Denitrification in bottom sediment near oil production facilities off the Louisiana Gulf Coast

There is little information on denitrification in Gulf of Mexico bottom sediment. Potential denitrification rates in surface sediment were measured along transects legs extending 0-800 m from two offshore oil production platforms. The average potential denitrification ranged from approximately 50 mg N m(-2) d(-1) in surface sediment near the platforms to 15 mg N m(-2) d(-1) in sediment 800 m from the platforms. Measured denitrification rates were correlated to a higher organic matter content in sediment nearer the platforms. This research examined only a small component of nitrogen processing in Gulf of Mexico sediment. Additional research should examine the effect of nitrogen loading and temporal and spatial variability on denitrification rate.