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The effects of different electron donors on anaerobic nitrogen transformations and denitrification processes in Lake Taihu sediments

  • Eutrophication in Lakes
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Abstract

Nitrogen transformations in anaerobic sediments and leachate in Lake Taihu were simulated in the laboratory. Ammonium, nitrate and nitrite were analyzed after incubation under anaerobic conditions. Different reductive states and pH values were obtained by using different electron donors, such as glucose, sucrose, potato starch and sodium acetate. Chemical nitrogen transformation mechanisms were discussed relative to physico-chemical properties of lake sediment. Results demonstrated that nitrogen transformations in anaerobic conditions supplemented with different electron donors varied, and supplementation with certain electron donors may enhance nitrogen removal from anaerobic sediments. Among the four electron donors studied, higher nitrogen removal efficiencies were observed with acetate and starch. Saccharides, such as glucose, sucrose and starch, stimulate nitrate reduction to nitrite, while acetate stimulates nitrate reduction to ammonium.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Key Project of Chinese Academy of Sciences, (Grant No.KZCX1-SW-12-II-32) and National Key Basic Research Support Foundation of China (Grant No.2002CB412304).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shuangqing Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100085, China

    Donghong Wang, Qinghui Huang, Chunxia Wang, Mei Ma & Zijian Wang

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  1. Donghong Wang
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  2. Qinghui Huang
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  3. Chunxia Wang
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  4. Mei Ma
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  5. Zijian Wang
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Correspondence to Zijian Wang.

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Wang, D., Huang, Q., Wang, C. et al. The effects of different electron donors on anaerobic nitrogen transformations and denitrification processes in Lake Taihu sediments. Hydrobiologia 581, 71–77 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-006-0499-z

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