Linking DNRA community structure and activity in a shallow lagoonal estuarine system.

ABSTRACT: Dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA) and denitrification are two nitrate respiration pathways in the microbial nitrogen cycle. Diversity and abundance of denitrifying bacteria have been extensively examined in various ecosystems. However, studies on DNRA bacterial diversity are limited, and the linkage between the structure and activity of DNRA communities has yet to be discovered. We examined the composition, diversity, abundance, and activities of DNRA communities at five sites along a salinity gradient in the New River Estuary, North Carolina, USA, a shallow temporal/lagoonal estuarine system. Sediment slurry incubation experiments with (15)N-nitrate were conducted to measure potential DNRA rates, while the abundance of DNRA communities was calculated using quantitative PC

SUBMITTER: Song B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4153293 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature