A, 3584CB Utrecht, the Netherlands
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Pelsma KAJ, van Helmond NAGM, Lenstra WK, Röckmann T, Jetten MSM, Slomp CP, Welte CU. Anaerobic methanotrophy is stimulated by graphene oxide in a brackish urban canal sediment. Environ Microbiol 2023; 25:3104-3115. [PMID: 37679859 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.16501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
Anthropogenic activities are influencing aquatic environments through increased chemical pollution and thus are greatly affecting the biogeochemical cycling of elements. This has increased greenhouse gas emissions, particularly methane, from lakes, wetlands, and canals. Most of the methane produced in anoxic sediments is converted into carbon dioxide by methanotrophs before it reaches the atmosphere. Anaerobic oxidation of methane requires an electron acceptor such as sulphate, nitrate, or metal oxides. Here, we explore the anaerobic methanotrophy in sediments of three urban canals in Amsterdam, covering a gradient from freshwater to brackish conditions. Biogeochemical analysis showed the presence of a shallow sulphate-methane transition zone in sediments of the most brackish canal, suggesting that sulphate could be a relevant electron acceptor for anaerobic methanotrophy in this setting. However, sediment incubations amended with sulphate or iron oxides (ferrihydrite) did not lead to detectable rates of methanotrophy. Despite the presence of known nitrate-dependent anaerobic methanotrophs (Methanoperedenaceae), no nitrate-driven methanotrophy was observed in any of the investigated sediments either. Interestingly, graphene oxide stimulated anaerobic methanotrophy in incubations of brackish canal sediment, possibly catalysed by anaerobic methanotrophs of the ANME-2a/b clade. We propose that natural organic matter serving as electron acceptor drives anaerobic methanotrophy in brackish sediments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koen A J Pelsma
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Netherlands Earth System Science Centre, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Niels A G M van Helmond
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Wytze K Lenstra
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Netherlands Earth System Science Centre, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Thomas Röckmann
- Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Mike S M Jetten
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Netherlands Earth System Science Centre, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Caroline P Slomp
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Netherlands Earth System Science Centre, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Cornelia U Welte
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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5
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Venetz J, Żygadłowska OM, Lenstra WK, van Helmond NAGM, Nuijten GHL, Wallenius AJ, Dalcin Martins P, Slomp CP, Jetten MSM, Veraart AJ. Versatile methanotrophs form an active methane biofilter in the oxycline of a seasonally stratified coastal basin. Environ Microbiol 2023; 25:2277-2288. [PMID: 37381163 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.16448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
The potential and drivers of microbial methane removal in the water column of seasonally stratified coastal ecosystems and the importance of the methanotrophic community composition for ecosystem functioning are not well explored. Here, we combined depth profiles of oxygen and methane with 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, metagenomics and methane oxidation rates at discrete depths in a stratified coastal marine system (Lake Grevelingen, The Netherlands). Three amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) belonging to different genera of aerobic Methylomonadaceae and the corresponding three methanotrophic metagenome-assembled genomes (MOB-MAGs) were retrieved by 16S rRNA sequencing and metagenomic analysis, respectively. The abundances of the different methanotrophic ASVs and MOB-MAGs peaked at different depths along the methane oxygen counter-gradient and the MOB-MAGs show a quite diverse genomic potential regarding oxygen metabolism, partial denitrification and sulphur metabolism. Moreover, potential aerobic methane oxidation rates indicated high methanotrophic activity throughout the methane oxygen counter-gradient, even at depths with low in situ methane or oxygen concentration. This suggests that niche-partitioning with high genomic versatility of the present Methylomonadaceae might contribute to the functional resilience of the methanotrophic community and ultimately the efficiency of methane removal in the stratified water column of a marine basin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Venetz
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Olga M Żygadłowska
- Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Wytze K Lenstra
- Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Niels A G M van Helmond
- Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Guylaine H L Nuijten
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Anna J Wallenius
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Paula Dalcin Martins
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Caroline P Slomp
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Mike S M Jetten
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Annelies J Veraart
- Department of Aquatic Ecology and Environmental Biology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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6
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Lenstra WK, van Helmond NAGM, Martins PD, Wallenius AJ, Jetten MSM, Slomp CP. Gene-Based Modeling of Methane Oxidation in Coastal Sediments: Constraints on the Efficiency of the Microbial Methane Filter. Environ Sci Technol 2023; 57:12722-12731. [PMID: 37585543 PMCID: PMC10469488 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c02023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas that is produced in large quantities in marine sediments. Microbially mediated oxidation of methane in sediments, when in balance with methane production, prevents the release of methane to the overlying water. Here, we present a gene-based reactive transport model that includes both microbial and geochemical dynamics and use it to investigate whether the rate of growth of methane oxidizers in sediments impacts the efficiency of the microbial methane filter. We focus on iron- and methane-rich coastal sediments and, with the model, show that at our site, up to 10% of all methane removed is oxidized by iron and manganese oxides, with the remainder accounted for by oxygen and sulfate. We demonstrate that the slow growth rate of anaerobic methane-oxidizing microbes limits their ability to respond to transient perturbations, resulting in periodic benthic release of methane. Eutrophication and deoxygenation decrease the efficiency of the microbial methane filter further, thereby enhancing the role of coastal environments as a source of methane to the atmosphere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wytze K. Lenstra
- Department
of Earth Sciences—Geochemistry, Utrecht
University, Princetonlaan 8a, 3584 CB Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department
of Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental
Sciences, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Niels A. G. M. van Helmond
- Department
of Earth Sciences—Geochemistry, Utrecht
University, Princetonlaan 8a, 3584 CB Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department
of Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental
Sciences, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Paula Dalcin Martins
- Department
of Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental
Sciences, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Anna J. Wallenius
- Department
of Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental
Sciences, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Mike S. M. Jetten
- Department
of Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental
Sciences, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Caroline P. Slomp
- Department
of Earth Sciences—Geochemistry, Utrecht
University, Princetonlaan 8a, 3584 CB Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department
of Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental
Sciences, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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7
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Haukelidsaeter S, Boersma AS, Kirwan L, Corbetta A, Gorres ID, Lenstra WK, Schoonenberg FK, Borger K, Vos L, van der Wielen PWJJ, van Kessel MAHJ, Lücker S, Slomp CP. Influence of filter age on Fe, Mn and NH 4+ removal in dual media rapid sand filters used for drinking water production. Water Res 2023; 242:120184. [PMID: 37429136 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023]
Abstract
Rapid sand filtration is a common method for removal of iron (Fe), manganese (Mn) and ammonium (NH4+) from anoxic groundwaters used for drinking water production. In this study, we combine geochemical and microbiological data to assess how filter age influences Fe, Mn and NH4+ removal in dual media filters, consisting of anthracite overlying quartz sand, that have been in operation for between ∼2 months and ∼11 years. We show that the depth where dissolved Fe and Mn removal occurs is reflected in the filter medium coatings, with ferrihydrite forming in the anthracite in the top of the filters (< 1 m), while birnessite-type Mn oxides are mostly formed in the sand (> 1 m). Removal of NH4+ occurs through nitrification in both the anthracite and sand and is the key driver of oxygen loss. Removal of Fe is independent of filter age and is always efficient (> 97% removal). In contrast, for Mn, the removal efficiency varies with filter age, ranging from 9 to 28% at ∼2-3 months after filter replacement to 100% after 8 months. After 11 years, removal reduces to 60-80%. The lack of Mn removal in the youngest filters (at 2-3 months) is likely the result of a relatively low abundance of mineral coatings that adsorb Mn2+ and provide surfaces for the establishment of a microbial community. 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing shows that Gallionella, which are known Fe2+ oxidizers, are present after 2 months, yet Fe2+ removal is mostly chemical. Efficient NH4+ removal (> 90%) establishes within 3 months of operation but leakage occurs upon high NH4+loading (> 160 µM). Two-step nitrification by Nitrosomonas and Candidatus Nitrotoga is likely the most important NH4+ removal mechanism in younger filters during ripening (2 months), after which complete ammonia oxidation by Nitrospira and canonical two-step nitrification occur simultaneously in older filters. Our results highlight the strong effect of filter age on especially Mn2+but also NH4+ removal. We show that ageing of filter medium leads to the development of thick coatings, which we hypothesize leads to preferential flow, and breakthrough of Mn2+. Use of age-specific flow rates may increase the contact time with the filter medium in older filters and improve Mn2+ and NH4+ removal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Signe Haukelidsaeter
- Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, P.O Box 80021, Utrecht 3508 TA, the Netherlands.
