Nitrate reduction to ammonium and organic nitrogen in an estuarine sediment

Nitrate reduction to NH₄⁺ and incorporation into organic matter was investigated in sediment-water systems composed of a 2.4-cm layer of estuarine sediment covered by 2 cm of water. Between 15 and 28% of the ¹⁵N-labelled NO₃^? added to the sediment or floodwater of the systems was recovered as NH₄⁺ and organic N. The results indicated that NO₃^? was reduced to NH₄⁺ by a dissimilatory mechanism. A separate experiment examined the influence of redox potential (+300, 0 and ?200 mV) on NO₃^? reduction in sediment suspensions maintained at pH 7.5. Conversion of NO₃^? to NH₄⁺ and organic N increased markedly with decreasing redox potential. The results suggested that although the reaction accounted for 35–42% of the NO₃^? reduced under intensely-reduced conditions (?200 mV), the significance of the reaction in nature was dependent upon NO₃^? movement into zones sufficiently reduced for reduction of NO₃^? to NH₄⁺ instead of denitrification. Under conditions in which NO₃^? moved downward through a sediment-water column into a reduced sediment zone approximately 15% of the NO₃^? was reduced to NH₄⁺ and recycled in the sediment.     

Anthropogenic activities drive the microbial community and its function in urban river sediment

Journal of Soils and Sediments - Understanding the dynamics of the structure and function of the microbial community in sediment across freshwater environments will help to predict how these...     

Ammonium oxidation coupled to dissimilatory reduction of iron under anaerobic conditions in wetland soils

In exploring the dynamics of iron and nitrogen cycling in sediments from riparian forests we have observed a redox reaction that has not been previously described. During incubations of soil slurries under strictly anaerobic conditions, we repeatedly measured an unexpected production of both nitrite () and ferrous iron [Fe(II)]. Using this indirect evidence we hypothesize that, under anaerobic conditions, there is a biological process that uses ferric iron [Fe(III)] as an electron acceptor while oxidizing ammonium () to for energy production. This oxidation under iron reducing anaerobic conditions is thermodynamically feasible and is potentially a critical component of the N cycle in saturated sediments.     

Nitrate reduction and denitrification in flooded soils

It has been well known that the utilization rate of ammonium sulfate fertilizer by lowland rice was as low as 40 percent of the applied ammonium. This low utilization rate was due to nitrogen loss from the paddy field. There are problems as to whether the loss of nitrogen from the flooded soil was caused by the nitrification of ammonium nitrogen and its subsequent denitrification, by the evaporation of ammonium, or by the leaching of ammonium-nitrogen with percolated water. Shioiri and his associatesll clarified that this loss of nitrogen resulted largely from denitrification through nitrate reduction in 1942. After the paddy soil is flooded with water, the oxygen in furrow slice is consumed by aerobic microorganisms, and then the soil becomes reductive. Conversely the oxigen is supplied to the soil through the water from the air, and from various kinds of algae and duckweeds, which produce oxygen through photosynthesis. At the early stage the reduction by oxygen consumption is superior to the oxidation by oxygen supply, the furrow slice is reductive, and is bluish gray in color due to the presence of certain ferrous compounds. After months flooding, the oxygen supply becomes superior to oxygen consumption and the uppermost layer of furrow slice becomes brown in color due to the presence of ferric compounds. This layer corresponds to an “oxidised layer” where microorganisms live aerobically. In this oxidized layer the nitrifying bacteria converts ammonium nitrogen into nitrate nitrogen which is percolated into the reduced layer, and lost through denitrification. A large amount of ammonium sulfate fertilizer is then dressed at the uppermost layer, after flooding, the loss of nitrogen through denitrification is serious.     

Biochar improves sediment microbial fuel cell performance in low conductivity freshwater sediment

Purpose

The low conductivity of sediments for mass and electron transport is the most severe limiting factor in sediment microbial fuel cells (SMFCs), so that sediment ameliorations yielded more remarkable effects than electrode improvements. The objective of this research was to enhance the electricity generation of SMFCs with amendments of biochar to freshwater sediments for conductivity enhancement.

Materials and methods

Laboratory-scale SMFCs were constructed and biochars were produced from coconut shells at different temperatures. Variations in the power output, electrode potential, internal resistance, total organic carbon (TOC) content, and microbial communities were measured.

Results and discussion

Amending with biochar reduced the charge transfer resistances of SMFCs and enriched the Firmicutes (mainly Fusibacter sp.) in the sediment, which improved the SMFC power generation by two- to tenfold and enhanced the TOC removal rate by 1.7- to fourfold relative to those without the amendment.

Conclusions

The results suggested that biochar amendment is a promising strategy to enhance SMFC power production, and the electrical conductivity of biochar should be considered important when interpreting the impact biochar has on the electrical performance of soil or freshwater sediment MFCs.

