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Controlling processes and key factors of nitrogen efflux at the sediment–water interface in a mesotrophic artificial reservoir

  • Sediments, Sec 2 • Physical and Biogeochemical Processes • Research Article
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to clarify the influx/efflux of nitrogen and the dominant influencing factors of nitrogen transformation at the sediment–water interface (SWI).

Materials and methods

Two intact sediment cores were collected from Dongfeng Reservoir (DFR) in the Wujiang River basin in December 2018 and July 2019. The cores were immediately sliced upon collection. Pore water samples were obtained by centrifugation. Different forms of inorganic nitrogen were exacted and measured by an analytical continuous flow analyzer (SEAL Analytical Limited, Germany). Particulate organic nitrogen (PON) samples were obtained after the removal of inorganic carbon and inorganic nitrogen. Stable isotopes (δ15N-PON) and the ratios of C/N were measured by a stable isotopic mass spectrometer (MAT-253) and an elemental analyzer (Elementar, Rhine main, Germany). The estimation of mineralization and diffusion flux was conducted using a first-order kinetic model and Fick’s first law, respectively.

Results and discussion

Significant seasonal variations in the concentration of nitrogen species in the pore waters of the sediment indicated that dissolved oxygen (DO) was the primary environmental factor controlling nitrogen transformation and transportation at the SWI. Mineralization and nitrification were identified as the dominant processes in the sediment profile and SWI of the DFR. The δ15N-PON and C/N ratios provided insights into the sources of PON in the sediment, with soil organic matter and livestock waste being identified as the primary contributors. The estimated endogenous diffusion fluxes of NH4+-N from sediment were 34.69 mg m−2 d−1 and 29.21 mg m−2 d−1 in the stratified period (SP) and non-stratified period (NSP), respectively. These fluxes were notably higher than those observed in most eutrophic aquatic systems, suggesting that the role of sedimentary nitrogen reservoirs in nitrogen accumulation in oligotrophic/mesotrophic environments may have been significantly underestimated.

Conclusions

Mineralization of PON and nitrification were the main processes of nitrogen transformation at the SWI in DFR. As a dominant component of inorganic nitrogen, NH4+-N exhibits high levels of endogenous release.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to Yongbo Gu and Lai Wei for field sampling and Yongmei Hou and Yusi Wang for laboratory analysis.

Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 41661144029 and 41672351) and the Science and Technology Fundamental Resources Investigation Program of China (Grant No. 2021FY101000).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Earth Sciences, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing, 100083, China

    Jie Ren & Guilin Han

  2. Tianjin Key Laboratory of Water Resources and Environment, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin, 300387, China

    Xiaolong Liu

Authors
  1. Jie Ren
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  2. Guilin Han
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  3. Xiaolong Liu
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Correspondence to Guilin Han.

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Ren, J., Han, G. & Liu, X. Controlling processes and key factors of nitrogen efflux at the sediment–water interface in a mesotrophic artificial reservoir. J Soils Sediments 23, 3527–3538 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-023-03610-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-023-03610-y

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