| | - Alje S Boersma
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Radboud Institute of Biological and Environmental Science, Radboud University, P.O. Box 9010, Nijmegen 6500 GL, the Netherlands
| | - Liam Kirwan
- Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, P.O Box 80021, Utrecht 3508 TA, the Netherlands
| | - Alessia Corbetta
- Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, P.O Box 80021, Utrecht 3508 TA, the Netherlands
| | - Isaac D Gorres
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Radboud Institute of Biological and Environmental Science, Radboud University, P.O. Box 9010, Nijmegen 6500 GL, the Netherlands
| | - Wytze K Lenstra
- Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, P.O Box 80021, Utrecht 3508 TA, the Netherlands
| | | | - Karl Borger
- Vitens N.V., P.O. Box 1205, Zwolle 8001 BE, the Netherlands
| | - Luuk Vos
- KWR Water Research Institute, P.O. Box 1072, Nieuwegein 3430 BB, the Netherlands
| | - Paul W J J van der Wielen
- KWR Water Research Institute, P.O. Box 1072, Nieuwegein 3430 BB, the Netherlands; Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University & Research, Stippeneng 4, Wageningen 6708 WE, the Netherlands
| | - Maartje A H J van Kessel
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Radboud Institute of Biological and Environmental Science, Radboud University, P.O. Box 9010, Nijmegen 6500 GL, the Netherlands
| | - Sebastian Lücker
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Radboud Institute of Biological and Environmental Science, Radboud University, P.O. Box 9010, Nijmegen 6500 GL, the Netherlands
| | - Caroline P Slomp
- Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, P.O Box 80021, Utrecht 3508 TA, the Netherlands; Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Radboud Institute of Biological and Environmental Science, Radboud University, P.O. Box 9010, Nijmegen 6500 GL, the Netherlands
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8
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Papadomanolaki NM, Lenstra WK, Wolthers M, Slomp CP. Enhanced phosphorus recycling during past oceanic anoxia amplified by low rates of apatite authigenesis. Sci Adv 2022; 8:eabn2370. [PMID: 35776794 PMCID: PMC10883373 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abn2370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Enhanced recycling of phosphorus as ocean deoxygenation expanded under past greenhouse climates contributed to widespread organic carbon burial and drawdown of atmospheric CO2. Redox-dependent phosphorus recycling was more efficient in such ancient anoxic marine environments, compared to modern anoxic settings, for reasons that remain unclear. Here, we show that low rates of apatite authigenesis in organic-rich sediments can explain the amplified phosphorus recycling in ancient settings as reflected in highly elevated ratios of organic carbon to total phosphorus. We argue that the low rates may be partly the result of the reduced saturation state of sediment porewaters with respect to apatite linked to ocean warming and acidification and/or a decreased availability of calcium carbonate, which acts as a template for apatite formation. Future changes in temperature and ocean biogeochemistry, induced by elevated atmospheric CO2, may similarly increase phosphorus availability and accelerate ocean deoxygenation and organic carbon burial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina M Papadomanolaki
- Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Wytze K Lenstra
- Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Mariette Wolthers
- Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Caroline P Slomp
- Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
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9
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Papadomanolaki NM, Sluijs A, Slomp CP. Eutrophication and Deoxygenation Forcing of Marginal Marine Organic Carbon Burial During the PETM. Paleoceanogr Paleoclimatol 2022; 37:e2021PA004232. [PMID: 35910591 PMCID: PMC9310739 DOI: 10.1029/2021pa004232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) is recognized globally by a negative excursion in stable carbon isotope ratios (δ13C) in sedimentary records, termed the carbon isotope excursion (CIE). Based on the CIE, the cause, duration, and mechanisms of recovery of the event have been assessed. Here, we focus on the role of increased organic carbon burial on continental margins as a key driver of CO2 drawdown and global exogenic δ13C during the recovery phase. Using new and previously published sediment proxy data, we show evidence for widespread enhanced primary production, low oxygen waters, and high organic carbon (Corg) burial in marginal and restricted environments throughout the δ13C excursion. With a new biogeochemical box model for deep and marginal environments, we show that increased phosphorus availability and water column stratification on continental margins can explain the increased Corg burial during the PETM. Deoxygenation and recycling of phosphorus relative to Corg were relatively mild, compared to modern day anoxic marine systems. Our model reproduces the conditions reconstructed by field data, resulting in a burial of 6,000 Pg across the PETM, in excess of late Paleocene burial, and ∼3,300 Pg C for the critical first 40 kyr of the recovery, primarily located on continental margins. This value is consistent with prior data and model estimates (∼2,000-3,000 Pg C). To reproduce global exogenic δ13C patterns, this Corg burial implies an injection of 5,000-10,000 Pg C during the first ∼100-150 kyr of the PETM, depending on the source's δ13C (-11‰ to -55‰).
