Collaborative Research: Mediation of Denitrification by Algal/bacterial Interactions in Stream Periphyton: Role of Successional Development and Species Identity

这项研究的主要目标涉及在细菌介导的过程中从溪流中去除硝酸盐（NO3），称为反硝化，其中NO3转化为生物惰性氮气。具体来说，这项工作调查了这种反硝化过程中的藻类和细菌被称为生物膜的薄膜。本研究将探讨当生物膜在溪流和河流中的硝酸盐去除的意义，效果如何变化与藻类和细菌的物种组成和物种多样性，以及在什么条件下，硝酸盐的去除最大化。在上个世纪，通过农业径流和化石燃料燃烧产物的大气沉积，溶解氮进入水生系统的数量急剧增加。地下水中的高硝酸盐（NO3）含量对健康构成重大风险，从河流排放到海洋中的NO3含量升高与沿海地区“死区”的形成有关。因此，了解细菌对硝酸盐的调节和去除过程非常重要。

The main goals of this research involve removal of nitrate (NO3) from stream water in a bacterially mediated process called denitrification where NO3 is converted to biologically inactive nitrogen gas. Specifically, the work investigates this denitrification process in films of algae and bacteria referred to as biofilms. This research will investigate when biofilms in streams and rivers are of significance in removing nitrates, how the effectiveness varies with the algal and bacterial species composition and species diversity, and under what conditions the nitrate removal by biofilm is maximized. Input of dissolved nitrogen into aquatic systems, via agricultural runoff and atmospheric deposition of products of fossil-fuel combustion, has increased dramatically over the last century. High nitrate (NO3) content in groundwater poses significant health risks, and elevated NO3 loads discharged into the ocean from rivers are implicated in the formation of ''dead zones'' in coastal areas. Thus, understanding the process of this nitrate regulation and removal by bacteria is highly important.