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In-situ N2:Ar ratios describe the balance between nitrogen fixation and denitrification in shallow eutrophic experimental lakes

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Abstract

Quantifying net N2 flux, the balance between nitrogen (N) fixation and denitrification, may help inform the decades-long debate about the significance of N relative to phosphorus (P) limitation in pond, lake, and reservoir ecosystems. Dissolved N2:Ar ratios can provide information about the role of these two processes in lakes but have not been experimentally verified. We measured dissolved N2:Ar patterns in twelve experimental pond mesocosms representing a N:P gradient ranging from 7 to 835 (molar) that was driven by large differences in NO3-N availability. Mesocosms with NO3-N < 0.1 mg L−1 had N2:Ar saturation ratio values consistently below equilibrium (i.e., net N fixation), whereas mesocosms with NO3-N > 1 mg L−1 had N2:Ar values consistently above equilibrium (i.e., net denitrification, demonstrating a shift from N2 import to export as pond N availability increased). Both planktonic N fixation estimated from isotope mixing models and N2 fluxes measured by sediment core incubations confirmed a shift from net N fixation to net denitrification as NO3-N concentrations increased. N2:Ar saturation ratio values in the photic zone were negatively correlated with increasing measured N fixation while saturation ratios from benthic waters were positively correlated with increasing sediment N2-N flux. N2:Ar saturation ratios were consistently < 1 in mesocosms with low N availability and high contributions of fixed N. Mesocosms with high N loading and low N fixation had high saturation ratios indicative of denitrification in benthic samples but dissolved gases collected from the photic zone were less consistent. Our water column N2:Ar saturation ratio measurements combined with quantitative measures of N fixation and benthic N2 flux confirm that grab samples for dissolved gasses can provide critical information regarding the relative contribution of net N fixation and denitrification to balancing N availability within shallow lakes at broad scales.

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Data availability

The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the University of Mississippi Biological Field Station, particularly Scott Knight, for providing research ponds, maintenance, and logistical support for establishing pond mesocosm experimental design. Sam Testa, Bryson Nobles, Bo Nash, Terry Welch, and Mark Baker provided significant effort installing mesocosms and building docks. Victoria Simek and Alanna Strauss were integral to maintaining dosing, water quality sampling, and MIMS analysis. Steve Powers helped with sediment core collection and incubation. The Center for Reservoir and Aquatic Systems Research at Baylor University (Jeff Back) analyzed dissolved and total nutrient samples. This work was improved through review comments provided by Stephen DeVilbiss, Caleb Robbins, A. J. Reisinger, and one anonymous reviewer. Mention of trade names or commercial products in this publication is solely for the purpose of providing specific information and does not imply recommendation or endorsement by the USDA. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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This research was supported by the US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Sedimentation Laboratory, Water Quality and Ecology Research Unit, United States Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Research Service, Oxford, MS, USA

    Jason M. Taylor

  2. Department of Biology and Center for Reservoir and Aquatic Systems Research, Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA

    Isabelle M. Andersen, Alexa K. Hoke & J. Thad Scott

  3. Department of Biology, Rhodes College, Memphis, TN, USA

    Patrick T. Kelly

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  1. Jason M. Taylor
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation and data collection were performed by Jason M. Taylor, Isabelle M. Andersen, Alexa K. Hoke, Patrick T. Kelly, and J. Thad Scott. Data analyses were performed by Jason M. Taylor, Isabelle M. Andersen and J. Thad Scott. The first draft of the manuscript was written by Jason M. Taylor and J. Thad Scott and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Taylor, J.M., Andersen, I.M., Hoke, A.K. et al. In-situ N2:Ar ratios describe the balance between nitrogen fixation and denitrification in shallow eutrophic experimental lakes. Biogeochemistry 166, 283–301 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10533-023-01063-6

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