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina M. Papadomanolaki
- Department of Earth SciencesFaculty of GeosciencesUtrecht UniversityUtrechtThe Netherlands
| | - Appy Sluijs
- Department of Earth SciencesFaculty of GeosciencesUtrecht UniversityUtrechtThe Netherlands
| | - Caroline P. Slomp
- Department of Earth SciencesFaculty of GeosciencesUtrecht UniversityUtrechtThe Netherlands
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10
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Jilbert T, Gustafsson BG, Veldhuijzen S, Reed DC, van Helmond NAGM, Hermans M, Slomp CP. Iron-Phosphorus Feedbacks Drive Multidecadal Oscillations in Baltic Sea Hypoxia. Geophys Res Lett 2021; 48:e2021GL095908. [PMID: 35860449 PMCID: PMC9285756 DOI: 10.1029/2021gl095908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Hypoxia has occurred intermittently in the Baltic Sea since the establishment of brackish-water conditions at ∼8,000 years B.P., principally as recurrent hypoxic events during the Holocene Thermal Maximum (HTM) and the Medieval Climate Anomaly (MCA). Sedimentary phosphorus release has been implicated as a key driver of these events, but previous paleoenvironmental reconstructions have lacked the sampling resolution to investigate feedbacks in past iron-phosphorus cycling on short timescales. Here we employ Laser Ablation (LA)-ICP-MS scanning of sediment cores to generate ultra-high resolution geochemical records of past hypoxic events. We show that in-phase multidecadal oscillations in hypoxia intensity and iron-phosphorus cycling occurred throughout these events. Using a box model, we demonstrate that such oscillations were likely driven by instabilities in the dynamics of iron-phosphorus cycling under preindustrial phosphorus loads, and modulated by external climate forcing. Oscillatory behavior could complicate the recovery from hypoxia during future trajectories of external loading reductions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Jilbert
- Aquatic Biogeochemistry Research Unit (ABRU)Ecosystems and Environment Research ProgramFaculty of Biological and Environmental SciencesUniversity of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
- Tvärminne Zoological StationUniversity of HelsinkiHankoFinland
- Department of Geosciences and GeographyEnvironmental Geochemistry GroupFaculty of ScienceUniversity of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
- Department of Earth Sciences (Geochemistry)Faculty of GeosciencesUtrecht UniversityUtrechtThe Netherlands
| | - Bo G. Gustafsson
- Tvärminne Zoological StationUniversity of HelsinkiHankoFinland
- Baltic Nest InstituteBaltic Sea CentreStockholm UniversityStockholmSweden
| | - Simon Veldhuijzen
- Department of Earth Sciences (Geochemistry)Faculty of GeosciencesUtrecht UniversityUtrechtThe Netherlands
| | - Daniel C. Reed
- Department of Earth Sciences (Geochemistry)Faculty of GeosciencesUtrecht UniversityUtrechtThe Netherlands
- Fisheries & Oceans CanadaBedford Institute of OceanographyDartmouthNSCanada
| | - Niels A. G. M. van Helmond
- Department of Earth Sciences (Geochemistry)Faculty of GeosciencesUtrecht UniversityUtrechtThe Netherlands
| | - Martijn Hermans
- Aquatic Biogeochemistry Research Unit (ABRU)Ecosystems and Environment Research ProgramFaculty of Biological and Environmental SciencesUniversity of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
- Department of Geosciences and GeographyEnvironmental Geochemistry GroupFaculty of ScienceUniversity of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
- Department of Earth Sciences (Geochemistry)Faculty of GeosciencesUtrecht UniversityUtrechtThe Netherlands
| | - Caroline P. Slomp
- Department of Earth Sciences (Geochemistry)Faculty of GeosciencesUtrecht UniversityUtrechtThe Netherlands
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11
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Dalcin Martins P, de Jong A, Lenstra WK, van Helmond NAGM, Slomp CP, Jetten MSM, Welte CU, Rasigraf O. Enrichment of novel Verrucomicrobia, Bacteroidetes, and Krumholzibacteria in an oxygen-limited methane- and iron-fed bioreactor inoculated with Bothnian Sea sediments. Microbiologyopen 2021; 10:e1175. [PMID: 33650794 PMCID: PMC7914226 DOI: 10.1002/mbo3.1175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Microbial methane oxidation is a major biofilter preventing larger emissions of this powerful greenhouse gas from marine coastal areas into the atmosphere. In these zones, various electron acceptors such as sulfate, metal oxides, nitrate, or oxygen can be used. However, the key microbial players and mechanisms of methane oxidation are poorly understood. In this study, we inoculated a bioreactor with methane‐ and iron‐rich sediments from the Bothnian Sea to investigate microbial methane and iron cycling under low oxygen concentrations. Using metagenomics, we investigated shifts in microbial community composition after approximately 2.5 years of bioreactor operation. Marker genes for methane and iron cycling, as well as respiratory and fermentative metabolism, were identified and used to infer putative microbial metabolism. Metagenome‐assembled genomes representing novel Verrucomicrobia, Bacteroidetes, and Krumholzibacteria were recovered and revealed a potential for methane oxidation, organic matter degradation, and iron cycling, respectively. This work brings new hypotheses on the identity and metabolic versatility of microorganisms that may be members of such functional guilds in coastal marine sediments and highlights that microorganisms potentially composing the methane biofilter in these sediments may be more diverse than previously appreciated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Dalcin Martins
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Soehngen Institute of Anaerobic Microbiology (SIAM), Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Anniek de Jong
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Netherlands Earth System Science Centre (NESSC), Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Wytze K Lenstra
- Netherlands Earth System Science Centre (NESSC), Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Department of Earth Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Niels A G M van Helmond
- Netherlands Earth System Science Centre (NESSC), Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Department of Earth Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Caroline P Slomp
- Netherlands Earth System Science Centre (NESSC), Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Department of Earth Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Mike S M Jetten
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Soehngen Institute of Anaerobic Microbiology (SIAM), Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Netherlands Earth System Science Centre (NESSC), Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Cornelia U Welte
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Soehngen Institute of Anaerobic Microbiology (SIAM), Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Olivia Rasigraf
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Netherlands Earth System Science Centre (NESSC), Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Geomicrobiology, German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), Potsdam, Germany
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12
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Hermans M, Astudillo Pascual M, Behrends T, Lenstra WK, Conley DJ, Slomp CP. Coupled dynamics of iron, manganese, and phosphorus in brackish coastal sediments populated by cable bacteria. Limnol Oceanogr 2021; 66:2611-2631. [PMID: 34413543 PMCID: PMC8360020 DOI: 10.1002/lno.11776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Coastal waters worldwide suffer from increased eutrophication and seasonal bottom water hypoxia. Here, we assess the dynamics of iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and phosphorus (P) in sediments of the eutrophic, brackish Gulf of Finland populated by cable bacteria. At sites where bottom waters are oxic in spring, surface enrichments of Fe and Mn oxides and high abundances of cable bacteria were observed in sediments upon sampling in early summer. At one site, Fe and P were enriched in a thin layer (~ 3 mm) just below the sediment-water interface. X-ray absorption near edge structure and micro X-ray fluorescence analyses indicate that two-thirds of the P in this layer was associated with poorly crystalline Fe oxides, with an additional contribution of Mn(II) phosphates. The Fe enriched layer was directly overlain by a Mn oxide-rich surface layer (~ 2 mm). The Fe oxide layer was likely of diagenetic origin, formed through dissolution of Fe monosulfides and carbonates, potentially induced by cable bacteria in the preceding months when bottom waters were oxic. Most of the Mn oxides were likely deposited from the water column as part of a cycle of repeated deposition and remobilization. Further research is required to confirm whether cable bacteria activity in spring indeed promotes the formation of distinct layers enriched in Fe, Mn, and P minerals in Gulf of Finland sediments. The temporal variations in biogeochemical cycling in this seasonally hypoxic coastal system, potentially controlled by cable bacteria activity, have little impact on permanent sedimentary Fe, Mn, and P burial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martijn Hermans
- Department of Earth Sciences (Geochemistry), Faculty of GeosciencesUtrecht UniversityUtrechtThe Netherlands
| | - Marina Astudillo Pascual
- Department of Earth Sciences (Geochemistry), Faculty of GeosciencesUtrecht UniversityUtrechtThe Netherlands
- Department of Biology and GeologyUniversity of AlmeríaAlmeríaSpain
| | - Thilo Behrends
- Department of Earth Sciences (Geochemistry), Faculty of GeosciencesUtrecht UniversityUtrechtThe Netherlands
| | - Wytze K. Lenstra
- Department of Earth Sciences (Geochemistry), Faculty of GeosciencesUtrecht UniversityUtrechtThe Netherlands
| | - Daniel J. Conley
- Department of Geology, Faculty of ScienceLund UniversityLundSweden
| | - Caroline P. Slomp
- Department of Earth Sciences (Geochemistry), Faculty of GeosciencesUtrecht UniversityUtrechtThe Netherlands
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13
