Distributions, cycling and recovery of amino acids in estuarine waters and sediments |
| |
Authors: | A D Tappin G E Millward M F Fitzsimons |
| |
Institution: | (1) Marine Institute, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, UK |
| |
Abstract: | Acid hydrolysis of estuarine water samples for the determination of amino acids (AAs) was tested and found to be effective
at high (250 μM) nitrate concentrations when the anti-oxidant, ascorbic acid, was added to the samples. Hydrolysable AA concentrations
were then determined in surface sediments collected from low and high salinity regions of the Tamar Estuary (UK) during winter
2003 and 2004, and in overlying water when simulated resuspension of sediment particles was performed. Concentrations of AAs
in sediment samples comprised <50% of particulate nitrogen, fitting the paradigm that most sedimentary nitrogen is preserved
within an organic matrix. When sediment samples were resuspended in overlying water (salinity 17.5), the rapid, measured increase
in dissolved AA concentrations almost equalled the reported nitrate concentration in the lower estuary, with the subsequent
decrease in the total dissolved AA levels suggested that bacterial uptake was occurring. Our data concur with previous studies
on nitrogen desorption from sediments and suggest that an understanding of organic nitrogen cycling will be an important aspect
of future effective estuarine management. |
| |
Keywords: | Amino acids Tamar estuary Particulate nitrogen Acid hydrolysis Recovery Nitrate-rich water Sediment Resuspension Bacterial uptake |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|