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Nitrate reduction activity in a continuous flow-through system in marine sediments

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Abstract

Nitrate reduction in a non-polluted, coastal marine sediment was measured with an open flow-through system. The recorded rates depended upon nitrate concentration but were largely independent of the weight of sediment (14–35 g) and the dilution rate (0.7–5 h−1). Rate of nitrate uptake followed classical Michaelis-Menten kinetics, and km and Vmax values were equal to 78μM and 0.168μm mol g−1 hour−1, respectively. These values are in good agreement with those found by the other authors for the same biotope but by different methods. This technique of the open flow-through system is fast, simple, and inexpensive and involves small quantities of sediment (∼10 g).

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Esteves, J.L., Mille, G., Blanc, F. et al. Nitrate reduction activity in a continuous flow-through system in marine sediments. Microb Ecol 12, 283–290 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02011171

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