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Wallenius AJ, Dalcin Martins P, Slomp CP, Jetten MSM. Anthropogenic and Environmental Constraints on the Microbial Methane Cycle in Coastal Sediments. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:631621. [PMID: 33679659 PMCID: PMC7935538 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.631621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Large amounts of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, are produced in anoxic sediments by methanogenic archaea. Nonetheless, over 90% of the produced methane is oxidized via sulfate-dependent anaerobic oxidation of methane (S-AOM) in the sulfate-methane transition zone (SMTZ) by consortia of anaerobic methane-oxidizing archaea (ANME) and sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB). Coastal systems account for the majority of total marine methane emissions and typically have lower sulfate concentrations, hence S-AOM is less significant. However, alternative electron acceptors such as metal oxides or nitrate could be used for AOM instead of sulfate. The availability of electron acceptors is determined by the redox zonation in the sediment, which may vary due to changes in oxygen availability and the type and rate of organic matter inputs. Additionally, eutrophication and climate change can affect the microbiome, biogeochemical zonation, and methane cycling in coastal sediments. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the processes and microorganisms involved in methane cycling in coastal sediments and the factors influencing methane emissions from these systems. In eutrophic coastal areas, organic matter inputs are a key driver of bottom water hypoxia. Global warming can reduce the solubility of oxygen in surface waters, enhancing water column stratification, increasing primary production, and favoring methanogenesis. ANME are notoriously slow growers and may not be able to effectively oxidize methane upon rapid sedimentation and shoaling of the SMTZ. In such settings, ANME-2d (Methanoperedenaceae) and ANME-2a may couple iron- and/or manganese reduction to AOM, while ANME-2d and NC10 bacteria (Methylomirabilota) could couple AOM to nitrate or nitrite reduction. Ultimately, methane may be oxidized by aerobic methanotrophs in the upper millimeters of the sediment or in the water column. The role of these processes in mitigating methane emissions from eutrophic coastal sediments, including the exact pathways and microorganisms involved, are still underexplored, and factors controlling these processes are unclear. Further studies are needed in order to understand the factors driving methane-cycling pathways and to identify the responsible microorganisms. Integration of the knowledge on microbial pathways and geochemical processes is expected to lead to more accurate predictions of methane emissions from coastal zones in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna J. Wallenius
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Paula Dalcin Martins
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Caroline P. Slomp
- Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Mike S. M. Jetten
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, Netherlands
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14
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van Helmond NAGM, Lougheed BC, Vollebregt A, Peterse F, Fontorbe G, Conley DJ, Slomp CP. Recovery from multi-millennial natural coastal hypoxia in the Stockholm Archipelago, Baltic Sea, terminated by modern human activity. Limnol Oceanogr 2020; 65:3085-3097. [PMID: 33362297 PMCID: PMC7754161 DOI: 10.1002/lno.11575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Revised: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Enhanced nutrient input and warming have led to the development of low oxygen (hypoxia) in coastal waters globally. For many coastal areas, insight into redox conditions prior to human impact is lacking. Here, we reconstructed bottom water redox conditions and sea surface temperatures (SSTs) for the coastal Stockholm Archipelago over the past 3000 yr. Elevated sedimentary concentrations of molybdenum indicate (seasonal) hypoxia between 1000 b.c.e. and 1500 c.e. Biomarker-based (TEX86) SST reconstructions indicate that the recovery from hypoxia after 1500 c.e. coincided with a period of significant cooling (∼ 2°C), while human activity in the study area, deduced from trends in sedimentary lead and existing paleobotanical and archeological records, had significantly increased. A strong increase in sedimentary lead and zinc, related to more intense human activity in the 18th and 19th century, and the onset of modern warming precede the return of hypoxia in the Stockholm Archipelago. We conclude that climatic cooling played an important role in the recovery from natural hypoxia after 1500 c.e., but that eutrophication and warming, related to modern human activity, led to the return of hypoxia in the 20th century. Our findings imply that ongoing global warming may exacerbate hypoxia in the coastal zone of the Baltic Sea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niels A. G. M. van Helmond
- Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of GeosciencesUtrecht UniversityUtrechtThe Netherlands
- Department of GeologyLund UniversityLundSweden
| | - Bryan C. Lougheed
- Department of Earth SciencesUppsala UniversityUppsalaSweden
- Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l'EnvironnementLSCE/IPSL, CEA CNRS‐UVSQ, Université Paris‐SaclayGif‐sur‐YvetteFrance
| | - Annika Vollebregt
- Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of GeosciencesUtrecht UniversityUtrechtThe Netherlands
| | - Francien Peterse
- Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of GeosciencesUtrecht UniversityUtrechtThe Netherlands
| | | | | | - Caroline P. Slomp
- Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of GeosciencesUtrecht UniversityUtrechtThe Netherlands
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15
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Hermans M, Lenstra WK, Hidalgo-Martinez S, van Helmond NAGM, Witbaard R, Meysman FJ, Gonzalez S, Slomp CP. Abundance and Biogeochemical Impact of Cable Bacteria in Baltic Sea Sediments. Environ Sci Technol 2019; 53:7494-7503. [PMID: 31149818 PMCID: PMC6611076 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b01665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2019] [Revised: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Oxygen depletion in coastal waters may lead to release of toxic sulfide from sediments. Cable bacteria can limit sulfide release by promoting iron oxide formation in sediments. Currently, it is unknown how widespread this phenomenon is. Here, we assess the abundance, activity, and biogeochemical impact of cable bacteria at 12 Baltic Sea sites. Cable bacteria were mostly absent in sediments overlain by anoxic and sulfidic bottom waters, emphasizing their dependence on oxygen or nitrate as electron acceptors. At sites that were temporarily reoxygenated, cable bacterial densities were low. At seasonally hypoxic sites, cable bacterial densities correlated linearly with the supply of sulfide. The highest densities were observed at Gulf of Finland sites with high rates of sulfate reduction. Microelectrode profiles of sulfide, oxygen, and pH indicated low or no in situ cable bacteria activity at all sites. Reactivation occurred within 5 days upon incubation of an intact sediment core from the Gulf of Finland with aerated overlying water. We found no relationship between cable bacterial densities and macrofaunal abundances, salinity, or sediment organic carbon. Our geochemical data suggest that cable bacteria promote conversion of iron monosulfides to iron oxides in the Gulf of Finland in spring, possibly explaining why bottom waters in this highly eutrophic region rarely contain sulfide in summer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martijn Hermans
- Department
of Earth Sciences—Geochemistry, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, 3508 TC Utrecht, The Netherlands
- E-mail:
| | - Wytze K. Lenstra
- Department
of Earth Sciences—Geochemistry, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, 3508 TC Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Niels A. G. M. van Helmond
- Department
of Earth Sciences—Geochemistry, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, 3508 TC Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Rob Witbaard
- Department
of Estuarine and Delta Systems, NIOZ, Royal
Netherlands Institute for Sea Research and Utrecht University, 4400 AC Yerseke, The Netherlands
| | - Filip J.R. Meysman
- Department
of Biology, University of Antwerp, 2020 Wilrijk, Belgium
- Department
of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, 2628 CN Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Santiago Gonzalez
- Department
of Microbiology and Biogeochemistry, NIOZ,
Royal Netherlands Institute of Sea Research and Utrecht University, 1790 AB Den Burg, Texel, The Netherlands
| | - Caroline P. Slomp
- Department
of Earth Sciences—Geochemistry, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, 3508 TC Utrecht, The Netherlands
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16
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in ‘t Zandt MH, de Jong AEE, Slomp CP, Jetten MSM. The hunt for the most-wanted chemolithoautotrophic spookmicrobes. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2018; 94:4966976. [PMID: 29873717 PMCID: PMC5989612 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiy064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2018] [Accepted: 04/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Microorganisms are the drivers of biogeochemical methane and nitrogen cycles. Essential roles of chemolithoautotrophic microorganisms in these cycles were predicted long before their identification. Dedicated enrichment procedures, metagenomics surveys and single-cell technologies have enabled the identification of several new groups of most-wanted spookmicrobes, including novel methoxydotrophic methanogens that produce methane from methylated coal compounds and acetoclastic 'Candidatus Methanothrix paradoxum', which is active in oxic soils. The resultant energy-rich methane can be oxidized via a suite of electron acceptors. Recently, 'Candidatus Methanoperedens nitroreducens' ANME-2d archaea and 'Candidatus Methylomirabilis oxyfera' bacteria were enriched on nitrate and nitrite under anoxic conditions with methane as an electron donor. Although 'Candidatus Methanoperedens nitroreducens' and other ANME archaea can use iron citrate as an electron acceptor in batch experiments, the quest for anaerobic methane oxidizers that grow via iron reduction continues. In recent years, the nitrogen cycle has been expanded by the discovery of various ammonium-oxidizing prokaryotes, including ammonium-oxidizing archaea, versatile anaerobic ammonium-oxidizing (anammox) bacteria and complete ammonium-oxidizing (comammox) Nitrospira bacteria. Several biogeochemical studies have indicated that ammonium conversion occurs under iron-reducing conditions, but thus far no microorganism has been identified. Ultimately, iron-reducing and sulfate-dependent ammonium-oxidizing microorganisms await discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michiel H in ‘t Zandt
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Netherlands Earth System Science Center, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 2, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Anniek EE de Jong
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Netherlands Earth System Science Center, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 2, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Caroline P Slomp
- Netherlands Earth System Science Center, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 2, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Earth Sciences, Geochemistry, Utrecht University, Princetonlaan 8a, 3584 CB Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Mike SM Jetten