     

Heavy metal characterization of river sediment in Hanoi,Vietnam

Abstract

Industrial and municipal waste water is directly discharged to rivers in Hanoi, Vietnam. Sediments were collected from different sites of three rivers in the industrialized and densely‐populated area of Hanoi City and examined for total heavy metals and metal fractions using sequential extraction. Concentration of the total heavy metals ranged from the background levels to over the maximum permissible levels to crop growth. Concentrations of cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) ranged from 0.27 to 4.50,78 to 517, 37 to 309, 37 to 174, 43 to 361, and 93 to 4,950 mg kg^‐1, respectively. Total concentration of heavy metals varied from site to site and tended to be higher in the site where manufacturing companies are located. Heavy metals were accumulated in the site and were not moved away to be redistributed in the whole area. Distribution of heavy metals in different chemical forms in the air‐dry state depended on their total concentration. In the low concentration range, Cr, Cu, Ni, and Zn were for the most part concentrated in the residual fraction. When concentration is equal to or above the maximum permissible level to crop growth, Cr, Ni, and Zn were mostly concentrated in the iron‐manganese (Fe‐Mn) oxides fraction and Cu was in the organic fraction. Irrespective of the total concentration, Cd was highly associated with the exchangeable and carbonate fractions, while the sum of the Fe‐Mn oxides and residual fractions accounted for 80 to 96% of total Pb.     

Cr(III) oxidation coupled with Mn(II) bacterial oxidation in the environment

Purpose  

Cr(III) oxidation to Cr(VI) significantly increases Cr mobility and toxicity and thus its environmental risks. Manganese (Mn) oxides may serve as the potential oxidants of Cr(III) in environment. Natural Mn oxides in the environment are believed to be derived from bacterial oxidation. The objective of this study was to examine the Cr(III) oxidation capacity of biogenic Mn oxide and the role of Mn-oxidizing bacteria in Cr(III) oxidation.     

Effect of copper on nitrous oxide reduction in freshwater sediment

The effect of Cu(II) sulfate on N20 reduction was studied in anaerobically incubated freshwater sediment at 15 °C. At Cu concentrations from 100 to 5000 μg g^?1, a concentration-dependent decrease in sediment pH was observed in conjunction with a decrease in N₂0 reduction in Cu²⁺ treated sediment in flask-microcosms analyzed immediately after metal addition. However, if flask-microcosms were amended with Cu²⁺ and then pre-incubated to allow the sediment pH to naturally return to its original pH (7.1), an inhibitory effect was only produced at 5000 μg Cu g^?1 sediment. Copper retention studies showed that up to 96.4% of the added Cu²⁺ (2500 μgg^?1) was retained by sediment.     

Use of fallout Cs in investigations of overbank sediment deposition on river floodplains

River floodplains have been recognised as important sinks for storing suspended sediment and associated contaminants mobilised from the upstream catchment. However, information on contemporary rates of overbank sedimentation is difficult to obtain using conventional methods. Measurements of the ¹³⁷Cs content of floodplain sediments provide an alternative approach to obtaining; estimates of medium-term rates (ca. 40 years) of overbank sediment deposition. The ¹³⁷Cs approach requires only a single site visit and minimum sample preparation. Furthermore, it is capable of providing information on spatial patterns of sediment deposition on floodplains, which is needed to improve our understanding of the processes involved in overbank flow and sediment deposition. This paper reviews the basis for using ¹³⁷Cs measurements in floodplain sedimentation studies and presents improved procedures for interpreting ¹³⁷Cs profiles in floodplain sediments and for obtaining estimates of sedimentation rates from single measurements of the total. ¹³⁷Cs inventories of bulk sediment cores. The results obtained from a case study undertaken on the floodplain of the River Stour, Dorset, UK, are presented.     

Dominant discharges for suspended sediment transport in a highly active Pyrenean river

Purpose

Dominant discharges and associated sediment dynamics of the River Isábena, a 445-km² catchment in the central Pyrenees of Spain that is punctuated by badlands, are analysed.

Materials and methods

Calculations of suspended sediment loads are based on continuous records of discharge and turbidity obtained at the basin outlet for the period 2005–2010.

Results and discussion

Dominant discharges for sediment load (i.e. effective discharge) present a bimodal distribution, with one peak falling in the range of low flows and the other associated to less frequent but higher magnitude floods (i.e. bankfull). The highly suspended sediment availability in the badlands, together with the high connectivity between the badlands and the stream network and the important in-channel fine sediment storage, causes both large and small events to remobilize fines. Baseflows, despite their low competence, generate resuspension and massive sediment loads. Thus, effective discharge (i.e. the discharge which transports most of the sediment) is not solely associated with bankfull (i.e. the discharge that dominates channel form), but to a wider range of discharges. Consequently, this river channel is not specifically adjusted to convey most of the sediment load during high floods, as in many other rivers, but instead large volumes of sediment are transferred downstream at an almost constant rate.

Conclusions

Results suggest that dominant discharge may play a lesser role in terms of (suspended) sediment load in non-supply-limited fluvial systems and/or in rivers that permanently work close to, or at, full transport capacity, as is the case of the Isábena.     

The past and prognosis of mining cessation impact on river sediment pollution

Journal of Soils and Sediments - Remediation of mine sites is often aimed at reduction of river pollution after cessation of mining activity. However, the effects of these works overlap natural...     

Frontiers in the microbial processes of ammonia oxidation in soils and sediments

Purpose

Two recent discoveries in nitrogen (N) cycling processes, i.e., archaeal ammonia oxidizers and anaerobic ammonia (ammonium) oxidation (anammox), have triggered great interest in studying microbial ammonia oxidation processes. The purpose of this review is to highlight recent progress in ammonia oxidation processes in soils and sediments and to propose future research activities in this topic.

Results and discussion

Aerobic ammonia oxidation and anammox processes are linked through the production and consumption of nitrite, respectively, thereby removing the reactive N (NH₄ ⁺, NO₂ ^?, NO₃ ^?) from soil and sediment ecosystems. Ammonia-oxidizing microorganisms are widely distributed in soils and sediments, and increasing evidence suggests that ammonia-oxidizing archaea and bacteria are functionally dominant in the ammonia oxidation of acid soils and other soils, respectively. The widespread occurrence and great variation in the abundance of anammox bacteria indicate their heterogeneous distribution and niche differentiation. Therefore, the worldwide distribution of both microbial groups in nature has stimulated researchers to investigate the physiology and metabolism of related groups, as well as appraising their contribution to N cycling.

Conclusions

We summarized the current progress and provided future perspectives in the microbiology of aerobic and anaerobic ammonia oxidation in soils and sediments. With increasing concern and interest in soil and sediment ammonia oxidation processes, studies in the microbial mechanisms underlying nitrification and anammox, as well as their interactions, are essential for understanding their contribution to the loss of N either through nitrate leaching or N-related gas emissions.     

Efforts to improve coupled in situ chemical oxidation with bioremediation: a review of optimization strategies

Purpose  

In order to provide highly effective yet relatively inexpensive strategies for the remediation of recalcitrant organic contaminants, research has focused on in situ treatment technologies. Recent investigation has shown that coupling two common treatments—in situ chemical oxidation (ISCO) and in situ bioremediation—is not only feasible but in many cases provides more efficient and extensive cleanup of contaminated subsurfaces. However, the combination of aggressive chemical oxidants with delicate microbial activity requires a thorough understanding of the impact of each step on soil geochemistry, biota, and contaminant dynamics. In an attempt to optimize coupled chemical and biological remediation, investigations have focused on elucidating parameters that are necessary to successful treatment. In the case of ISCO, the impacts of chemical oxidant type and quantity on bacterial populations and contaminant biodegradability have been considered. Similarly, biostimulation, that is, the adjustment of redox conditions and amendment with electron donors, acceptors, and nutrients, and bioaugmentation have been used to expedite the regeneration of biodegradation following oxidation. The purpose of this review is to integrate recent results on coupled ISCO and bioremediation with the goal of identifying parameters necessary to an optimized biphasic treatment and areas that require additional focus.     

Rapid microbial stabilization of unconsolidated sediment against wind erosion and dust generation

Purpose  

Mineral dust pollution is a concern for human health due to the reaction of mineral particles in the organism and their role as pathogen carriers. Human activity generates unconsolidated sediments that become a dust source. This study investigates the effect of microbial growth on dust stabilization through aggregation in order to help alleviate this problem.     

The microbial community in an alkaline saline sediment of a former maar lake bed

Journal of Soils and Sediments - The “Hoya del Rincón de Parangueo (HRP)” is a maar that contained a perennial alkaline lake that drained in the 1980s so that a sediment with high...     

Effect of environmental conditions on polychlorinated biphenyl transformations and bacterial communities in a river sediment

Purpose  

The aim of this study was to evaluate polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) removal in relation to the associated bacterial community composition in Ohio River sediments (USA) using field and laboratory approaches.     

Chlorinated and methylated dibenzothiophenes in sediment samples from a river contaminated by organochlorine wastes

Eleven sediment samples from the lower Kymijoki River were analyzed for the occurrence of polychlorinated and polymethylated dibenzothiophenes (PCDT and PMeDTs). The area was heavily polluted by wastes from a pulp chlorobleachery and by leakage from a factory producing wood preservative chlorophenol formulation Ky-5. Levels in the sediments were from <5 to 400, 200 and 50 pg g^-1 dw for tetra, penta and hexa-CDT, respectively. The concentrations of mono, di, tri and tetra-MeDTs were in the range of 1–5, 5–85, 5–500 and 15–2300 ng g^-1 dw, respectively. PCDT contents in surface sediment (0–3 cm layers) decreased by distance downstream from the bleachery and Ky-5 factory similar to those of the bound polychloroguaiacols (PCG) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDF). In contrast, PMeDT contents showed a steep increase by distance with a maximum at 32 km downstream.     

Nitrate reduction during Kjeldahl digestion of water samples by the perchlorate method

Abstract

An Investigation of the possible reduction of nitrate to ammonia during Kjeldahl digestion of soil drainage water samples by the perchlorate (+ V₂O₅ + Kl) method is reported. Non‐quantitative conversion was observed with samples containing 100 ppm or more of sucrose, an easily acid‐decomposible organic compound, and with 1000 ppm propanol, a less readily decomposible compound. No conversion was observed with samples containing either 10 ppm of sucrose or 1000 ppm of phenol.