Effects of Fe(II) and organic carbon on nitrate reduction in surficial sediments of a large shallow freshwater lake

Nitrate-reducing ferrous [Fe(II)]-oxidizing (NRFO) has been reported from lake sediments as a natural reduction pathway. However, the effects of the contents of Fe(II) and sediment organic carbon (SOC) on the NRFO process still remain unclear. In this study, the influences of Fe(II) and organic carbon on nitrate reduction were analyzed quantitatively at two typical seasonal temperatures (25 degrees C representing summers and 5 degrees C for winters) by conducting a series of batch incubation experiments, using surficial sediments at the western zone of Lake Taihu (Eastern China). Results showed that Fe(II) greatly promoted NO3--N reduction by denitrification (DNF) and dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA) processes at high-temperature (25 degrees C, representing sum-mer season). As Fe (II) increased (e.g., Fe(II)/NO3- = 4), the promotion effect on NO3--N reduction was weakened, but on the other side, the DNRA process was enhanced. In comparison, the NO3--N reduction rate obviously decreased at low-temperature (5 degrees C, representing the winter season). NRFO in sediments mainly be-longs to biological rather than abiotic processes. A relatively high SOC content apparently increased the rate of NO3--N reduction (r = 0.023-0.053 mM/d), particularly on the heterotrophic NRFO. It is interesting that the Fe (II) consistently remained active in the nitrate reduction processes no matter whether SOC was sufficient in the sediment, particularly at high-temperature. Overall, the combining effects of both Fe(II) and SOC in surficial sediments made a great contribution towards NO3--N reduction and N removal in a lake system. These results provide a better understanding and estimation of N transformation in sediments of the aquatic ecosystem under different environmental conditions.

Automated summary

This study analyzed the effects of Fe(II) and organic carbon on nitrate reduction processes in lake sediments. The results showed that Fe(II) greatly promoted nitrate reduction at high temperatures, while the reduction rate decreased at low temperatures. The presence of organic carbon in sediments also influenced the nitrate reduction processes. Overall, the combination of Fe(II) and organic carbon played a significant role in nitrate reduction and nitrogen removal in lake systems.