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Netherlands Earth System Science Center, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 2, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Soehngen Institute of Anaerobic Microbiology, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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17
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Bhattarai S, Cassarini C, Gonzalez-Gil G, Egger M, Slomp CP, Zhang Y, Esposito G, Lens PNL. Anaerobic Methane-Oxidizing Microbial Community in a Coastal Marine Sediment: Anaerobic Methanotrophy Dominated by ANME-3. Microb Ecol 2017; 74:608-622. [PMID: 28389729 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-017-0978-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2016] [Accepted: 03/28/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The microbial community inhabiting the shallow sulfate-methane transition zone in coastal sediments from marine Lake Grevelingen (The Netherlands) was characterized, and the ability of the microorganisms to carry out anaerobic oxidation of methane coupled to sulfate reduction was assessed in activity tests. In vitro activity tests of the sediment with methane and sulfate demonstrated sulfide production coupled to the simultaneous consumption of sulfate and methane at approximately equimolar ratios over a period of 150 days. The maximum sulfate reduction rate was 5 μmol sulfate per gram dry weight per day during the incubation period. Diverse archaeal and bacterial clades were retrieved from the sediment with the majority of them clustered with Euryarchaeota, Thaumarcheota, Bacteroidetes, and Proteobacteria. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that the sediment from marine Lake Grevelingen contained anaerobic methanotrophic Archaea (ANME) and methanogens as archaeal clades with a role in the methane cycling. ANME at the studied site mainly belong to the ANME-3 clade. This study provides one of the few reports for the presence of ANME-3 in a shallow coastal sediment. Sulfate-reducing bacteria from Desulfobulbus clades were found among the sulfate reducers, however, with very low relative abundance. Desulfobulbus has previously been commonly found associated with ANME, whereas in our study, ANME-3 and Desulfobulbus were not observed simultaneously in clusters, suggesting the possibility of independent AOM by ANME-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susma Bhattarai
- UNESCO-IHE, Westvest-7, P.O. Box 3015, Delft, 2601, DA, The Netherlands.
| | - Chiara Cassarini
- UNESCO-IHE, Westvest-7, P.O. Box 3015, Delft, 2601, DA, The Netherlands
| | | | - Matthias Egger
- Department of Earth Sciences - Geochemistry, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80021, 3508 TA, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Center for Geomicrobiology, Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 114, 8000, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Caroline P Slomp
- Department of Earth Sciences - Geochemistry, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80021, 3508 TA, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Yu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Ocean Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Dongchuan Rd. 800, Shanghai, 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Giovanni Esposito
- Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, via Di Biasio 43, 03043, Cassino, FR, Italy
| | - Piet N L Lens
- UNESCO-IHE, Westvest-7, P.O. Box 3015, Delft, 2601, DA, The Netherlands
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18
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Egger M, Lenstra W, Jong D, Meysman FJR, Sapart CJ, van der Veen C, Röckmann T, Gonzalez S, Slomp CP. Rapid Sediment Accumulation Results in High Methane Effluxes from Coastal Sediments. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0161609. [PMID: 27560511 PMCID: PMC4999275 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0161609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2016] [Accepted: 08/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Globally, the methane (CH4) efflux from the ocean to the atmosphere is small, despite high rates of CH4 production in continental shelf and slope environments. This low efflux results from the biological removal of CH4 through anaerobic oxidation with sulfate in marine sediments. In some settings, however, pore water CH4 is found throughout the sulfate-bearing zone, indicating an apparently inefficient oxidation barrier for CH4. Here we demonstrate that rapid sediment accumulation can explain this limited capacity for CH4 removal in coastal sediments. In a saline coastal reservoir (Lake Grevelingen, The Netherlands), we observed high diffusive CH4 effluxes from the sediment into the overlying water column (0.2-0.8 mol m-2 yr-1) during multiple years. Linear pore water CH4 profiles and the absence of an isotopic enrichment commonly associated with CH4 oxidation in a zone with high rates of sulfate reduction (50-170 nmol cm-3 d-1) both suggest that CH4 is bypassing the zone of sulfate reduction. We propose that the rapid sediment accumulation at this site (~ 13 cm yr-1) reduces the residence time of the CH4 oxidizing microorganisms in the sulfate/methane transition zone (< 5 years), thus making it difficult for these slow growing methanotrophic communities to build-up sufficient biomass to efficiently remove pore water CH4. In addition, our results indicate that the high input of organic matter (~ 91 mol C m-2 yr-1) allows for the co-occurrence of different dissimilatory respiration processes, such as (acetotrophic) methanogenesis and sulfate reduction in the surface sediments by providing abundant substrate. We conclude that anthropogenic eutrophication and rapid sediment accumulation likely increase the release of CH4 from coastal sediments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Egger
- Department of Earth Sciences–Geochemistry, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Wytze Lenstra
- Department of Earth Sciences–Geochemistry, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Dirk Jong
- Department of Earth Sciences–Geochemistry, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Filip J. R. Meysman
- Department of Estuarine and Deltaic Studies, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Yerseke, The Netherlands
- Department of Analytical, Environmental, and Geochemistry, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Célia J. Sapart
- Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Laboratoire de Glaciologie, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Carina van der Veen
- Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Thomas Röckmann
- Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Santiago Gonzalez
- Department of Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ), Texel, The Netherlands
| | - Caroline P. Slomp
- Department of Earth Sciences–Geochemistry, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Sulu-Gambari F, Seitaj D, Meysman FJR, Schauer R, Polerecky L, Slomp CP. Cable Bacteria Control Iron-Phosphorus Dynamics in Sediments of a Coastal Hypoxic Basin. Environ Sci Technol 2016; 50:1227-1233. [PMID: 26720721 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.5b04369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Phosphorus is an essential nutrient for life. The release of phosphorus from sediments is critical in sustaining phytoplankton growth in many aquatic systems and is pivotal to eutrophication and the development of bottom water hypoxia. Conventionally, sediment phosphorus release is thought to be controlled by changes in iron oxide reduction driven by variations in external environmental factors, such as organic matter input and bottom water oxygen. Here, we show that internal shifts in microbial communities, and specifically the population dynamics of cable bacteria, can also induce strong seasonality in sedimentary iron-phosphorus dynamics. Field observations in a seasonally hypoxic coastal basin demonstrate that the long-range electrogenic metabolism of cable bacteria leads to a dissolution of iron sulfides in winter and spring. Subsequent oxidation of the mobilized ferrous iron with manganese oxides results in a large stock of iron-oxide-bound phosphorus below the oxic zone. In summer, when bottom water hypoxia develops and cable bacteria are undetectable, the phosphorus associated with these iron oxides is released, strongly increasing phosphorus availability in the water column. Future research should elucidate whether formation of iron-oxide-bound phosphorus driven by cable bacteria, as observed in this study, contributes to the seasonality in iron-phosphorus cycling in aquatic sediments worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatimah Sulu-Gambari
- Department of Earth Sciences, Geochemistry, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University , Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Dorina Seitaj
- Department of Ecosystem Studies, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research , Yerseke, The Netherlands
| | - Filip J R Meysman
- Department of Ecosystem Studies, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research , Yerseke, The Netherlands
| | - Regina Schauer
- Center for Geomicrobiology and Section for Microbiology, Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University , Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Lubos Polerecky
- Department of Earth Sciences, Geochemistry, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University , Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Caroline P Slomp
- Department of Earth Sciences, Geochemistry, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University , Utrecht, The Netherlands
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20
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Steenbergh AK, Bodelier PLE, Hoogveld HL, Slomp CP, Laanbroek HJ. Phylogenetic Characterization of Phosphatase-Expressing Bacterial Communities in Baltic Sea Sediments. Microbes Environ 2015; 30:192-5. [PMID: 25817584 PMCID: PMC4462931 DOI: 10.1264/jsme2.me14074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Phosphate release from sediments hampers the remediation of aquatic systems from a eutrophic state. Microbial phosphatases in sediments release phosphorus during organic matter degradation. Despite the important role of phosphatase-expressing bacteria, the identity of these bacteria in sediments is largely unknown. We herein presented a culture-independent method to phylogenetically characterize phosphatase-expressing bacteria in sediments. We labeled whole-cell extracts of Baltic Sea sediments with an artificial phosphatase substrate and sorted phosphatase-expressing cells with a flow cytometer. Their phylogenetic affiliation was determined by Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis. The phosphatase-expressing bacterial community coarsely reflected the whole-cell bacterial community, with a similar dominance of Alphaproteobacteria.
