Denitrification in Tidal River-Marsh Ecosystems

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9630532 Kana The process of denitrification (Biological conversion of nitrate to nitrogen gas) is a major mechanism for removing dissolved nitrate from water. Nitrate contamination of surface and ground waters is a growing problem worldwide. This project uses a new technique of high precision gas analysis to study denitrification in riverine and estuarine sediments. Advantages of the new method, developed by the principal investigators, include accurate and unambiguous measurement of the end product of denitrification and rapid and inexpensive analysis of samples. The research ill evaluate the effects of environmental factors including temperature, nutrient concentrations, and sediment structure on the denitrification process. This project will work towards a better understanding of the relative importance of denitrification as a removal mechanism for nitrogen nutrient loading in rivers and estuaries. This proposal was submitted to the Environmental Geochemistry and Biogeochemistry solicitation NSF 96-2. The project described is being jointly supported by the Divisions of Earth Sciences, Environmental Biology, and International Programs.