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Role of microorganisms in mineralization processes in intertidal surface sediments subject to high temperatures: An incubation experiment

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Abstract

In order to study how N, P, Fe, Mn and S concentrations in pore waters change with time at different temperatures, an incubation experiment was carried out with surficial intertidal sediment. To evaluate the importance of benthic microorganisms, an abiotic control was established by poisoning sediment. The live and poisoned sediments were incubated for ten hours at 10, 21, 30 and 40°C. Dissolved Inorganic Nitrogen (DIN), Dissolved Reactive Phosphorus (DRP), NH4 +, total dissolved manganese (Mndiss), total dissolved iron (Fediss) and soluble inorganic sulphide (HS)t were followed in the pore water samples. Results indicated that high temperature influenced nitrification, allowing accumulation of ammonia and that microorganism activity did not seem important for Mn reduction. Anaerobic nitrification by Mn reduction was advanced as an explanation of the behaviour of DIN during the experiment.

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Rocha, C., Madureira, M.J. & Caetano, M. Role of microorganisms in mineralization processes in intertidal surface sediments subject to high temperatures: An incubation experiment. Netherlands Journal of Aquatic Ecology 29, 257–263 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02084223

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