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21
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Egger M, Rasigraf O, Sapart CJ, Jilbert T, Jetten MSM, Röckmann T, van der Veen C, Bândă N, Kartal B, Ettwig KF, Slomp CP. Iron-mediated anaerobic oxidation of methane in brackish coastal sediments. Environ Sci Technol 2015; 49:277-283. [PMID: 25412274 DOI: 10.1021/es503663z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas and its biological conversion in marine sediments, largely controlled by anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM), is a crucial part of the global carbon cycle. However, little is known about the role of iron oxides as an oxidant for AOM. Here we provide the first field evidence for iron-dependent AOM in brackish coastal surface sediments and show that methane produced in Bothnian Sea sediments is oxidized in distinct zones of iron- and sulfate-dependent AOM. At our study site, anthropogenic eutrophication over recent decades has led to an upward migration of the sulfate/methane transition zone in the sediment. Abundant iron oxides and high dissolved ferrous iron indicate iron reduction in the methanogenic sediments below the newly established sulfate/methane transition. Laboratory incubation studies of these sediments strongly suggest that the in situ microbial community is capable of linking methane oxidation to iron oxide reduction. Eutrophication of coastal environments may therefore create geochemical conditions favorable for iron-mediated AOM and thus increase the relevance of iron-dependent methane oxidation in the future. Besides its role in mitigating methane emissions, iron-dependent AOM strongly impacts sedimentary iron cycling and related biogeochemical processes through the reduction of large quantities of iron oxides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Egger
- Department of Earth Sciences - Geochemistry, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University , Budapestlaan 4, 3584 CD Utrecht, The Netherlands
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22
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Dijkstra N, Kraal P, Kuypers MMM, Schnetger B, Slomp CP. Are iron-phosphate minerals a sink for phosphorus in anoxic Black Sea sediments? PLoS One 2014; 9:e101139. [PMID: 24988389 PMCID: PMC4079231 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0101139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2014] [Accepted: 06/03/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Phosphorus (P) is a key nutrient for marine organisms. The only long-term removal pathway for P in the marine realm is burial in sediments. Iron (Fe) bound P accounts for a significant proportion of this burial at the global scale. In sediments underlying anoxic bottom waters, burial of Fe-bound P is generally assumed to be negligible because of reductive dissolution of Fe(III) (oxyhydr)oxides and release of the associated P. However, recent work suggests that Fe-bound P is an important burial phase in euxinic (i.e. anoxic and sulfidic) basin sediments in the Baltic Sea. In this study, we investigate the role of Fe-bound P as a potential sink for P in Black Sea sediments overlain by oxic and euxinic bottom waters. Sequential P extractions performed on sediments from six multicores along two shelf-to-basin transects provide evidence for the burial of Fe-bound P at all sites, including those in the euxinic deep basin. In the latter sediments, Fe-bound P accounts for more than 20% of the total sedimentary P pool. We suggest that this P is present in the form of reduced Fe-P minerals. We hypothesize that these minerals may be formed as inclusions in sulfur-disproportionating Deltaproteobacteria. Further research is required to elucidate the exact mineral form and formation mechanism of this P burial phase, as well as its role as a sink for P in sulfide-rich marine sediments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikki Dijkstra
- Department of Earth Sciences - Geochemistry, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Peter Kraal
- Department of Earth Sciences - Geochemistry, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marcel M. M. Kuypers
- Department of Biogeochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Bremen, Germany
| | - Bernhard Schnetger
- Microbiogeochemistry, Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM), University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Caroline P. Slomp
- Department of Earth Sciences - Geochemistry, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Abstract
The chemical forms of phosphorus (P) in sediments are routinely measured in studies of P in modern and ancient marine environments. However, samples for such analyses are often exposed to atmospheric oxygen during storage and handling. Recent work suggests that long-term exposure of pyrite-bearing sediments can lead to a decline in apatite P and an increase in ferric Fe-bound P. Here, we report on alterations in P speciation in reducing modern Baltic Sea sediments that we deliberately exposed to atmospheric oxygen for a period of either one week or one year. During oxidation of the sediment, extensive changes occurred in all measured P reservoirs. Exchangeable P all but disappeared during the first week of exposure, likely reflecting adsorption of porewater PO4 by Fe(III) (oxyhydr)oxides (i.e. ferric Fe-bound P formation). Detrital and organic P were also rapidly affected: decreases in both reservoirs were already observed after the first week of exposure to atmospheric oxygen. This was likely because of acidic dissolution of detrital apatite and oxidation of organic matter, respectively. These processes produced dissolved PO4 that was then scavenged by Fe(III) (oxyhydr)oxides. Interestingly, P in authigenic calcium phosphates (i.e. apatite: authigenic Ca-P) remained unaffected after the first week of exposure, which we attributed to the shielding effect of microfossils in which authigenic Ca-P occurs in Baltic Sea sediments. This effect was transient; a marked decrease in the authigenic Ca-P pool was observed in the sediments after one year of exposure to oxygen. In summary, we show that handling and storage of wet sediments under oxic conditions can lead to rapid and extensive alteration of the original sediment P speciation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Kraal
- Department of Earth Sciences – Geochemistry, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- * E-mail:
| | - Caroline P. Slomp
- Department of Earth Sciences – Geochemistry, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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24
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Steenbergh AK, Bodelier PLE, Slomp CP, Laanbroek HJ. Effect of redox conditions on bacterial community structure in Baltic Sea sediments with contrasting phosphorus fluxes. PLoS One 2014; 9:e92401. [PMID: 24667801 PMCID: PMC3965429 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0092401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2013] [Accepted: 02/22/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Phosphorus release from sediments can exacerbate the effect of eutrophication in coastal marine ecosystems. The flux of phosphorus from marine sediments to the overlying water is highly dependent on the redox conditions at the sediment-water interface. Bacteria are key players in the biological processes that release or retain phosphorus in marine sediments. To gain more insight in the role of bacteria in phosphorus release from sediments, we assessed the effect of redox conditions on the structure of bacterial communities. To do so, we incubated surface sediments from four sampling sites in the Baltic Sea under oxic and anoxic conditions and analyzed the fingerprints of the bacterial community structures in these incubations and the original sediments. This paper describes the effects of redox conditions, sampling station, and sample type (DNA, RNA, or whole-cell sample) on bacterial community structure in sediments. Redox conditions explained only 5% of the variance in community structure, and bacterial communities from contrasting redox conditions showed considerable overlap. We conclude that benthic bacterial communities cannot be classified as being typical for oxic or anoxic conditions based on community structure fingerprints. Our results suggest that the overall structure of the benthic bacterial community has only a limited impact on benthic phosphate fluxes in the Baltic Sea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne K. Steenbergh
- Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Caroline P. Slomp
- Department of Earth Sciences (Geochemistry), Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Hendrikus J. Laanbroek
- Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Institute of Environmental Biology, Science Faculty, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Carstensen J, Conley DJ, Bonsdorff E, Gustafsson BG, Hietanen S, Janas U, Jilbert T, Maximov A, Norkko A, Norkko J, Reed DC, Slomp CP, Timmermann K, Voss M. Hypoxia in the Baltic Sea: biogeochemical cycles, benthic fauna, and management. Ambio 2014; 43:26-36. [PMID: 24414802 PMCID: PMC3888664 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-013-0474-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Hypoxia has occurred intermittently over the Holocene in the Baltic Sea, but the recent expansion from less than 10 000 km(2) before 1950 to >60 000 km(2) since 2000 is mainly caused by enhanced nutrient inputs from land and atmosphere. With worsening hypoxia, the role of sediments changes from nitrogen removal to nitrogen release as ammonium. At present, denitrification in the water column and sediments is equally important. Phosphorus is currently buried in sediments mainly in organic form, with an additional contribution of reduced Fe-phosphate minerals in the deep anoxic basins. Upon the transition to oxic conditions, a significant proportion of the organic phosphorus will be remineralized, with the phosphorus then being bound to iron oxides. This iron-oxide bound phosphorus is readily released to the water column upon the onset of hypoxia again. Important ecosystems services carried out by the benthic fauna, including biogeochemical feedback-loops and biomass production, are also lost with hypoxia. The results provide quantitative knowledge of nutrient release and recycling processes under various environmental conditions in support of decision support tools underlying the Baltic Sea Action Plan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Carstensen
- Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Daniel J. Conley
- GeoBiosphere Science Centre, Department of Geology, Lund University, Sölvegatan 12, 223 62 Lund, Sweden
| | - Erik Bonsdorff
- Department of Biosciences, Environmental and Marine Biology, Åbo Akademi University, 20500 Turku, Finland
| | - Bo G. Gustafsson
- Baltic Nest Institute, Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Susanna Hietanen
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Aquatic Sciences, University of Helsinki, PO BOX 65, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Urzsula Janas
- Institute of Oceanography, University of Gdansk, al. Marszałka J. Piłsudskiego 46, 81-378 Gdynia, Poland
| | - Tom Jilbert
- Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, Budapestlaan 4, 3584 CD Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Alexey Maximov
- Zoological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Universitetskaya nab. 1, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Alf Norkko
- Tvärminne Zoological Station, University of Helsinki, J.A. Palméns väg 2600, 10900 Hanko, Finland
| | - Joanna Norkko
- Tvärminne Zoological Station, University of Helsinki, J.A. Palméns väg 2600, 10900 Hanko, Finland
| | - Daniel C. Reed
- Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, Budapestlaan 4, 3584 CD Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Caroline P. Slomp
- Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, Budapestlaan 4, 3584 CD Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Karen Timmermann
- Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Maren Voss
- Leibniz-Institute of Baltic Sea Research, IOW, Seestr. 15, 18119 Rostock, Germany
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Zhang YC, Prommer H, Broers HP, Slomp CP, Greskowiak J, van der Grift B, Van Cappellen P. Model-based integration and analysis of biogeochemical and isotopic dynamics in a nitrate-polluted pyritic aquifer. Environ Sci Technol 2013; 47:10415-10422. [PMID: 23931144 DOI: 10.1021/es4023909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Leaching of nitrate from agricultural land to groundwater and the resulting nitrate pollution are a major environmental problem worldwide. Its impact is often mitigated in aquifers hosting sufficiently reactive reductants that can promote autotrophic denitrification. In the case of pyrite acting as reductant, however, denitrification is associated with the release of sulfate and often also with the mobilization of trace metals (e.g., arsenic). In this study, reactive transport modeling was used to reconstruct, quantify and analyze the dynamics of the dominant biogeochemical processes in a nitrate-polluted pyrite-containing aquifer and its evolution over the last 50 years in response to changing agricultural practices. Model simulations were constrained by measured concentration depth profiles. Measured (3)H/(3)He profiles were used to support the calibration of flow and conservative transport processes, while the comparison of simulated and measured sulfur isotope signatures acted as additional calibration constraint for the reactive processes affecting sulfur cycling. The model illustrates that denitrification largely prevented an elevated discharge of nitrate to surface waters, while sulfate discharges were significantly increased, peaking around 15 years after the maximum nitrogen inputs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Chun Zhang
- Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University , 3584 CB Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Bouwman AF, Beusen AHW, Griffioen J, Van Groenigen JW, Hefting MM, Oenema O, Van Puijenbroek PJTM, Seitzinger S, Slomp CP, Stehfest E. Global trends and uncertainties in terrestrial denitrification and N₂O emissions. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2013; 368:20130112. [PMID: 23713114 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2013.0112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 175] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Soil nitrogen (N) budgets are used in a global, distributed flow-path model with 0.5° × 0.5° resolution, representing denitrification and N2O emissions from soils, groundwater and riparian zones for the period 1900-2000 and scenarios for the period 2000-2050 based on the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. Total agricultural and natural N inputs from N fertilizers, animal manure, biological N2 fixation and atmospheric N deposition increased from 155 to 345 Tg N yr(-1) (Tg = teragram; 1 Tg = 10(12) g) between 1900 and 2000. Depending on the scenario, inputs are estimated to further increase to 408-510 Tg N yr(-1) by 2050. In the period 1900-2000, the soil N budget surplus (inputs minus withdrawal by plants) increased from 118 to 202 Tg yr(-1), and this may remain stable or further increase to 275 Tg yr(-1) by 2050, depending on the scenario. N2 production from denitrification increased from 52 to 96 Tg yr(-1) between 1900 and 2000, and N2O-N emissions from 10 to 12 Tg N yr(-1). The scenarios foresee a further increase to 142 Tg N2-N and 16 Tg N2O-N yr(-1) by 2050. Our results indicate that riparian buffer zones are an important source of N2O contributing an estimated 0.9 Tg N2O-N yr(-1) in 2000. Soils are key sites for denitrification and are much more important than groundwater and riparian zones in controlling the N flow to rivers and the oceans.
