Linking denitrification with ecosystem respiration in mountain streams

Hilary L. Madinger; Robert O. Hall

doi:10.1002/lol2.10111

Linking denitrification with ecosystem respiration in mountain streams

Hilary L. Madinger
, Robert O. Hall

Flathead Lake Biological Station

University of Wyoming

Research output: Contribution to journal › Letter › peer-review

11 Scopus citations

Abstract

Rivers denitrify a portion of their nitrate ((Formula presented.)) load, but estimates are difficult using microcosm or reach-scale measurements that require specific biogeochemical and hydrologic conditions. Measuring reach-scale oxygen (O₂) respiration fluxes is easier than nitrogen (N₂) fluxes, thus we paired microcosm estimates of denitrification by N₂ production with estimates of aerobic respiration. The median molar ratio of ΔN₂:−ΔO₂ from 13 streams was 0.011 (95% credible interval 0.0002–0.027 mol:mol). We then measured diel O₂ concentrations from 11 streams and converted to ecosystem respiration (ER) using a multiday oxygen model. Given reach-scale ER of −160 mmol O₂ m⁻² d⁻¹, the estimated median denitrification was 1.5 mmol N₂ m⁻² d⁻¹ (credible interval (CI): 0.18–4.21) across our streams. Our estimates of denitrification constituted 19% of gross (Formula presented.) uptake (CI: 0–51%). In streams, ΔN₂:−ΔO₂ was lower than in estuarine and marine ecosystems. Despite multiple sources of error, this approach estimates reach-scale denitrification and variation with (Formula presented.) concentrations.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	145-154
Number of pages	10
Journal	Limnology And Oceanography Letters
Volume	4
Issue number	5
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1002/lol2.10111
State	Published - Oct 2019

Funding

We thank Natalie Day, Molly Plemel, Brady Kohler, and Kyle Wilson for helping with field work. Thank you to Brady Kohler, Joanna Blaszczak, Ariel Gjovig, Indy Burke, Annika Walters, and anonymous reviewers for reviewing drafts of this manuscript. NSF supported the project through grants DEB‐1146283 and WyCEHG EPS‐1208909.

Funder number
WyCEHG EPS‐1208909, DEB‐1146283

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 14 Life Below Water

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10.1002/lol2.10111

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title = "Linking denitrification with ecosystem respiration in mountain streams",

abstract = "Rivers denitrify a portion of their nitrate ((Formula presented.)) load, but estimates are difficult using microcosm or reach-scale measurements that require specific biogeochemical and hydrologic conditions. Measuring reach-scale oxygen (O2) respiration fluxes is easier than nitrogen (N2) fluxes, thus we paired microcosm estimates of denitrification by N2 production with estimates of aerobic respiration. The median molar ratio of ΔN2:−ΔO2 from 13 streams was 0.011 (95\% credible interval 0.0002–0.027 mol:mol). We then measured diel O2 concentrations from 11 streams and converted to ecosystem respiration (ER) using a multiday oxygen model. Given reach-scale ER of −160 mmol O2 m−2 d−1, the estimated median denitrification was 1.5 mmol N2 m−2 d−1 (credible interval (CI): 0.18–4.21) across our streams. Our estimates of denitrification constituted 19\% of gross (Formula presented.) uptake (CI: 0–51\%). In streams, ΔN2:−ΔO2 was lower than in estuarine and marine ecosystems. Despite multiple sources of error, this approach estimates reach-scale denitrification and variation with (Formula presented.) concentrations.",

author = "Madinger, \{Hilary L.\} and Hall, \{Robert O.\}",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2019 The Authors. Limnology and Oceanography published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography.",

year = "2019",

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T1 - Linking denitrification with ecosystem respiration in mountain streams

AU - Madinger, Hilary L.

AU - Hall, Robert O.

PY - 2019/10

Y1 - 2019/10

N2 - Rivers denitrify a portion of their nitrate ((Formula presented.)) load, but estimates are difficult using microcosm or reach-scale measurements that require specific biogeochemical and hydrologic conditions. Measuring reach-scale oxygen (O2) respiration fluxes is easier than nitrogen (N2) fluxes, thus we paired microcosm estimates of denitrification by N2 production with estimates of aerobic respiration. The median molar ratio of ΔN2:−ΔO2 from 13 streams was 0.011 (95% credible interval 0.0002–0.027 mol:mol). We then measured diel O2 concentrations from 11 streams and converted to ecosystem respiration (ER) using a multiday oxygen model. Given reach-scale ER of −160 mmol O2 m−2 d−1, the estimated median denitrification was 1.5 mmol N2 m−2 d−1 (credible interval (CI): 0.18–4.21) across our streams. Our estimates of denitrification constituted 19% of gross (Formula presented.) uptake (CI: 0–51%). In streams, ΔN2:−ΔO2 was lower than in estuarine and marine ecosystems. Despite multiple sources of error, this approach estimates reach-scale denitrification and variation with (Formula presented.) concentrations.

AB - Rivers denitrify a portion of their nitrate ((Formula presented.)) load, but estimates are difficult using microcosm or reach-scale measurements that require specific biogeochemical and hydrologic conditions. Measuring reach-scale oxygen (O2) respiration fluxes is easier than nitrogen (N2) fluxes, thus we paired microcosm estimates of denitrification by N2 production with estimates of aerobic respiration. The median molar ratio of ΔN2:−ΔO2 from 13 streams was 0.011 (95% credible interval 0.0002–0.027 mol:mol). We then measured diel O2 concentrations from 11 streams and converted to ecosystem respiration (ER) using a multiday oxygen model. Given reach-scale ER of −160 mmol O2 m−2 d−1, the estimated median denitrification was 1.5 mmol N2 m−2 d−1 (credible interval (CI): 0.18–4.21) across our streams. Our estimates of denitrification constituted 19% of gross (Formula presented.) uptake (CI: 0–51%). In streams, ΔN2:−ΔO2 was lower than in estuarine and marine ecosystems. Despite multiple sources of error, this approach estimates reach-scale denitrification and variation with (Formula presented.) concentrations.

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85088566869

U2 - 10.1002/lol2.10111

DO - 10.1002/lol2.10111

M3 - Letter

AN - SCOPUS:85088566869

SN - 2378-2242

VL - 4

SP - 145

EP - 154

JO - Limnology And Oceanography Letters

JF - Limnology And Oceanography Letters

IS - 5

ER -

Linking denitrification with ecosystem respiration in mountain streams

Abstract

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UN SDGs

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