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Affiliation(s)
- A F Bouwman
- PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency, PO Box 303, 3720 AH Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
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Steenbergh AK, Bodelier PLE, Heldal M, Slomp CP, Laanbroek HJ. Does microbial stoichiometry modulate eutrophication of aquatic ecosystems? Environ Microbiol 2012; 15:1572-9. [PMID: 23227825 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.12042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2012] [Revised: 10/31/2012] [Accepted: 11/01/2012] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The stoichiometry of prokaryotes (Bacteria and Archaea) can control benthic phosphorus (P) fluxes relative to carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) during organic matter remineralization. This paper presents the first experimental data on benthic microbial stoichiometry. We used X-ray microanalysis to determine C : N : P ratios of individual prokaryotes from C-limited Baltic Sea sediments incubated under oxic or anoxic conditions. At approximately 400:1, C : P ratios of prokaryotes from both oxic and anoxic incubations were higher than the Redfield ratio for marine organic matter (106:1), whereas prokaryotic C : N ratios (6.4:1) were close to the Redfield ratio. We conclude that high microbial C : P ratios contribute to the enhanced remineralization of P from organic matter relative to C and N observed in many low oxygen marine settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- A K Steenbergh
- Department of Microbial Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), P.O. Box 50, 6700 AB, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
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Lohse L, Malschaert JFP, Slomp CP, Helder W, van Raaphorst W. Sediment-water fluxes of inorganic nitrogen compounds along the transport route of organic matter in the North Sea. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012. [DOI: 10.1080/00785236.1995.10422043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Conley DJ, Björck S, Bonsdorff E, Carstensen J, Destouni G, Gustafsson BG, Hietanen S, Kortekaas M, Kuosa H, Meier HEM, Müller-Karulis B, Nordberg K, Norkko A, Nürnberg G, Pitkänen H, Rabalais NN, Rosenberg R, Savchuk OP, Slomp CP, Voss M, Wulff F, Zillén L. Hypoxia-related processes in the Baltic Sea. Environ Sci Technol 2009; 43:3412-20. [PMID: 19544833 DOI: 10.1021/es802762a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 145] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Hypoxia, a growing worldwide problem, has been intermittently present in the modern Baltic Sea since its formation ca. 8000 cal. yr BP. However, both the spatial extent and intensity of hypoxia have increased with anthropogenic eutrophication due to nutrient inputs. Physical processes, which control stratification and the renewal of oxygen in bottom waters, are important constraints on the formation and maintenance of hypoxia. Climate controlled inflows of saline water from the North Sea through the Danish Straits is a critical controlling factor governing the spatial extent and duration of hypoxia. Hypoxia regulates the biogeochemical cycles of both phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) in the water column and sediments. Significant amounts of P are currently released from sediments, an order of magnitude larger than anthropogenic inputs. The Baltic Sea is unique for coastal marine ecosystems experiencing N losses in hypoxic waters below the halocline. Although benthic communities in the Baltic Sea are naturally constrained by salinity gradients, hypoxia has resulted in habitat loss over vast areas and the elimination of benthic fauna, and has severely disrupted benthic food webs. Nutrient load reductions are needed to reduce the extent, severity, and effects of hypoxia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Conley
- GeoBiosphere Science Centre, Lund University, SE-223 62 Lund, Sweden.
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Canavan RW, Van Cappellen P, Zwolsman JJG, van den Berg GA, Slomp CP. Geochemistry of trace metals in a fresh water sediment: field results and diagenetic modeling. Sci Total Environ 2007; 381:263-79. [PMID: 17482239 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2007.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2006] [Revised: 02/27/2007] [Accepted: 04/01/2007] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Concentrations of Fe, Mn, Cd, Co, Ni, Pb, and Zn were determined in pore water and sediment of a coastal fresh water lake (Haringvliet Lake, The Netherlands). Elevated sediment trace metal concentrations reflect anthropogenic inputs from the Rhine and Meuse Rivers. Pore water and sediment analyses, together with thermodynamic calculations, indicate a shift in trace metal speciation from oxide-bound to sulfide-bound over the upper 20 cm of the sediment. Concentrations of reducible Fe and Mn decline with increasing depth, but do not reach zero values at 20 cm depth. The reducible phases are relatively more important for the binding of Co, Ni, and Zn than for Pb and Cd. Pore waters exhibit supersaturation with respect to Zn, Pb, Co, and Cd monosulfides, while significant fractions of Ni and Co are bound to pyrite. A multi-component, diagenetic model developed for organic matter degradation was expanded to include Zn and Ni dynamics. Pore water transport of trace metals is primarily diffusive, with a lesser contribution of bioirrigation. Reactions affecting trace metal mobility near the sediment-water interface, especially sulfide oxidation and sorption to newly formed oxides, strongly influence the modeled estimates of the diffusive effluxes to the overlying water. Model results imply less efficient sediment retention of Ni than Zn. Sensitivity analyses show that increased bioturbation and sulfate availability, which are expected upon restoration of estuarine conditions in the lake, should increase the sulfide bound fractions of Zn and Ni in the sediments.
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Affiliation(s)
- R W Canavan
- Utrecht University, Faculty of Geosciences, PO Box 80021, 3508 TA Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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Laverman AM, Canavan RW, Slomp CP, Cappellen PV. Potential nitrate removal in a coastal freshwater sediment (Haringvliet Lake, The Netherlands) and response to salinization. Water Res 2007; 41:3061-8. [PMID: 17544474 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2007.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2006] [Revised: 04/05/2007] [Accepted: 04/06/2007] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Nitrogen transformations and their response to salinization were studied in bottom sediment of a coastal freshwater lake (Haringvliet Lake, The Netherlands). The lake was formed as the result of a river impoundment along the south-western coast of the Netherlands, and is currently targeted for restoration of estuarine conditions. Nitrate porewater profiles indicate complete removal of NO(3)(-) within the upper few millimeters of sediment. Rapid NO(3)(-) consumption is consistent with the high potential rates of nitrate reduction (up to 200 nmol N cm(-3) h(-1)) measured with flow-through reactors (FTRs) on intact sediment slices. Acetylene-block FTR experiments indicate that complete denitrification accounts for approximately half of the nitrate reducing activity. The remaining NO(3)(-) reduction is due to incomplete denitrification and alternative reaction pathways, most likely dissimilatory nitrate reduction to NH(4)(+) (DNRA). Results of FTR experiments further indicate that increasing bottom water salinity may lead to a transient release of NH(4)(+) and dissolved organic carbon from the sediment, and enhance the rates of nitrate reduction and nitrite production. Increased salinity may thus, at least temporarily, increase the efflux of NH(4)(+) from the sediment to the surface water. This work shows that salinity affects the relative importance of denitrification compared to alternative nitrate reduction pathways, limiting the ability of denitrification to remove bioavailable nitrogen from aquatic ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anniet M Laverman
- Department of Earth Sciences-Geochemistry, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80021, 3508 TA Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Spiteri C, Slomp CP, Regnier P, Meile C, Van Cappellen P. Modelling the geochemical fate and transport of wastewater-derived phosphorus in contrasting groundwater systems. J Contam Hydrol 2007; 92:87-108. [PMID: 17292999 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconhyd.2007.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2005] [Revised: 12/27/2006] [Accepted: 01/02/2007] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
A 1D reactive transport model (RTM) is used to obtain a mechanistic understanding of the fate of phosphorus (P) in the saturated zone of two contrasting aquifer systems. We use the field data from two oxic, electron donor-poor, wastewater-impacted, sandy Canadian aquifers, (Cambridge and Muskoka sites) as an example of a calcareous and non-calcareous groundwater system, respectively, to validate our reaction network. After approximately 10 years of wastewater infiltration, P is effectively attenuated within the first 10 m down-gradient of the source mainly through fast sorption onto calcite and Fe oxides. Slow, kinetic sorption contributes further to P removal, while precipitation of phosphate minerals (strengite, hydroxyapatite) is quantitatively unimportant in the saturated zone. Nitrogen (N) dynamics are also considered, but nitrate behaves essentially as a conservative tracer in both systems. The model-predicted advancement of the P plume upon continued wastewater discharge at the calcareous site is in line with field observations. Model results suggest that, upon removal of the wastewater source, the P plume at both sites will persist for at least 20 years, owing to desorption of P from aquifer solids and the slow rate of P mineral precipitation. Sensitivity analyses for the non-calcareous scenario (Muskoka) illustrate the importance of the sorption capacity of the aquifer solids for P in modulating groundwater N:P ratios in oxic groundwater. The model simulations predict the breakthrough of groundwater with high P concentrations and low N:P ratios after 17 years at 20 m from the source for an aquifer with low sorption capacity (<0.02% w/w Fe(OH)(3)). In this type of system, denitrification plays a minor role in lowering the N:P ratios because it is limited by the availability of labile dissolved organic matter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudette Spiteri
- Department of Earth Sciences-Geochemistry, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80021, 3508 TA Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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